Another Cable Co. Leaps Into Vid Retail

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VOLUME 101 NO. 39 THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT September 30, 1989/$4.50 (U.S.), $5.50 (CAN.), £3.50 (U.K.)
Other Majors Will Cut Back Their Releases
Heat From FCC Sparks NAB
WEA To Deep -Six Vinyl 45s In '90
Study On Self-Monitoring
had made its decision two days earli- Other labels, while reporting cas- ter.
BY BILL HOLLAND er, on the heels of the NAB's Radio BY BRUCE HARING sette singles sales that far outstrip While WEA spokesmen refuse to
WASHINGTON, D.C. Bowing to '89 convention in New Orleans. and THOM DUFFY those of 7 -inch vinyl, say they have put an exact date on the end of the
pressure from new FCC chairman (Complete Radio '89 coverage be- NEW YORK The 7 -inch vinyl sin- no immediate plans to eliminate the 7 -inch vinyl single's general avail-
Alfred Sikes, who says he wants an gins on page 12.) gle is being phased out at the WEA configuration. Still, they point to ability, WEA president Henry Droz
end to so-c alled indecent program- The NAB's quick decision to look labels. By early next year, it is ex- the move away from vinyl singles says, "Jan. 1 looks like a pretty
ming, the National Assn. of Broad- at a programming code reflects the pected that WEA will stop offering by the record industry's largest good date, but I don't want to hang
casters has instructed its staff to seriousness with which broadcast - 45s to its customers, except for company as a factor that may has- my hat on it. But it's definitely com-
conduct a feasibil- (Continued on page 16) some specialty accounts. ten their own decisions on the mat- ing up." He reports WEA cassette
singles are outselling vinyl this
ity study of a
NAB new, voluntary month by 10 to 1, with vinyl 45 sales
programming Another Cable Co. Leaps Into Vid Retail "dropping precipitously" over the
last six months.
code.
"I think there's very little ques-
REPORT The announce-
ment of the This story was prepared by Earl influence in the U.S. The newest tie - valued at $15 each, for a total equity tion [7 -inch vinyl] will die of its own
study -which Paige in Los Angeles and Don Jef- in, announced Sept. 19, is a 100 -store investment of $15 million. weight at some point," Droz says.
would examine the legal and legisla- frey in New York. franchising deal with Cox Cable Sixteen months ago, Blockbuster "Whether Jan. 1 is the magical date,
tive effectiveness of such a code Communications. sealed a similar franchising pact I don't know."
amnod naistsoersisn gm -ecmabmer es uSppeport.t fo1r9 ,s eallf-- LteOrtSa inAmNeGnEt iLs EfSo rmBinlgo cak sbeucsotnedr lEinnk- whTichhe owAntsl acnatbale - bsayssteedm sc oanmdp raandyio, wtemiths , aDneonthveerr - boawsende r Uonfi tceadb Aler tsiystss- ue Dtoro zm aadndusf atchtautr eW vEinAy lw oilnl cao nstpine--
though the NAB executive board with cable television that will ex- stations, has bought 1 million newly Entertainment. Since then, a UA (Continued on page 88)
pand the giant video chain's size and issued shares of Blockbuster stock, (Continued on page 84)
WEA, EMI Use ADVERTISEMENTS CBS Revises
Singles Returns,
Monoline Method
Incentive Plans
To Produce CDs
This story was prepared by Susan BY KEN TERRY
Nunziata in New York and Nigel
Hunter in London. NEW YORK Responding to objec-
tions from accounts about its 20%
returns processing charge on cas-
NEW YORK A new generation of
monoline CD production technology sette singles, CBS Records has re-
is being adopted by the manufactur- vised its policy on both those items
ing divisions of two major labels, and 12 -inch vinyl singles. In the pro-
cess, it has introduced its first -ever
EMI and WEA.
EMI is equipping its fourth CD incentive /disincentive program for
manufacturing plant with the latest front -line product.
monoline system, which eliminates Under the new policy, announced
most of the need for clean rooms Sept. 13, the equivalent -list price of
and combines all stages of CD pro- cassette singles will be increased
dUudPcetrnioo dniun ic ntthtiooe n o Nnaete ttshheeelrf l-pa clnaodnnstt,,a lionisce adstc euhdne iditn-. "aJIArtr'Msiv eEbdSe e oMnn CathMlme UopRsotT ptR wsYoc, e dane esc,ia"n dgraeevsr /e sssoi nnTcghewe s rNiutecehrw af r Yopmour krTe Te sximtaoesr syw taehblloeosrue t esLoxo l-oole kasLd Pt h sNaintO gkTei lrl F. oASf KoHuINnadn' sIoT i .tR hFaoetc kaAstNu, rNibnIlHga sItLthsAe Tt otEr a!t hcMkes It Co"DpH eAwaEidthL, hMJiasOi l,dN eORbrOu tE , fsthraolaemn c$$o21s..4t4 99w ,t ioltl h$re2i s.9ep8 r,it coae n $dl1 e.t5vh5ee,l wrsaehttoh leienr-
uled to start in mid -1990. The facili- insights into the American heartland are "rich with detail and Rock 'n Roll ", "All Night With The Lights On" and "Man With No CBS' Aug. 24 letter to accounts.
ty is expected to cost $16 million and emotion." "TOO LONG IN THE WASTELAND" FC 45229 is the Eyes ". On Mercury LPs, CDs and CTs. (838 627 -1 /2/4) Accept The equivalent list of 12- inch vi-
(Continued on page 85) COLUMBIA debut album, featuring PAINTING BY NUMBERS. NO imitations. (Continued on page 81)
Produced by John Mellencamp.
