Tony Defries is a British former record producer and pop manager, and more recently inventor.
DeFries worked in the 1960s music scene with such figures as Mickie Most, Allen Klein, before turning his attention to David Bowie.[1] Defries' company MainMan had a management structure that combined ingredients of the movie studio with those of the independent producer/record label/music publisher.
Defries represented Bowie through his rise to stardom, as well as helping to launch the solo careers of Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson, Mott the Hoople, Luther Vandross and John Mellencamp.
His MainMan Group of companies assisted in the creation of many independent record and publishing companies that were later acquired by major conglomerates. He pioneered work in mixed media by using digital controls for sound, light and special effects in live performance.
DeFries is CEO of Matter, Inc. a private energy company founded in 2004. During the past decade he has secured patents for inventions in broadband digital wireless and information technology while pursuing materials research and free-space optical projects.[2]