Create Opportunities

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Mar Reba McEntire Back In
Top Form On MCA Album
PAGE 13
THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC, VIDEO AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 19, 1996
ADVERTISEMENTS Black Music Execs Columbia Box Adds To
HOW MANY GUITARS DOE IT McLachlan Plans
TAKE TO MAKE ONE DRUM HAPPY? Year Of Neil Diamond'
All - Female Tour
Create Opportunities
BY CRAIG ROSEN
BY TERRI HORAK
With the Oct. 29 release of "In My
NEW YORK- Drawing on her BY J.R. REYNOLDS Although some black executives, Lifetime," an elaborate three -CD
sensitivity and experience as a per- such as Elektra Entertainment (U.S.) boxed set, Columbia will give Neil Dia-
LOS ANGELES -As a result of major - chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone and for- mond fans a rare
label downsizing and the limited oppor- mer Mercury president Ed Eckstine, treat. The package,
tunities for rising beyond R &B depart- have been given the opportunity to which includes his
ment and division management, helm a multi -genre major label, the biggest hits as well
as 16 previously
unreleased tracks
and rare demos,
gives listeners what
the singer /song-
writer calls "a por- DIAMOND
11.3.11t lRO McLACHLAN trait of Neil Dia-
mond-w arts, freckles, zits, and some
former, Arista/Nettwerk Records clear patches as well."
artist Sarah McLachlan has PUGH SINGLETON SPANN ELLISON "In My Lifetime" marks the first
designed Lilith Fair, a unique all - time that the original versions of Dia-
(Continued on page 106) veteran black senior executives have majority of black executives are still mond's hits for Columbia, Bang, MCA,
IF FOUR WAS ONE been forced to create their own oppor- pigeonholed within R &B divisions. and Capitol Records have been col -
M/2 -46262 tunities outside of the major- label cor- "When black music departments and (Continued on page 66)
T.J. Kirk pJloadms sm Baroiwdn w oitlhd tRhde nraeroönlc Roaf knrdd oKnra o on Morro Limited Video Shell porate system. Some have launched divisions were created, they were never
www.wbjec.con Dune eaeaeuwr their own imprints, while others are designed to be mechanisms for black Brazilian Labels Broach
Supply Poses Threat acting as consultants and mentors to a executives running them to go any
Q C4r441-% younger generation of executives. (Continued on page 105) New Media Cautiously
BY SETH GOLDSTEIN
i BY ENOR PAIANO
button Clot),lE NEW YORK -The International Re- Holiday Package Tour
cording Media Assn. (ITA) has posited SÀO PAULO, Brazil -After getting a
a doomsday sce- late jump into the multimedia arena
nario that threat- All Wrapped Up For Radio
ens the livelihoods
of duplicators and
vendors of prere- BY DOUG REECE new turnkey holiday package tour,
corded program- All Wrapped Up.
ming. Taking note LOS ANGELES -At the top of the The show, which features Warner
of the dependence Christmas wish lists of concert pro- Bros. artists Steve Earle and Paula
of the U.S. home -video industry on
Lock up your daughters, Csehttiense, sIeT -Am wadaern ss htehlalst atlot ehreodu sper icciansg- CowJópad MAMONAS ASSASSINAS
crank up your stereo, or supply "could cause serious harm." John, Matt because of protective legislation that
According to a just -released ITA banned technology imports, Brazil's
v$für%tß11%P a.d.uv?.wy
"white paper," prepared by Cambridge mé '13" record companies are grappling with
are back ! (Continued on page 107) ,r'KaueGla' Gmlt (Continued on page 86)
button cloth
'ANDREW IN THIS ISSUE
IT'S A . ,- LLOYD KEB' MO' COLE
featuring WEBBER moter Metropolitan Entertainment Cole, Capitol's John Hiatt, and Epic's Wherehouse Lays Out
If I roduced by ß I'd Tell You" 25k YidEA RS ON BROADWAY Gmrootuepr S(MonEgGli)n aens dL itndd. iaer rea dtriiop lper -oA- Ktraevbe' lM thor',o iusg the nmtaotirve ethlya nsc 2h0e dmualerkde ttos Its Plans For The Future
radio stations willing to buy into their (Continued on page 108) PAGE 10
FOLLOWS PAGE 60
RETAIL TRACK
When you take risks others take notice. Like Billboard who says "Dave Koz is traveling
Virgin Megastore Slated
down a musical path that is notably different from those of his contemporaries."
To Open In Disney World
Get Off The Beaten Path, and hear the unmistakable joy of a musician taking flight.
PAGE 82
4 2>
off the beaten path
The new enhanced CD and cassette on Capitol.
Produced by Thom Panunzlo, Jeff Koz and Dave Koz. Visit the Dave Roi websile at: http:- /www.darekot.com
o 09281 025 2 8 career Direction: Shelly Heber led tune. flyers for Vieille Iuegaat http: / /hollywoedandvine.com rind touai ern,ar. ie <.
ADVERT ISE ME N'
www.americanradiohistory.com
www.americanradiohistory.com
the new album
dance into the ligh
featurin the hit single
:
danc 'nto the li
red by phil collins & hugh padgham
management: tony smith /hit & run music ltd.
marketed & distributed by atlantic records &
warner music international worldwide
o
'
6calictiwg T!
16.(0 n+.`r: r= WARNER MUSIC
INTERNATIONAL
©1996 atlantic recording corp/ warner music international
time warner companieq
www.americanradiohistory.com
hais are off to
All
"Anybody who is worried
about the future of country
music can set their mind at
ease. Don't you worry about it,
it's in good hands. Two of those
belong to TERRI CLARK, the
greatest new female country
singer of 1996, and she's
gonna' kick your butt in '97."