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LOOK FOR THEIR U.S. TOUR STARTING IN OCTOBER!
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H
IGHWAY
PAINT
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THEY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. A SENSATIONAL DEBUT ALBUM SPAWNED FOUR SMASH SINGLES. A SECOND ALBUM ROCKETED UP THE COUNTRY
CHARTS. ALONG THE WAY, THEY WERE NAMED TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR BY BOTH THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND THE COUNTRY
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_
____
_
_-_ ___ _-M_-I-_ -NM ---__- - Personics Corp. Gets $15 Mil Boost
- --- -- - MMM =_ WCI Among Custom -Tape Co.'s Backers
10. - -----
_ _
_ _
1 vestment company; and TAG Inves- Goldman says. "It's strictly an in-
BY BRUCE HARING tors, a private investment group. vestment on their part. The invest-
NEW YORK An investment group The investment in Personics to- ment being made is clearly for a dis-
VOLUME 101 NO. 39 SEPTEMBER 30, 1989 that includes Warner Communica- tals $12 million, with an additional tinct minority interest in the compa-
tions Inc. has pumped $15 million $3 million in lease financing commit- ny"
into the Personics Corp., with the ted to Personics by a set of major fi- Goldman says talks on obtaining
A `NATION' IS BORN monies targeted toward a faster nancial institutions. Personics de- investors began shortly after "we
Janet Jackson's newest album, "Rhythm Nation 1814," is a contempo- rollout in the U.S. and Canada for clines to say how much equity inter- determined that the L.A. rollout
rary, streetwise recording that, while addressing such pressing issues as the in -store custom -taping machine. est was purchased, or rank the was successful from a tactical point
education and the general state of humanity, keeps the preaching to a Besides WCI, Personics' new eq- investors as to their commitments. of view. We knew we wanted to
uity partners include Texas finan- Elliott Goldman, chairman of Per- take a more aggressive stance on
minimum. Bill Coleman reports. Page 33 cier Robert Bass & Associates; Aca- sonics, says the investment will not the rollout throughout the country,
WHEREHOUSE STOCKS ENTHUSIASM dia Partners L.P., a $1.6 billion pri- affect the management or direction and for that we'd need a bigger eq-
vate investment partnership; of the company. uity base."
Billboard's Earl Paige covered the recent Wherehouse Entertainment Prospect Group, a publicly held in- "There'll be nothing different," WCI is the second known compa-
convention in Los Angeles, which stressed the need for the chain's store ny with a record division to invest in
managers to provide leadership to their employees. Page 43 Personics. U.K. -based Thorn -EMI
was an early Personics backer; its
UNDERDOG TO THE RESCUE! Brian Wilson Seeks Song stake is believed to be about $2.5
Los Angeles -based Underdog Films is a new video production company million.
Goldman said the WCI cash in-
dNeadthicaante hda tso tphreo mstoortiyn.g the careers of black music video directoPrsa.g Dea 6vi7d Royalties In $100 Mil Suit fpluurxp owseass. strictly for investment
It should not be looked upon as a
CD ON THE RISE WORLDWIDE
also seeks an accounting of royal- joint venture or partnership," Gold-
Trade associations in Japan, France, and the Netherlands report vast BY CHRIS MORRIS ties- presumably in the millions man says. "This is strictly an invest-
increases in CD production for the current year. Vinyl, meanwhile, con- LOS ANGELES Brian Wilson, of dollars- earned by 100 songs ment on the part of Warner. This
tinues its downward slide. Shig Fujita, Philippe Crocq, and Willem Hoos the principal songwriter of the written or co- written by Wilson way they can make money from our
file from overseas. Page 69 Beach Boys, has sued A &M Rec- between 1962 and 1969 for the revenue stream and as an investor."
ords, its publishing subsidiary Beach Boys' publishing company, Goldman says other major labels
BILLBOARD '89 RADIO AWARDS Page 24 Almo-Irving Music, and the promi- Sea Of Tunes. were approached about investing in
nent L.A. entertainment law firm The songs include such best- the company.
