David Leaf

David Leaf
Leaf in 2022
Born (1952-04-20) April 20, 1952 (age 72)
Occupations
  • Writer
  • film and television producer
  • director
Years active1968-present
Websiteleafprod.com

David Leaf (born April 20, 1952) is an American writer, director, and producer who is best known for his associations with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys since the late 1970s.[1]

Leaf's 1978 biography, The Beach Boys and the California Myth, examined the behind-the-scenes tensions and family history that had never been previously covered publicly. According to music critic Richie Unterberger, Leaf was "the first author to write extensively, and honestly, about the Beach Boys."[2]

Leaf also wrote the first authorized biography of the Bee Gees.[3]

His honors include a Peabody and WGAW award.[4][5] Since 2010, Leaf has been a professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.[6]

  1. ^ Brenner, Sean (September 18, 2019). "UCLA introduces scholarship named for Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson". UCLA Newsroom.
  2. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "David Leaf". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "About David". leafprod.com.
  4. ^ "America: A Tribute to Heroes". Peabody Awards. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Writers Guild Awards Winners: 2005–1996". Writers Guild of America. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "David Leaf". UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Retrieved June 15, 2024.