Bob Oermann
JUST THE SAME the new aihuM
featuring "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me"
In Stores Novelilher 5th
UTòogBoNwles
COMPA
Produced by Keith Stegall, Chris Waters and Terri Clark
www.americanradiohistory.com
No. IN BILLBOARD Blackwell Steps In To Realign Island
1 "o
VOLUME 108 NO. 42
THE BILLBOARD 200 New P'Gram Role Due For Former Prez Barbis
* 102
FROM THE MUDDY BANKS OF THE WISHKAH NIRVANA DGC
* CAPLPAALSASCHICIAA WLA LTZ 50 BY MELINDA NEWMAN geAt alltohnogu. gh Island is receiving critical Hmoalndaignegrs., as well as Paul McGuinness, U2's
YO -YO MA / EDGAR MEYER / MARK O'CONNOR SONY CLASSICAL NEW YORK- Following John Barbis' depar- acclaim with new acts such as PJ Harvey, Barbis is also well respected by the man-
CLASSICAL CROSSOVER
T * LVEAORNIOARUDS BAERRTINSSTTSE IN'NSO NNEESWU CYHO RK 50 tlaubreel aiss rperaelsigidneinngt oitfs Iesllfa unndd eRre tchoer dgsu iUd.aSn.c, eth oef Tarrtaisctys ' Bsaolnehs ahma,v ea nadp pTroriacckhye,d npolnaeti noufm th setsae- ahgise rdse pofa mrtuanrey woifl lt hneo lta hbuelr'ts tahretiisr tasc, tws.h o hope
label founder and chairman Chris Blackwell. tus yet. New releases from the Cranberries 'We're certainly going to miss Johnny, and
P * BLUE COLEUANNNT RRIMYE S CURB 46 anOnonu nOcecdt. th4a, t IBsalarbnids wpaas rteankitn gP oa llyeGavrea mof hMec cGhhaeme,p Bioonnehda ma 'sg rmeaant apgreorj. e"cIt ,t"h isnaky Ts rSaccoy'tst
A HEATSEEKERS absence and would return to PolyGram in a project is far enough along, and there are
* FASHION NUGGET CAKE CAPRICORN 24 yet- to -be- determined capacity. Blackwell, enough quality people plugged in that we cer-
who founded Island in 1959, will oversee the tainly will strive ahead. Johnny's departure
Bu * FREEDOM IN THE GROOVEJ AZJOZS HUA REDMAN WARNER BROS. 49 dpareys -itod e-dnaty is o npaemraetido.n s of the label until a new wproensi'td ehnatv ew aesr em bruocuhg ehftf einc ta onnd uthsa at sp rife sai dneenwt
M According to sources, Pat Monaco, senior ISLAND brought in a new second -in- command. That
S J*A TZHEZ M/ OCMOENNT TEKEMNPNYO GR AARRISYTA 49 VPPo /lGyGMr aomf I nGdreopuepn dDenist tLriabbuelt iSoanle, sh, aas u bneite onf BLACKWELL wweo uhladv bee." more disruptive to the momentum
NEW AGE offered the post of senior VP /GM of Island "Whenever there are changes that are dra-
* LINUS 6 LUCY - THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI 51 Records. Monaco, who could not be reached and Melissa Etheridge have gone platinum matic, from changes in morale to changes in
GEORGE WINSTON WINDHAM HILL for comment by press time, will oversee sales, but have not performed nearly as well as direction, there is always an effect," says
POP CATALOG 80 marketing, and promotion. either of the artists' past albums. Allen Kovac, manager of the Cranberries,
* LEGEND BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS TUFF GONG Hooman Majd will retain his title as exec- Despite any tension between Blackwell and "but the one thing that doesn't change is, if
utive VP of Island Records and will continue Barbis, the latter is extremely well liked by you have a hit, the hit will get through the
* ANdTHER LEVEL RB &LABC KSTREET INTERSCOPE 27 tvoi coevs.e rHseirei aAm & HR,i cpkusb rleicmitayi,n asn ds ecnrieoart iVveP / sGeMr- pProelysiGdreanmt hoifg hPeorl -yuGpsr,a imnc lMuduinsigc RGorgoeur pA, maensd, sstyasttieomns, bneeecdau."s e great songs are what radio
of Island's black music division. Larry Mestel Alain Levy, president/ CEO of PolyGram (Continued on page 99)
* THE HOT 100 1100 stays on as executive VP /C00 of the Island
MACARENA (BAYSIDE BOYS MIX) LOS DEL RIO RCA Entertainment Group.
In an exclusive statement to Billboard,
* CHAANGDEU TLHET WCOORLND TEERMICP COLARPTAORNY REPRISE 94 Blackwell says, "Basically, we have not CD Leads To Market Growth In
appointed a new president, because I plan to
* I LOVE YOU ALWAAYDS UFOLRTEV TERO PD O4N0N A LEWIS ATLANTIC 94 bmeo ninth Ns etow h Yanodrlke tfhoer dthaye -tnoe -xdat ys ioxp etora tinoinnse First Half Of Year, Says IFPI
of the company along with the executive team
H0 * COUNTRY 135 currently in place at Island. At the end of the
BELIEVE ME BABY II LIED) TRISHA YEARWOOD MCA time period, we will reassess the situation. BY JEFF CLARK -MEADS and vinyl was down 6.7 %.