MUSIC of Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, selling Beach Boys classics as WCI's investment was made
seeking more than $100 million in "California Girls," "Help Me through a special nonvoting series
74 Album & Singles Reviews 69 International rreeaslt oanrad tpiounni titvoe Wdaimlsaogne so afn dso tnhge R"Fhuonn dFa,u"n "FGuonod," Vainbdr a"tiIo nGs,e"t oWf arPneerrs owniillc sh apvree ftehrer epde rsmhaanreens.t
26 Black 62 Jazz /Blue Notes copyrights bought by Almo-Irving Around"- many of which have right to designate a representative
36 Boxscore 31 Latin Notas in 1969. been used in motion pictures and to attend Personics' board meet-
71 Canada 83 Lifelines The suit, filed in Superior Court adapted for TV advertisements in ings. Warner announced that the
8 Chartbeat 83 Market Action here Sept. 18, charges the defen- recent years. representative would be Jac Holz-
63 Classical /Keeping Score 67 Music Video dants with fraud, breach of con- Wilson's suit alleges that the man, founder of Elektra Records
68 Clip List 73,83 Newsmakers tract, and misrepresentation. It (Continued on page 88) and chief technologist for WCI.
(Continued on page 78)
11 Commentary 20 Power Playlists
37 Country 60 Pro Audio /Video
33 Dance Trax 12 Radio Rentals Can Be Returned At Any Of 56 Virginia Units
6 Executive Turntable 43 Retailing
31 Gospel Lectern 44 Retail Track Erol's Initiates Yid Drop-Off-Anywhere Test
45 Grass Route 29 Rossi's Rhythm Section
79 Hot 100 Singles Spotlight 34 Talent
Blockbuster Entertainment fran- Magic '89 coincided with the cele-
90 Inside Track 83 Update BY BILL HOLLAND chiser Barry Zale plans to open 38 bration of the chain's 200th store.
VIDEO WASHINGTON, D.C. Erol's Inc., new stores in the Washington metro Bellini also announced that Erol's
the Springfield, Va. -based video area, Erol's home turf, about half of plans to "beef up" efforts in estab-
54 Box Office 48A Music Videocassettes chain, has announced a drop- off -at- them in the test area. Nevertheless lished markets, but added there are
55 Coming Soon 58 Store Monitor any- location test policy at 56 of its observers think it will be difficult no plans for major new market ex-
northern Virginia stores beginning for Blockbuster's less centralized pansion this fiscal year. That rein-
48A Home Video 59 Videocassette Rentals Oct. 1. It appears to be the first stores here to implement a similar forcement effort includes 20 new
58 Top Kid Video 52 Videocassette Sales large chain to initiate such a cus- policy. stand- alone stores, 20 store- within-
51 Recreational Sports 55 Video Retailing tomer- convenience policy. Erol's dropped its membership a -store operations in the Peoples
51 Self Improvement 53 Video Reviews The announcement came at the fees this summer in reaction to Drug Stores chain, and remodeling
third annual Erol's convention, Blockbuster's arrival. (Continued on page 91)
MUSIC CHARTS
Magic '89, in nearby Chantilly, Va.,
Sept. 18 -20. Erol's president, Carl
Top Albums Hot Singles Bellini, said the company will con-
27 Black 17 Adult Contemporary sider going chainwide with the poli- Belgian Super Club Bows
63 Classical 28 Black cy if after looking "hard and close"
44 Compact Disks 29 Black Singles Action at the test results in mid -November
38 Country 40 Country he feels confident the company can Unique Video Rental Units
implement the plan. Initially, there
72 Hits of the World 41 Country Singles Action will be a 50 -cent customer charge
62 Jazz 32 Dance for the service. The Belgian company, which is
18 Modern Rock Tracks 72 Hits of the World Bellini said he thinks Erol's can BY JIM McCULLAUGH in the process of acquiring U.S.
86 Pop 31 Hot Latin handle the policy because of its LOS ANGELES -Ita's not a video video retail chains through its Su-
18 Rock Tracks 7796 HHoott 110000 Singles Action hcoungsei dceernedtr aolnizee dof ctohme pbuetsetr inf atchieli tiny-, vtheantd hinags mnoatc chainueg ht onte -cbhunot liot giys pSeepr t.C l2u3b), Nsa.Ays. idt ivhiassi ojnu s(Bt irlelbceoiavredd,
dustry, and because no stores are claimed to be a superior close a U.S. patent number for the self -
81 Crossover franchised. cousin designed to deliver similar service video dispensing system.
CLASSIFIED/ REAL ESTATE Page 65 "Balancing" of shifted tapes benefits for mass merchants, con- Meanwhile, the company has cor-
from store to store would be accom- venience stores, grocery stores, responding patent applications
©Copyright 1989 by BPI Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Affiliated Publications Inc. No part of this plished in a one -day turnaround and and others wanting to participate pending in Japan, certain Europe-
publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any through UPS service, he said. Par- in the home video business. an countries, South Korea, Tai-
mofe tahnes , peulbelcistrhoenri.c , BmILeLcBhaOnAicRaDl, pMhAoGtoAcZoIpNyEin g(I,S SreNc o0rd0in0g6, -o2r5 o1t0he) rwis ispeu, bwliisthhoeudt wtheee kplryi or(e wxcreittpet nf opre rtmheis sfiirosnt ticularly targeted in the plan will be Patterned after a similar Mr. wan, Brazil, Australia, and Cana-
week in January) by BPI Communications Inc., One Astor Plaza, 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036. the chain's less active and nonactive Video rental system in Europe, it da.
