David Leaf is best known for his feature documentaries on James Brown, John Lennon, Brian Wilson and The Bee Gees. His resume is filled with television credits including dozens of legendary programs such as being of one of the writers on the Emmy-winning landmark 9/11, All-Network “Telethon America: A Tribute To Heroes”.
That program earned him a Peabody Award. That same year, Leaf wrote & produced TNT’s acclaimed “An-All Star Tribute To Brian Wilson” & was a producer of the Emmy-nominated “Billy Joel: In His Own Words” (A&E).
Most recently, Leaf wrote and directed the feature documentary on the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Dion: “Born To Cry” (in post-production), wrote, produced & directed “To Tell The Truth”, (a film about the WWII Japanese internment camps) and was a consultant for the White Horse Pictures production of Frank Marshall’s 2020 HBO feature documentary, The Bee Gees: “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?”
As a narrative writer, Leaf has written for features, TV sitcoms & stage.
As an author, a brand new-massively updated edition of his groundbreaking, acclaimed Brian Wilson biography, “God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson”, the “Beach Boys and the California Myth”, will be published June 30th by Omnibus Press. Leaf was Grammy-nominated for writing the books for and producing “The Pet Sounds Sessions”.
He also wrote “The Bee Gees, The Authorized Autobiography “& the Beatles and Beach Boys chapters for Capitol Records’ 50th Anniversary book.
Since 2010, Professor David Leaf has been teaching standing room only undergraduate courses at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music: Docs That Rock, Docs, That Matter, Songwriters on Songwriting and The Reel Beatles.
Here are just a few testimonials from some of David’s industry fans:
“David Leaf knows story-telling and music like few others. He possesses the rarest kind of talent — he’ll shine a light on the great works of the past, while also creating new works of magic and soul himself.”
Cameron Crowe, award-winning writer/director of “Almost Famous”, “Jerry Maguire”, “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”
“David Leaf has been at the forefront of some of the most important stories in popular music. In the over the 20 years I’ve known him I’ve found him to be a great chronicler of how culture shapes our world. His love and knowledge for the music come through his storytelling every time. I’m always excited to see what he’s making next.”
Morgan Neville Academy Award winning director
David Leaf is a trusted friend, talented director, conceptualist and visionary. I find him extremely inspiring as a person of conscience and fair play.
I look forward to the day when we begin production on the dramatic series and documentaries we’re developing.”
Brian Hardgroove/Public Enemy / Audio Rhythm Theory
“David Leaf is quite simply the best at what he does. No one is more knowledgeable about music and pop culture. His writing, producing skills are superb.”
Ted Harbert, former Chairman NBC, President & CEO of Comcast, Chairman ABC-TV Entertainment