T Perhaps Island will be able to exist without Says an IFPI representative, "The CD is
* DANCE / CLUB PLAY 32 a president, guided by myself and Island's LONDON -The ever- increasing success of the sole contributor to growth in an increas-
TWO TO TANGO VANESSA DAOU KRASNOW senior executives, all of whom are very tal- the CD and the allied resurgence of the sin- ing number of music markets. Only five of
SI * NO DDIGAGINTYC EB L/A MCKASTXREIE -TS I(FNEGATL. EDRS. SDRAEL) ESINT ERSCOPE 32 ealnwteady sa nhdad g."iv e Island the unique style it has gonle golfofbearl t wreoc ohrigdh s anloetse. sH ino wtheev elar,t etshte f isgtautriess- tinh eo tchoeurn ftorirems astusr.v eyed experienced growth
Blackwell's statement should end specula- tics also reveal some worrying trends. "In the first half of '96, CDs accounted
GL * RECUERDOLS,A TTRIISNTE ZA Y SOLEDAD 147 tGioranm th Matu Dsica vPidu bSliismhoinnge,, wpares shiedaednetd o ff oPro tlhye - naTtihoen afilg Fureedse, rraetleioanse do fO thcte. 1P0h boyn tohger aInptheirc- fsoomr ael m73o%st o8f0 t%he osfi naglbleusm m [aurnkiet]t, "s atlhees raenpd-
E MARCO ANTONIO SOUS FONOVISA Island presidency. Simone had no comment. Industry (IFPI), are for the first half of the resentative continues. "This compares with
R &B 29 However, according to a source, Simone year and show the total value of the market 74% of album sales and 65% of singles in
*
NO DIGGITY BLACKSTREET (FEAT. DR. DREI INTERSCOPE may have decided that the job wasn't for him. across 31 countries up just 0.2% compared January -June 1995."
"Does Simone want the gig ?" asks the source. with the same period in 1995. IFPI notes, though, that while CD growth
* RAP 30 "No recent president has lasted at Island for The survey covers 44 countries, but, says remains in excess of 10 %, "some of the most
BOW DOWN WESTSIDE CONNECTION LENCH MOB very long. Is that your career move ?" IFPI, only 31 can be compared directly with mature CD markets have experienced flat-
ROCK / MAINSTREAM ROCK TRACKS 93 Indeed, the presidency at Island has the prior -year period. In those 31, sales at ter sales this year."
* TEST FOR ECHO RUSH ATLANTIC resembled a revolving door during the last retail values were the equivalent of $16.24 The main area of CD advances is in the
several years. Shortly after Mike Bone's billion in the period from January to June. singles market, where unit sales of the for-
ROCK / MODERN ROCK TRACKS 93 departure as president in 1990, Island became Unit sales were up 5.3% at 1.25 billion. mat grew by 25% this year compared with
* NOVOCAINE FOR THE SOUL. EELS DREAMWORKS part of PolyGram Label Group, which was Across all 44 countries in the survey, sales the same period in 1995. Says the IFPI rep-
run by Rick Dobbis. In 1994, after PLG was were worth the equivalent of $16.72 billion resentative, "The surge in popularity of the
T TOP VIDEO SALES 88 dissolved, Barbis, who had been with Poly - on a volume of 1.3 billion units. CD single has stimulated very high levels of
O * OUVER AND COMPANY BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO Gram since 1991, was named president. In the 31 comparable countries, CD unit growth in even the smallest singles markets
P Although no reason was given for the leave sales were up by 11.9%, and singles rose and has boosted the significance of singles
KID VIDEO 90
V * OLIVER AND COMPANY BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO of absence, it was well known within the 11.5%. However, cassette sales fell by 12.3 %, (Continued on page 20)
industry that Barbis and Blackwell did not
DI LASERDISCS
* HEAT WARNER HOME VIDEO 91 T H I S W E E K I N B I L L B O A R D
O
RENTALS
S * THE BIRDCAGE M. r.I i UA HOME VIDEO 90 BOOM IN BRAZIL COMMENTARY 6 MERCHANTS & MARKETING 79
No, 1 ON THIS WEEK'S UNPUBLISHED CHARTS Ris eecxoprde csteadle sto a rhea vseo athrien gs ixint hB- lraazrgil,e sat nmda brkye yt eian rt'hs ee nwdo, rltdh.e Tchoeu nBtirlly- ARTISTS & MUSIC 13 RDeetcalial rTartaiocnks Of Independents 8842
board Spotlight examines why the industry has reason to cele- Executive Turntable 14 The Reel Thing 84
BLUES brate. Page 67 The Beat 19 The Enter *Active File 86
* GOOD LOVEI JOHNNIE TAYLOR MALACO Boxscore 21 Home Video 87