SSuubbssccrriippttiioonn rSaeter:v iacnen Lutadl .,r aPtee, rCryomnotinuennt taRl oaUd.,S .H $a1yw78ar.d0s0 . HCeoanthti,n eWnetaslt ESuusrosepxe, £E1n6g5l.a nBdi.l lbRoaegrdis, teQreuda daras nta members. is now being offered by Super The basic system is a two-cabi-
newspaper at the British Post Office. Japan Y92,000. Music Labo, Inc., Dempa Building, 2nd Floor, 11 -2, The Erol's exec, who took over Club N.V., Europe's largest home net piece with two clear glass
1N-. YC.h aonmde ,a tN aidgadsithioi-n Galo tmanadilain, gS ohfifnicaegsa.w aP -oksut,m Taosktyeor ; 1p4le1a,s eJ aspeannd. cSheacnogneds colaf sasd dproesstsa gteo Bpiallibdo aartd N, ePw.O Y. oBrokx, management reins at the chain in entertainment retail web, which doors housing videocassettes
2071, Mahopac, N.Y. 10541 -2071. Current and back copies of Billboard are available on microfilm from July, said there is "absolutely no boasted revenues of $100 million stacked on shelves library -style.
KZeraeubs R Moaicdr,o fAornmn , AOrbnoer ,W Maitcehr. S4t8re1e0t,6 .W Shiuteb Pslcarinibse, rN S.Ye.r v1ic0e6s0 1a nodr XInefroorxm Uantiiovenr:s Bityil lbMoaicrrdo,f ilPm.Os., B3o0x0 2N0o7r1th, connection" between the announce- last year. (Continued on page 84)
Mahopac, N.Y. 10541 -2071, 914- 628 -7771. ment and the recent news that
BILLBOARD SEPTEMBER 30, 1989 5
www.americanradiohistory.com
Dealers Fall For Restocking Offers
CEMA's Hit Discount Among Highlights
and midlines buy -in periods started The WEA program includes a 6%
BY ED CHRISTMAN Sept. 5 and run through Friday (29). discount on each of the following
NEW YORK Although retailers Joe McFadden, CEMA VP of lines: the top 100 cassettes of the
consider the restocking programs sales, says the company's program Super Savers Series; the top 100 cat-
offered this fall to be fairly typical, is a "little bit wider" than last alog cassettes with list prices of
they say they are grateful for any year's, when midlines weren't in- $8.98 and above; and CDs with list
deals placed under their Christmas cluded. prices above $15.98. In addition,
trees by the labels. WEA's fall program impresses WEA offers a 10% discount on all
Highlights of the programs cited Gino Vacco, purchasing manager at CDs with a $15.98 list price.
by retailers include: the 33 -unit Kemp Mills Records, The dating of the program allows
CBS offering sales on 20 hits based in Beltsville, Md. "By far the retailers to pay for half of their Su-
and CEMA discounting about 30 hit most encompassing deal is the one per Savers and Top 100 catalog or-
titles. from WEA," Vacco says. "They ders in December, with the remain-
March dating provided on some have almost the entire catalog on der due in January. By George, I Think He's Got It. George Michael is all smiles as he receives
the MTV Video Vanguard Award. Pictured, from left, are Michael Lippman,
BMG orders. deal." (Continued on page 89)
Michael's management; Tommy Mottola, president, CBS Records division;
Long buy- in periods offered by
Michael; and Bob Kahane, Michael's management.
WEA and PolyGram.
A vinyl deal offered by A &M-
the only label to do so. Retail Chain Bans Sales Of
Programs are fairly typical, "but
we are always glad to see them," EXECUTIVE TURNTABLE
i
says Harold Guilfoil, head buyer at Explicit Records To Mirrors
WaxWorks, based in Owensboro,
Ky. RECORD COMPANIES. Epic Records in New York makes the following appoint-
"The most aggressive would be troversy over 2 Live Crew's lyrics ments: La'Verne Perry, VP of publicity /black music; Cheryl Dickerson,
the CEMA program," says Gary BY EDWARD MORRIS erupted. VP of A &R /black music West Coast; and Troy White, director of national
Shulman, VP at the 107 -unit Wall To NASHVILLE The 70 -store However, Hutchinson reports, progressive music. They were, respectively, manager of publicity, East
Wall Sound & Video chain, based in Sound Shop chain headquartered the formal prohibitions did not go Coast, senior director of A &R at MCA Records, and regional director of
Cinnaminson, N.J. "They are offer- here is now proscribing the sale of into effect until about a month promotion in Cleveland.
