- DETROIT: Steve Lillywhite wants to "help America find the next Elvis Presley." And that's why the Grammy Award-winning producer — whose resume includes work with U2, the Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Morrissey, the Rolling Stones, Phish and scores of others — wants to be "American Idol's" next Simon Cowell.
The British-born, New York-based Lillywhite has mounted a full-scale campaign to be considered for the job Cowell will be vacating after this season of the hit show to helm the US rollout of his British TV series "The X Factor." Lillywhite has hired an agent and publicist.
He also has posted a short clip on YouTube extolling his bona fides, and he recently filmed "a slightly more professional" video that will be out soon.