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN HELLO `MRS. SANTA' Continental Drift 22 SChheilldf 'Ts aPlkl ay 8980
* SIGNS OF LIFE STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN SPARROW December will bring Jerry Herman's "Mrs. Santa," the first new Popular Uprisings 24
* WHGATOCSHAP LEOLO KIN' 4 TIrVy Lmicuhsitmcaal ni nh dase ctahde esst obryy. a major Broadway writer. DepuPtya geed it5o2r TRh &eB Rap Column 2350 RPREVOIGEWRSA M&M PINRGEV IEWS 6912
KIRK FRANKLIN AND THE FAMILY GOSPO CENTRIC Dance Trax 31 The Modern Age 93
KID AUDIO is BPI COMMUNICATIONS Chairman: Gerald S. Hobbs President & CEO: John B. Babcock Jr. Country 34 Vox Jox 95
* FOR OUR CHILDREN, TOO VARIOUS ARTISTS KID RHINO Executive Vice Presidents: Robert J. Bowling, Martin R. Feely, Howard Lander Senior Vice Presi- Music Video 97
dents: Georgina Challis, Paul Curran, Ann Haire, Rosalee Lovett Vice President: Glenn Heffernan Latin Notas 47
Chairman Emeritus: W.D. Littleford
THE BILLBOARD LATIN 50 Jazz /Blue Notes 48 FEATURES
* MACARENA NON STOP LOS DEL RIO ARIOSA ©in Caonpy yrriegthriet v1a9l 9s6y sbtye mB,P Io r Ctroamnmsmuinttiecadt,i oinn s aInnyc . foNrom paorrt boyf tahniys pmuebalnicsa, tieolne cmtroanyi cb,e mreepcrhoadnuicceadl, , spthooretod- Classical /Keeping Score 50 Update /Lifelines 60
MUSIC VIDEO cMoApGyiAngZ,I NreEc o(IrSdSinNg 0, 0o0r 6o -t2h5e1rw0i)s eis, wpuitbhloisuhte dth ew eperkiolyr wexrcitetepnt fpoer rtmheis slaiosnt wofe ethke inp uDbelicsehmerb.e rB, ILOLnBeO AAsRtoDr Songwriters & Publishers 52 Hot 100 Singles Spotlight 99
*V ALERSI OMUISSE ARRATBILSETSS: 10CTOHL UAMNBNIAIV TERRISSTAARR HYO MCEO NVCIDEERO T P$ou2lag6zha5,, . 0L10e5.ic 1eC5sot enBrtsirnhoeiarnedt,wa la EyEn, gulraNonpedew L2YE1o15r6k , p9oNEu.FYn. .d Rs1.e g0Bi0silt3leb6roe.a dr Sda.u sb Tsac orwnipeetwri osHnpo aurpaseteer, : aSta ontvhneeur aeBli grnirt iasPthea ,r kP,C osomt naOtrinkffeeictne t.a HlJ aarUbp.oaSrn. - Studio Action 53 BMeatrwkeeet nW Tahtceh B ullets 110180
109.000 yen. Music Labo Inc., Dempa Building, 2nd Floor, 11 -2, 1- Chome, Nigashi- Gotanda, Shine -
REGGAE gawa-ku, Tokyo 141, Japan. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N. Y. and at additional mailing INTERNATIONAL 55 CLASSIFIED 64
* MY XPERIENCE BOUNTY KILLER VP / BLUNT o2f0fi1ce1s.. CPuorsretmnta satenrd: pbalecaks ec ospeiensd cofh aBnigllebso aorfd a dadrere assv atiloa bBleill boona rdm, icRr oOfi.l mB ofxro 2m0 1K1ra, uMs aMrioicnr,o fOoHrm 4, 3R3o0u5te- Canada 57
WORLD MUSIC 140801,0 6M.i llFwoor oGdr, ouNp.Y .S u1b0s5c4rip6t ioorn Xienrfooxrm Uantiiovne rsciatyll M21ic2r o-5fi3lm6s -,5 236010. NFoorr tSh uZbesecbri pRtioona d.I nAfonrnm Aatriboonr , cMalilc h1.- Hits Of The World 58 REAL ESTATE 65
* THE BEST OF THE GIPSY KINGS GIPSY KINGS NONESUCH 8da0 0P-o7 s4t 5C -o8rp9.2 I2n te(Ornuatstiiodnea lU .PSu.:b 6lic1a4ti -o3n8s2 M -3ai3l 2A2g)r.e Feomr eannt y# o0th9e2r1 i9n2fo0r.m Patriionnte dc ailnl 2th1e2 -U 7.6S4.A -7. 300. Cana- Global Music Pulse 59 HOMEFRONT 110
BILLBOARD OCTOBER 19, 1996 5
www.americanradiohistory.com
Commentar
Billboard
Editor in Chief: TIMOTHY WHITE
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: SUSAN NUNZIATA
Deputy Editor: Iry Lichtman
News Editor: Marilyn A. Gillen
DBuirreecatou r Cohf ieSfpse: cCiarla igIs sRuoesse: nG (eLn.Ae .)S, cCuhlaettt i;F lDipaploet (BNraasdhyv, iAlles)s,o ciate Director Dance Music Back In Step Around World
Bill Holland (Washington), John Lannert (Caribbean and Latin America)
Art Director: Jeff Nisbet; Assistant: Raymond Carlson
Copy Chief: Bruce Janicke
Copy Editors: Carolyn Horwitz, Elizabeth Renaud, Carl Rosen
Senior Editors: Melinda Newman, Talent (N.Y.), Ed Christman, Retail (N.Y.) BY MARK FINKELSTEIN the down side, this means that the competi- music industry as the most idiosyncratic ter-
SR e&nBi oMr Wusriicte: rsJ.:R .C hRreisy nMolodrsr,i s E(Ld.iAto.r) ,( LB.Ara.)d ley Bambarger (N.Y.) tion in any given market is likely to be ritory; genres popular elsewhere don't work
Country Music/Nashville: Deborah Evans Price, Associate Editor WKTU New York recently stunned the intense. here, and in their place are styles like domes-
Dance Music: Larry Flick, Editor (N.Y.)