ing a lot of deals and programs and albums with salacious lyrics to ago. He explains, "We have a sign CBS Records in Los Angeles names Kathryn Malta director of music li-
are willing to spend a lot of money people under 18 years old. While placed in all our stores that says, censing. She was manager of A &R /Video administration for the label.
developing artists." store managers are currently `Must be 18 years or older to pur- SBK Records Group in Los Angeles appoints Arthur Mogul! senior VR
CEMA is offering 7% discounts charged with deciding which al- chase product with explicit lyr- He was consultant for special projects at the company.
on about 30 hit titles and a select bums will be restricted, Central ics-ID required.' " Fran Musso is promoted to West Coast director of artist and product de-
group of catalog titles for both cas- South, the chain's owner, is con- At present, albums are stick - velopment at Chrysalis Records in Los Angeles. She was senior director of
settes and CDs. In addition, cas- sidering a stickering policy that ered only if they come that way marketing and publicity for the label.
sette versions of certain midline ti- will make the restrictions uniform. from the manufacturer, Hutchin- David Gerber is promoted to VP /GM of Restless Records in Los Ange-
tles and the $6.98 Preferred Price Paul Hutchinson, Sound Shop son adds. les. He was GM for the label.
line are being solicited at a 7% dis- coordinator, says the network be- He agrees that it is difficult to
count. All CEMA deals carry De- gan preparing itself for this selec- determine which albums to target:
cember dating. tive sales policy more than a year "We have a problem with that-
The CEMA hits program ran and a half ago, when public con- (Continued on page 78)
from Aug. 28 -Sept. 22; the catalog
New Acts, Revived Talent Help Labels To Rebound
Smith Spells Out Capitol-EMI Turnaround PERRY DICKERSON WHITE MOGULL
Stan Layton is named VP /GM of DCC Compact Classics in Los Angeles.
morale at both labels and, according company, it's going someplace, and He was VP /GM at Allegiance Records.
BY DAVE DiMARTINO to Joe Smith, president and CEO of the people inside all feel it- because Angel Records in Washington, D.C., appoints Risa Bridges regional sales
LOS ANGELES The recent string Capitol -EMI Music Inc., changed they're doing it." & promotion manager, Southeast. She was an advertising coordinator and
of gold and platinum albums for the the industry's overall perception of Leading the labels' resurgence staff assistant at CEMA.
Capitol and EMI labels -by such the company. have been recent efforts by EMI's
artists as M.C. Hammer, Great "I think there's a feeling of pride Marx, whose "Repeat Offender" PUBLISHING. EMI Music Publishing in New York appoints Jody Gerson VP
White, and the Beastie Boys on Cap- in these labels now," says Smith. has been certified double platinum of creative operations /East Coast. She was director of creative operations
itol and Richard Marx, Roxette, and "We stand up and we're not 'trou- by the Recording Industry Assn. of at Warner /Chappell.
Queensryche on EMI -and a nota- bled' -that word has disappeared America; Capitol's M.C. Hammer Leiber & Stoller Productions /Publishing Inc. in Los Angeles promotes
ble resurgence in the careers of la- now, they're not going to say the and Great White, each of whom Randy Poe to executive VP /GM, and names Joan Schulman VP of licens-
bel acts Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, 'troubled Capitol -EMI.' It's a profit- went platinum with "Let's Get It ing & administration. They were, respectively, GM for the company and di-
and the Doobie Bros., have boosted able company, it's an aggressive Started" and "Twice Shy," respec- rector of copyright & contract administration for EMI Music Publishing.
tively; Paul McCartney, the Beastie
Boys, Raitt, and the Doobies, all of
whom scored gold for Capitol with
MTV To flestn,cture In their latest albums; and Roxette
and Queensryche, who likewise
went gold for EMI.
Wake Of Masters'Exit Similarly, in one year, the labels
have scored 12 top 10 singles on the
Hot 100 chart, including three No. 1
He resigned, in part, because hits: Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Wor- GERBER LAYTON BRIDGES GERSON
BY MELINDA NEWMAN he was not named president of ry, Be Happy" (EMI), Poison's "Ev-
NEW YORK MTV will not bring the channel during the compa- ery Rose Has Its Thorn" (Capitol/ Bernard Kerner is named VP of finance for the National Music Publish-
in a replacement for Lee Mas- ny's restructuring last May. Enigma), and Marx's "Right Here ers' Assn. Inc. in New York, while continuing as VP of finance for NMPA's
ters, who resigned Sept. 18 as the "John [Reardon] got the presi- Waiting," as well as hot tracks by licensing subsidiary, the Harry Fox Agency.
channel's VP /GM. dency. He'd done a fabulous job Robert Palmer, Duran Duran, Sher- The Harry Fox Agency in New York names Yoshio Inomata director of
Instead, Masters' position will in sales and I thought I'd give it a iff, Ann Wilson /Robin Zander, Rox- licensing. He was international business manager for the company.
be filled through an internal re- shot and see how it worked out," ette, Donny Osmond, Cole, and
organization, according to MTV Masters says. "But there's really Great White.
