Michael Friedman

I guess I could say that my career began at Staples High School. 

Along with Barry Tashian, Mike Youngman and Rick DelVecchio we formed the first R&R band in Westport. We were known as The Schemers. Unknowingly, that would set the stage for the rest of my life. Rock and Roll was a baby at that time and I was hooked. 

I went on to college at the University of Arizona where I continued to play drums and began recording records on weekends in Los Angeles with my friend from Westport Mike Borchetta.

After college I got a job as a publicist for The Bee Gees, The Hollies, and Glen Campbell. Later, I was managing and producing a young Todd Rundgren. One thing led to another and somehow I managed to get a job with Albert Grossman who was the manager of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Band, and many others. 

I was probably the luckiest kid in America or as my wife Donna calls me, Forest Gump. I would later join Clive Davis at Arista Records in New York until my love of American country antiques and Folk Art lured me away from the Music business and back to Westport where I opened The Friedman Gallery and subsequently Artafax. That’s where I met and fell in love with my wife Donna who owned her shop Papago, next door to Artafax. I then opened 3 restaurants, 2 Ash Creek Saloons and The Goose Bistro. 

We have 3 fabulous daughters (2 from a previous marriage and 1 of our own. And, so far 4 grandchildren) 

We live in Rowayton and I am still working (sort of). 

It’s been a long and winding road, but one I wouldn’t trade with anyone. 

Looking forward to the reunion.

The schemers.   Staples cafeteria 1960

Left to right: Barry Tashian ('63),  Rick DelVechhio, Michael Friedman ('61) , Mike Youngman ('61)

Photo courtesy of Michaael Friedman