Pro Audio/Technology: Paul Verna, Editor (N.Y.) radio world by emerging as the No. 1 station Still, dance labels would do themselves a tic rap. The commercial scene is stuck in the
Retail: Don Jeffrey, Associate Editor (N.Y.) in the country. And now, there is talk that in tremendous disservice to ignore the impor- '80s (hi -NRG is popular), while U.S. dance is
HRoamdieo : VCidheuoc: kS Teathyl oGr,o ldEsdtietoinr, (NE.dYit.o) r (N.Y.), Eileen Fitzpatrick, Associate Ed. (L.A.) the wake of that breakthrough success, there tant international marketplace. Here is a run- largely ghettoized as gay music and frustrat-
Music Video/Enter *Active: Brett Atwood, Editor (L.A.) will be 30 new dance stations within the year. down of where dance stands around the globe: ed by legislation that stipulates that 40% of
HSteaafft sReeekpeorrste Fr:e aTteurrrei sH oErdaikto r(:N .DY.o)u g Reece (L.A.) Does this mean that dance music is back in The U.K. is the largest market in the world all programming must be French- language.
Administrative/ Research Assistant: Shawnee Smith (N.Y.) full force? For the first time in seven years, I for dance music and provides the best chance Nearly all the rest of Europe is a compila-
SCpoenctriiablu Ctoorrsr:e sCpaotnhdeerinnte: AJpimp leBfeelsds mOalsno n, Fred Bronson, truly believe there is reason to hope. Musi- for breaking new acts. U.S. repertoire flour- tions market only, with most of the commer-
Lisa Collins, Larry LeBlanc, Jim Macnie, Moira McCormick, cally, we as a community are stronger and ishes, although acts remain hard to break cial market taken up by Euro- dance, though
David Nathan, Havelock Nelson, David Sprague, Phyllis Stark, Heidi Waleson more diverse than ever, with freestyle, tech - beyond the first few singles. The size and pop- there are plenty of opportunities for U.S.
International Editor in Chief: ADAM WHITE
International Deputy Editor: Thom Duffy no, house, Miami bass, and acid jungle among ularity of the club scene has fueled an explo- labels. The Benelux territories are likely the
International Music Editor: Dominic Pride the wide variety of styles that have their own sion in compilations. The trend is toward DJ- most important; they have a strong club
European News Editor: Jeff Clark -Meads
German Bureau Chief: Wolfgang Spahr strong followings throughout the world. scene.
Japan Bureau Chief: Steve McClure However, the business still faces a number Greece is the most active territory in
Far East Bureau Chief: Geoff Burpee
of significant challenges along with its myri- Europe for U.S. product. There is an active
CHARTS & RESEARCH 'The international market-
Associate Publisher: MICHAEL ELLIS ad opportunities. On the plus side, the inter- scene both in Athens and on island resorts.
Director of Charts: Geoff Mayfield (L.A.) national marketplace is ripe with potential for place is ripe with potential Spain has been dominant for some time due
CWhoarlrdt MMaunsiacg),e rRs:i cAanrdthoo Cnyo mCpoalonmiobnoi (D(Maanicnes)t,r eDaamtu RFoacisko/Nn e(wH oAt gRe /& B U.S. labels and local imprints alike. On the for U.S. labels and local to the success of Euro -dance and its Spanish
SAidnugllte sT/Ropa p4 0/G /Joaszpze/lB /Rlueegsg/aSet)u, diSot eAvcetnio Gn)r,a yWbaodwe (JAedsuslet nC (oCnoteumntpryo/ rCaoryn/t emporary masi nburse asikdteh, rcooumgphest iitnio rne ciso troduinggh etre cthhanno leovgeyr, imprints alike' tseicghnnso t hoaftf sthhioso th,o Bmaecgcraolwa. nH mouwseivce hr,a st hreeraec haered
Christian), John Lannert (Latin), Mark Marone (Modern Rock), Geoff Mayfield
(Billboard 200/ Heatseekers/Catalog), Theda Sandiford -Waller (Hot 100 make it easier than ever for small players to Mark Finkelstein is president of New its peak, and licensing of U.S. dance music has
Singles/Top R &B Albums), Marc Zubatkin (Video/ Classical /Kid Audio) enter the market in force. York -based Strictly Rhythm Records. picked up this year.
Chart Production Manager: Michael Cusson
Assistant Chart Production Manager: Alex Vitoulis Before looking ahead at dance music's Neighboring Portugal has an active and
Archive Research Supervisor: Silvio Pietroluongo prospects on the global level, it is perhaps U.S. -friendly dance scene developing, though
Administrative Assistants: Joe Berinato (N.Y.), Jan Marie Perry (L.A.),
Mary DeCroce (Nashville) instructive to look back. During disco's hey- there are only two players, and sales are nat-
SALES day in the '70s, dance music accounted for mixed CDs. urally limited in such a small country.
Associate Publisher/ U.S.: JIM BELOFF more than 30% of all music sold. But by 1985, Always a difficult market to crack, Ger- Scandinavia and the Eastern European
National Advertising Manager Video/ Interactive: Jodie Francisco
New York: Kara DioGuardi, Pat Jennings, Ken Karp, Ken Piotrowski, dance music sales were insignificant to the many has been dominated for several years countries offer very limited opportunities, but
Deborah Robinson overall music picture. The late '80s saw a sig- by indigenous trance and techno. U.S. dance all have potential.