Networks chairman and CEO not room for a president and a "Metal rolled down on us here DISTRIBUTION /RETAIL. Variety Audio Co. Inc. in Farmingdale, N.Y., promotes
Tom Freston, who says the de- general manager. It's really one over a three- or four- month period," James M. Goldstein to president of international operations and Victor
tails will be announced by the position and there were two guys says Smith, "and our numbers are Grossman to VP of rackjobbing operations. They were, respectively, VP of
end of the month. here." very good -we're way ahead of pro- rackjobbing and a salesman for the company.
Masters, who joined MTV in "It wore on Lee," admits Fres- jections and way ahead of last year.
1986, was responsible for the ton. "The fact that he wasn't ap- It's been a rather flat year in the
overall programming and pro- pointed president was definitely record busines, but we're going for RELATED FIELDS. Aristo Publicity and Media Services in Nashville promotes
duction of the channel and its in- a factor." it." Craig Campbell to VP of promotion and marketing, and names Craig
ternational affiliates. (Continued on page 78) That the company is "way ahead" "Cab" Bann video promotion assistant. They were, respectively, director of
(Continued on page 85) video operations and an intern for the company.
6 BILLBOARD SEPTEMBER 30, 1989
www.americanradiohistory.com
OF
BE A PART IT.
JANET JACKSON'S
RHYTHM
NATION
An hour of music and
dance, featuring "Rhythm
Nation;' "Miss You Much"
and more.
Includes Janet Jackson's
Rhythm Nation, a 30- minute
musical drama featuring songs
from her latest album and
Project 1814: Rhythm Nation,
a documentary taking you
behind the scenes.
Also available on laser disc.
In solicitation through your BMG
sales representative now.
VC 61900, $24.98 sug_ested retail price.
LV 38408, $2938 suggested retail price.
VIDFQ o 1989 A& M Records,. lac. All rights reserved.
www.americanradiohistory.com
Interstate Takes Stock At Confab
Racker Chief Sounds Industry Warning
dent Dick Greenwald, who hosted phrase used decades ago by the late
BY IRV LICHTMAN Interstate's third annual sales Dave Kapp, founder of Kapp Rec-
HUNT VALLEY, Md. As it pr-e- meeting Sept. 14- 17. ords, to describe business dealings
pares for a "Decade Of Success" The convention drew some 100 at- of another era, says, "In the 25
the theme of its 1989 sales conven- tendees, including Interstate staff- years I've spent in the business, I've
tion here -Northeast rackjobber In- ers and vendor reps. In addition to seen cycles of rational and intelli-
terstate Group Inc. says an other- record company and home video gent logic and periods of `profitless
wise bright future is clouded by an presentations, 47 companies were prosperity' -we're in that ominous
"ominous cycle" of "profitless pros- exhibitors at a two -hour trade show cycle again."
perity." Sept. 15. To underscore his view, Green- Platinum "Life." MCA executives present Jody Watley with a platinum record
This is the view of company presi- Greenwald, borrowing a classic wald turns to two hot videos as ex- for her album "Larger Than Life." Shown, from left, are A.D. Washington, VP of
amples. "Some of our competitors R &B promotion; Al Teller, chairman, MCA Music Entertainment Group; Watley;
are selling Bambi' at 11 cents below producer /artist Andre Cymone; Richard Palmese, executive VP /GM, MCA; Louil
Confab Finds Strawberries ` (Continued on page 85) Silas Jr., senior VP, R &B A &R; and manager Bennett Freed.
Chain Still Ripe For Growth
Young M.C. Upstages Stones, Crue, Aero;
King and echoed by other execs of
BY JIM BESSMAN the Milford, Mass. -based group,
WESTFORD, Mass. The Westford was one of "excitement and antici-
Regency Inn & Conference Center pation." Clearly, Strawberries has Maze Leaps; Top 10 Finds Cure, Bee Gees
in the quiet Massachusetts woods entered a new era of rapid store
offered a tranquil setting for the growth as well as increased focus
fourth Strawberries Records, Tapes on nonmusic product lines, thus de- THE BIG BOYS -the Rolling Stones, Motley No. 123 to No. 50 in its second week on the pop al-
& Compact Discs convention, which parting from founder and former Crue, and Aerosmith -make their expected big bums chart. It's Maze's fastest -rising album to date.