NL.aAs.:h vDilalen: DLeoed d,A nRno bPinh otForgielod man, Lezle Stein nificant resurgence of dance music sales with has a small but fanatical following, which has Japan offers the greatest challenge to out-
Advertising Coordinators: Erica Bengtson, Alyse Zigman the success of the freestyle genre. But even been slowly but steadily growing over the last side labels because of the enormous cultural
APhdyvlelirst isDienmg oA ssistants: Hollie Adams, Evelyn Aszodi, Fred Dahlqvist, during its peak, freestyle was never as com- two years. Branding is very important in Ger- differences that exist. Domestic product is
Classified (N.Y.): Jeff Serrette mercially successful as disco. After freestyle, many; if "authentic" U.S. music is carefully dominant, with the majority of licensing activ-
Associate Publisher /Intl.: GENE SMITH the next wave of commercial success came marketed, it can do very well. ity in the hi -NRG, techno, and Euro genres.
EAsuirao -pPea: cCifihcr/iAstuinsetr aClihai:n eAttmi a(Lnodnad Gonu)e,s Ct, a0th1e1r-i6n e1 3F -li9n8to2f4f - 8260/8263 (fax) from techno, and it lasted about 10 minutes. U.S. dance has always had a strong cult fol- Challenges aside, this is an exciting
Tokyo: Tokuro Akiyama, 044 -433- 4067 And then, for the last few years, it has been lowing in Italy, probably one of the most open moment for the dance music community. It's
MPailraisn: : FLriadniac oBiso nMgiullaertd, o3, 33 -19- + 4(504)93 6-229 +3534 .44.24 quiet -very quiet. Our talent found itself markets in Europe. Licensing of U.S. reper- about time.
Latin America /Miami: Angela Rodriguez, 305 -441- 7976 being used to get street support for acts from toire is widespread. House has taken the
Mexico: Daisy Ducret 213 -525 -2307 other genres. place of Euro as the new pop music. Key here Adapted from a keynote address delivered
MARKETING But the urge to dance is innate in humans. is its thriving, trendsetting club scene. at the Billboard Dance Music Summit in
Director of Marketing: ELISSA TOMASETTI
Promotion Art Director: Tony Santo We can't be away too long before they miss France is known throughout the European Chicago.
Promotion Coordinator: Gayle Lashin us. And with successes like Planet Soul, La
Senior Designer: Melissa Subatch
Special Events Manager: Maureen Ryan Bouche, Real McCoy, Lina Santiago, and
PublicisVSpecial Events: Michele Jacangelo Robert Miles and the phenomenon of WKTU LETTERS
Circulation Manager: Jeanne Jamin
European Circulation Manager: Sue Dowman (London) and the imitators its success will breed, there
Tradeshow Manager /Circulation: Adam Waldman is hope for a new rise as we head into 1997.
Group Sales Manager: Jeff Somerstein
Circulation Promotion Account Manager: Trish Daly Louw However, today's dance labels face many DICK GREGORY DEFINES GANGSTA RAP Women, unfortunately, have always been
PRODUCTION challenges, some new and some as old as those When we think about the death of Tupac identified by some as "bitches" and "whores,"
Director: MARIE R. GOMBERT disco duds in the closet. Among key hurdles: Shakur [ "Thug Life: Where Do The Children but these were never dancing words; they
Advertising Production Manager: John Wallace
Associate Advertising Production Manager: Lydia Mikulko Distribution: Labels must get their prod- Play ?," Editorial, Billboard, Sept. 28, 1996], were and are words used to destroy, disre-
Advertising Production Coordinator: Cindee Weiss uct to the DJ and the underground and yet be we must understand that Tupac delivered us spect, and torment women. Imagine if a black
EAsdsitoocriiaatle PEroddituocritaiol nP Mroadnuacgtieorn: TMearrneangceer :C D. rSeawn dWerhse eler ready to deliver a hit if it comes their way. "gangsta rap." Let's go over the meaning of person would aim those same gangsta rap
Specials Production Editor: Marcia Repinski Thus, a dance label must have two distribu- those two words, and just maybe you, the pub- words and lyrics at Jewish, Irish, or Italian
ASyssstiesmtasn/tT Secphencoialolsg yP rSoudpuecrtvioisno Er: diBtoarr:r y MBaisrch inG iaquinto tion systems -one targeted at niche markets lic, will have a better understanding of why women -our society would not permit such
Composition Technicians: Susan Chicola, Maria Manliclic, Anthony T. Stallings and the other at the mainstream. gangsta rap is an insult music on the airwaves.
Directories Production Manager: Len Durham Radio support: Although we can see the to the black family. I'm not against rap music. The Last Poets
ADMINISTRATION light at the end of the tunnel, we are still in Webster's Dictionary were and are the greatest rappers of all times.
Directories Publisher: Ron Willman
Distribution Director: Edward Skiba the tunnel. There are only 30 -35 radio stations defines the gangster as And I'm not against the record companies.
Online Sales Manager: Sam D. Bell nationally that will even play dance. "people banded together It's the gangsta rap music some people make
Web Site Designer: David Wertheimer
Billing: Debbie Liptzer Intense competition: With the advent of for some purpose, usually that we must be concerned about.
Assistant to the Publisher: Susan Mazo new and inexpensive technology, the number bad; one of a gang of If you buy a car from General Motors and
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: HOWARD LANDER of home studios has exploded. It is now possi- criminals." Rap is de- you use that car to rob a bank, we can't stop
BILLBOARD OFFICES: ble for a producer to create a release -ready fined as "to deliver a cars from being made, and we cannot take the
New York Washington, D.C. Nashville master very inexpensively. In fact, most pro- GREGORY smart, light blow" Gang - car off the market just because a robber uses
N1.5Y1.,5 NBYr o1a0d0w3a6y W73a3s h1.,5 tDh. CS. t.2 N00.W0.5 4N9a sMhvuislleic, STqNu a3re7 2W0.3 ducers and production companies have their sta rap, then, delivers to it to rob a bank. But we can catch the robber
212 -764 -7300 202 -783 -3282 615-321-4290 own studios. What this situation has created our children a gang of criminal messages. of the bank and prosecute him or her.
edit fax [phone] fax [phone] fax [phone] is an enormous supply of product available for Rap is not a "new" form of music; black The point I am making is that rap music
sales fax [phone]
London Tokyo release. Add to this the tremendous increase folks were rapping during slavery, during the has been around for a long time, and black
Los Angeles 3rd Floor 10th Floor No. 103 in the number of labels, and what we have is Underground Railroad. The two strongest folks utilize their style of rapping to teach the
5Lo0s5 5A nWgeillsehs,ir eC AB 9lv0d.0 36 2L3o nRdoidng WmCou1nEt S7At. H SHoigraok -aHwiraackhaow a1c- hcoh oBmledg, ., 4 -12 more than 1,000 new dance releases per week forces within black culture in the history of children and to signal a message to one anoth-
213 -525 -2300 44- 171 -323 -6686 Chiyoda -ku, Tokyo 102, Japan internationally. That's competition. America are the black woman and the black er, but never to disrespect the family.
fax [phone] fax: [phone] -7246 The international scene: This falls into church. And it is no coincidence that both are The best way to stop a snake is to step on
fax [phone]
the good news /bad news category. Because under fire. The black churches are being the head. The gangsta rapper is nothing but
BILLBOARD ONLINE: http://www.billboard-online.com dance music is not lyric- sensitive, the mar- bombed, and black women are being bombed the head of a snake.
212-536-1402, [email protected] kets in which it can compete are truly inter- by gangsta rap and its lyrics. So we as a peo- Dick Gregory
national. In fact, traditionally 80% of Strictly ple need to speak out against gangsta rap to West New York, N.J.
PRESIDENT: HOWARD LANDER Rhythm's revenues come from offshore. On protect the black family from destruction.
Senior VP /General Counsel: Georgina Challis
Vice Presidents: Michael Ellis, Karen Oertley,
ADdiraemct oWr ohfit eS trategic Development: Ken Schlager Articles and letters appearing on this page serve as a forum for the expression of views of general interest. The opinions offered here are not necessarily those of Billboard or its management.
Billboard Music Group Business Manager: Joellen Sommer Letters should be submitted to the Letters Editor. Commentaries should be submitted to Commentary Editor Marilyn A. Gillen, Billboard, 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036
6 BILLBOARD OCTOBER 19, 1996
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OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE!
e the BMI Songwriters
th Annual CMA Awards.
Song Of The Year
"Go Rest High
On That Mountain"
BROOKS & DUNN
Entertainer Of The Year
VINCE GILL & DOLLY PARTON
Vocal Duo Of The Year
Vocal Event Of The Year
"I Will Always Love You"
TONY BROWN
(Producer)
THE MAVERICKS
Album Of The Year MARK O'CONNOR
roup Of The Year
"Blue Clear Sky" Musician Of The Year
Single Of The Year
"Check Yes Or No"
JUNIOR BROWN
PME
RAY Music Video Of The Year
Hall Of Fame "My Wife Thinks You're Dead"
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www.americanradiohistory.com
Soon, every man, woman
will
and chipmunk
be doing the Macarena.
--Ttrrt.
Just when you thought the Macarena couldn't get any hotter, Alvin and The
Chipmunks put their own distinctive paw -prints all over it. "Club Chipmunk,"
their new dance mix release, follows a string of Grammy- winning platinum
albums right into the hearts and hips of the world. Hip hop to "Play That Funky
Music Chipmunk," "Vogue," "I'm Too Sexy" and "Love Shack." Call now and learn how
to get your paws on all the Chipmunks' hits. Then join the craze.
SONY
epic
RECORDS
epic records group
e 1996 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. /Bagdasorian Productions LLC. °24g and are trademarks of Sony Corporation. The Chipmunks," "Chipmunk Records" and More registered trademarks of Bagdasarian Productions, LLC. Chipmunks artwork ® 1996 Bagdasarian Productions, tiC. All rights reserved.
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New Twist In PolyGram /STEMRA Dispute
Blockbuster Plots Shifts
Judge Rejects Dutch Society's Case Against Major
In Int'l Retail Course
BY JEFF CLARK -MEADS ther, STEMRA's failure to introduce STEMRA to the London -based body.
direct distribution cost it a $1 million Though direct distribution is avail-
LONDON -The most controversial payout to PolyGram. able to all MCPS members, only Chain Buys Irish Web Music Closures Planned
development involving European Direct distribution is a powerful PolyGram International Music Pub-
mechanical rights for a decade has challenge to existing methods of lishing took advantage of the service. BY PETER DEAN BY DON JEFFREY
taken a dramatic new turn. mechanical royalty administration The double involvement of Poly -
A fierce row has raged in Europe within the European Union, as soci- Gram in the new system made the LONDON- Blockbuster Entertain- NEW YORK -Blockbuster Enter-
since the summer over the new sys- eties not involved in it are deprived company as large an object of the ment is poised to enter the Irish tainment plans to close up to 10% of
tem of direct distribution. of significant amounts of business continental societies' ire as MCPS. marketplace with the planned acqui- its 500 U.S. music stores, which have
Firmly entrenched in the camp (Billboard, Oct. 5). Though several of the continental sition of the Xtra- been a drag on the
arguing for direct The continental societies were bodies have threatened to take legal vision group, which earnings of parent
distribution angered when MCPS broke ranks measures over the issue and have owns 217 video company Viacom.