ran Sept. 16 -19. The tranquility owner Morris Levy's more conser- jumps this week, but they're upstaged by rapper The latest albums by three other pop veterans are
stood in marked contrast to such vative approach. Young M.C., whose debut album, "Stone Cold Rhy- also moving strongly. Alice Cooper's "Trash"
turbulent events as the 85 -store "Strawberries has historically min'," vaults from No. 155 to No. 43 in its second jumps to No. 24, becoming his highest- charting al-
chain's buyout early this year by been `lean, lean, lean,' with a purist week on the Top Pop Albums chart. Young M,C., bum since "Welcome To My Nightmare" in 1975; the
LIVE Entertainment Inc. and the philosophy of just records," said previously best known as the co- writer of Tone B -52's' "Cosmic Thing" jumps to No. 28, becoming
recent slaying of LIVE's chairman Roger R. Smith, LIVE's acting pres- Loc's smash singles "Wild ThBing" and "Funky Col d its top charter since "Wild Planet" in 1980; and Po-
and CEO, Jose Menendez. ident and chief operating officer, in Medina," also leaps from No. 18 to No. 11 on the Hot co's "Legacy" leaps to No. 54, that band's best
The overall mood of the 130 store an interview. "Our view is to skip 100 with his hit, "Bust A Move." showing since 1980's "Under The Gun."
managers and assorted district/ the third `lean' and strategically "Stone Cold Rhy- The Cure's "Love
headquarters staffers, as summed branch out into other product." min' " is the second al- Song" sprints to No. 10
up by training director Katherine (Continued on page 88) bum released on Los An- on the Hot 100, becom-
geles -based Delicious ing the critically lauded
CHART
New Signings, Staff Revive MCA Sub Vinign yLlo cR'se c"oLrodcs -,E df oAlloftwer- bSaenvde'sra fl irostt hteorp 1b0a nhdits.
Dark," which reached have managed to trans-
Uni label Regains Strength No. 1 in April. Both al- late critical support into
bums were produced by top 10 singles this year,
Michael Ross and Matt including Edie Brickell
BY THOM DUFFY scoWuti tEh lapirnoem Soatbioian int hNroewug Yh orMk.C A, sDizizklei.n gW cihtha rtth miso vwee, eikt''ss &Fi neN eYwo unBgo Cheanmniiabanlss,,
NEW YORK With a crop of new one of Uni's best -selling artists, entirely possible that byy Paul Grein Was (Not Was), R.E.M.,
signings and a foray into rap, Uni Steve Earle, reached a new sales the label will have a second No. 1 album before the and Love & Rockets.
Records has reaffirmed its strength plateau of 400,000 copies of his most year is out. Linda Ronstadt's "Don't Know Much," the first
as an alternative subsidiary of MCA recent album "Copperhead Road," But first, Young M.C. will have to continue to bat- single from her first contemporary pop album in
Records nearly a year after layoffs says Simone. tle those three high- profile bands, all of which are seven years, enters the Hot 100 at No. 72. The hit,
that cut its 10- person staff by half, Uni also has seen success with right on target in their chart progress. The Stones' which features Aaron Neville, was co- written by
says Uni president David Simone. the Swans, a New York act which "Steel Wheels" leaps from No. 12 to No. 4 in its third Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who also co -wrote
"Obviously, I was unhappy to see scaled the Modern Rock Tracks week; Motley Crue's "Dr. Feelgood" jumps 24 -8 in Ronstadt's 1987 smash, "Somewhere Out There."
that happen," says Simone of the chart this summer with "The Burn- its second week; and Aerosmith's "Pump" debuts at The Judds land their 14th No. 1 hit on the Hot
November 1988 cuts, which were ing World," and Big Bam Boo, No. 23. Country Singles chart in just more than five years
part of an overall restructuring at which received album rock radio air- "Pump" is Aerosmith's highest- debuting album with "Let Me Tell You About Love."
MCA. While Uni now relies on MCA play with "Shooting From The to date, beating out "Rocks," which bowed at No. 25 Talk about slow starts: Mick Jones' self -titled
promotion, Simone says the label in Heart" from the "Fun Faith and in 1976. What's more, "Pump" is certain to become solo debut album moves up one notch to No. 188 in
recent months has rebuilt its own Fairplay" album. Aerosmith's first top 10 album since "Rocks," which its second week on the pop albums chart. Jones led
A &R and support staff. Joining VP At the same time, Uni has also fo- hit No. 3. The band's 1987 comeback album, "Perma- Foreigner to six top 10 albums between 1977 and
A &R Mark Dean are VP A &R Tere- cused on breaking successful Brit - nent Vacation," peaked at No. 11. 1985.
sa Ensenat in Los Angeles and A &R (Continued on page 89) "Steel Wheels" is the Stones' 12th consecutive
studio album to reach the top five in just three WE GET LETTERS: Rob Durkee of American Top
weeks, which is the band's entire studio output since 40 notes that New Kids On The Block this week be-
Perez Prado Dies At 72 "Let It Bleed" 20 years ago. "Dr. Feelgood" is Mot- comes the first act to place three singles in the top
ley's third straight top 10 album, following "Theatre 40 on the Hot 100 in one week since Diana Ross
Of Pain" and "Girls, Girls, Girls." scored in 1980 with "Upside Down," "I'm Coming
NEW YORK Pérez Prado, the man on the Billboard singles chart in 1955 Out," and "It's My Turn."
who introduced thousands through- and 1958, respectively. Other famous THE BEE GEES return to the top 10 on the Hot 100 Mike Perini of Ypsilanti, Mich., notes that Heavy
out the world to the thrills of mambo, numbers include "Moliendo Cafe" for the first time in more than 10 years as "One" D. & the Boyz's "Big Tyme" and the D.O.C.'s "No
died Sept. 14 of a stroke in Mexico and mambos "No. 5" and "No. 8." jumps to No. 7. It's the trio's first top 10 hit since One Can Do It Better" are the third and fourth rap
City at the age of 72. He began experimenting with the June 1979, when "Love Me Inside Out" became its albums to reach the top 20 on the pop albùms chart
Born Dámaso Pérez Prado, the Cu- mambo structure in Mexico, where sixth consecutive No. 1 single. before yielding a Hot 100 single. The first two were
ban native was largely responsible he resided in the late '40s. In 1951, he Even in a year of pop music comebacks, the Bee L.L. Cool J's "Bigger And Deffer" and Run -
for stylizing the mambo, originally began touring the U.S. with his band, Gees' return to the top 10 stands out. Donna Sum- D.M.C.'s "Tougher Than Leather."
one of the elements of a typical Afro- whose colorful and elaborate tropical mer, Donny Osmond, and the Doobie Brothers David Harris of Glasgow, Ky., notes that Milli
Cuban composition, and developing it costumes often matched the excite- were all major record sellers in the '70s, but the Bee Vanilli is the fourth duo to land back -to -back No.
1
into a crisp and eminently danceable ment of the music. Gees were the hottest act on the planet for a couple hits on the Hot 100 in the '80s, following Hall &
form. It became one of the biggest A classically educated pianist and of years. All that success and exposure ultimately Oates, Wham!, and Tears For Fears.
ballroom crazes of the '50s. musician, Pérez Prado also experi- turned against the group, which is why this come- Rich Appel of CBS -TV in New York notes that this
Pérez Prado's compositions be- mented with jazz and other genres, back is especially dramatic -and why it must be all week's top 40 includes both a remake of a flip side
came international standards. His including some forays into extended the more gratifying. (Martika's dance update of Carole King's "I Feel
contrasting and simplified mambos, compositions. The Earth Mové "), and a remake that started out as
so simplified indeed that he gave His music was recorded by RCA. A FAST FACTS: Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly's a flip side (New Kids On The Block's teen -dream
numbers to many of them, sold by compilation of his greatest hits is cur- "Silky Soul," the group's first album for Warner version of the Delfonics' "Didn't I (Blow Your
the hundreds of thousands. His rently available on CD and other for- Bros. following a long stint on Capitol, vaults from Mind). ")
songs "Cherry Pink And Apple Blos- mats from BMG Records.
som White" and "Patricia" hit No. 1 CARLOS AGUDELO
8 BILLBOARD SEPTEMBER 30, 1989
www.americanradiohistory.com
,P!
A\ILO EATS
STOGY
111E
PHASE ONE
The first single "Keep Each Other
Warm" is released and immediately
goes Top 5.
Barry Manilow, Live From The
Gershwin, his critically acclaimed
sold- out Broadway show is extended
three times and runs for 10 weeks.
He appears on Johnny Carson, David
Letterman and Arsenio Hall.
"The One That Got Away," the new
single is already Top 20 and rising
fast as the album Barry Manilow
nears gold.
PHASE TWO
Beginning September 23rd,
Barry takes his sensational
Broadway show on the road.
On Sunday October 8th, music
fans all over the country will be
reintroduced to the
"Barry Manilow Of The '90s"
with the premier of his
SHOWTIME special Barry
Manilow: SRO On Broadway.
September 23 Rochester, 41N November 1- 3 Bóston. 3L1
ex-.00Allorow 24 Cedar Rapids. L4 20 -21 Miami. FL
25 Peoria, IL 24 -26 St.. Louis. MO
27-29 Kansas City. MO 28 Rockford. IL
October 2-5 Philadelphia, R4 29 Duluth. MN
7- 8 Rochester, SY 30 Miliraukee.147
10- 11 Schenectady. NY December 2 -3 Chicago. IL
I 12 Erie. P4 8 Columbus. OH
1 1 14 -15 Buffalo. \T 9 Indianapolis. I.ti
16- 17 Syracuse, NY l0 Grand Rapids. MI
m i \TDtiES.... 18 Bethlehem, R-1 12- 13 Detroit. MI
CO 26 Fairfax. VA 14 Richfield OH
V a1_.111 a1S 27 Uniondale. :1Y 16 Cincinnati. OH
i- r..oiml llanagenuent: Garry C Kief. STILET7YJ 28 Hartford CT 17 Pittsburgh. PA
drinta Retorde, lut.. a Bertefsmann Munie Group Company. 30-31 Batton. MA 26 -31 Unitersal City. CA
dialUSTA01989
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