PolyG ram are the U.K.'s and became the first body in the EU moved to sever reciprocal agree- stores throughout Viacom execu-
Mechanical to offer direct distribution to its ments with the British body, the first the republic and tives made the
Copyright Pro- members. MCPS introduced the ser- to take any concrete action against Northern Ireland. announcement at a
tection Society (MCPS) along with its vice in July at the same time that PolyGram is STEMRA. No purchase price meeting Oct. 8 in
ally, the PolyGram Group; equally PolyGram's record arm switched its In a move that is regarded by Poly - has been disclosed. New York with
implacable on the other side are the central European license from (Continued on page 66) If the deal, security analysts
continental European mechanical which is subject to and investors,
rights societies. regulatory consent, according to a con-
Now it has been revealed that the goes ahead as expected, it will see ference attendee.
most prominent opponent of the Blockbuster breach the halfway mark Blockbuster also reported that
MCPS /PolyGram alliance -Dutch toward its intended 2,000 -store pen- week that it had acquired a minority
society STEMRA- offered two years etration throughout Europe, a goal it interest in PC Upgrades, a Cincin-
ago to adopt direct distribution. Fur- plans to reach by the millennium. nati -based retailer specializing in
(Continued on page 109) (Continued on page 109)
Wherehouse
Musicland Explores Its Options
Execs Look To
Retailer Working With Smith Barney
The Future
BY ED CHRISTMAN facility's existing financial covenants
BY EILEEN FITZPATRICK are waived until March 30, 1997. As
The Musicland Group has imple- part of that, the chain no longer has to
LOS ANGELES -After being on the mented an aggressive strategy to alle- pay down its revolver balance to $25
financial ropes for the past year, viate its cash -flow problems. The chain million for one day between Dec. 15,
Wherehouse Entertainment unveiled has renegotiated its revolving credit 1996, and Feb. 15, 1997.
its plan for the future at a company facility and has hired a financial advis- According to one label executive, the
conference held here Sept. 30 -Oct. 1. er to shop its assets. agreement gives Musicland greater
As previously reported, Wherehouse Celine Soars. 550 Music artist Celine Dion, front, proudly accepts a plaque According to a press release issued flexibility to operate its business with-
will emerge from Chapter 11 by divid- from Sony Music executives commemorating total sales of 10 million copies of Oct. 8, the Musicland group has hired out worrying about triggering
ing ownership among Cerberus Part- her four English- language U.S. releases. Her current smash album, "Falling Into the New York- based investment bank- covenants that could result in the bank
ners, trade creditors, and bond holders You," tops the list at 4 million units. She is the first Canadian vocalist to have ing firm of Smith Barney to explore "pulling the plug" on the revolver.
(Billboard, Oct. 5). Furthermore, three multiplatinum albums. Pictured in the back row, from left, are Vito Luprano, strategic and financial alternatives that On the other hand, the company says
sources say, the company plan creates VP of A &R, Sony Music Canada and executive producer of "Falling Into You "; might improve the value of the compa- that the agreement calls for Musicland
a mechanism whereby the trade can David Glew, chairman, Epic Records Group; Polly Anthony, president, 550 ny to its shareholders. But knowledge- to reduce its revolver to $275 million by
convert its equity position in the chain Music; John McL. Doelp, executive VP, 550 Music and executive producer of able retail sources confirm that Smith Dec. 20 and maintain that level
to cash by providing normal terms of "Falling Into You "; and René Angélil, Dion's manager. Barney has been approaching other through March 30. Currently, Music -
credit for Wherehouse (see sidebar, merchants and financial players to see land's revolver makes $350 million in
page 109). if there is any interest in buying all or credit available to the chain, according
Wherehouse filed for Chapter 11 part of Musicland. (Continued on page 99)
protection Aug. 2, 1995, after spending Arista Nashville's Reunion Records Musicland operates 1,476 stores in
the first half of that year on the ropes four chains: Suncoast Motion Picture
while Jerry Goldress, the company Purchased By The Zomba Group Co., a video sell -through chain; Media FTC Closes
chairman, tried to negotiate an out -of- Play, a multimedia entertainment
court restructuring of the chain's bal- superstore chain; On Cue, a small-town
ance sheet. Wherehouse's burdensome BY DEBORAH EVANS PRICE label," Calder says. "It complements retailer carrying music, books, and Trade Practice
(Continued on page 109) Brentwood so well because Brentwood video; and Musicland/Sam Goody, a
NASHVILLE -Ending months of will be able to do the sales and distrib- mall -based record store web. Investigation
speculation on the fate of Reunion ution functions that up to now have In the words of an executive in a
FCC Makes First Dent Records, the Zomba Group of Compa- been done by Word in the [Christian company that has had a preliminary
nies has purchased the label from Booksellers Assn.] market. inquiry from Smith Barney, "Whatev- BY ED CHRISTMAN
-if
In Complaint Backlog Arista Records Nashville, a division of (Continued on page 99) er interest in Musicland you have
BMG Entertainment. you want to buy Suncoast, or if you NEW YORK -The Federal Trade
BY BILL HOLLAND Currently distributed in the Chris- want to buy music mall stores in the Commission (FTC) has closed its
tian market by Word Records, Atlantic Group Southeast, or whatever, it's all up for three -year investigation into music -
WASHINGTON, D.C. -The Oct. 4 Reunion will be distributed by Zomba - grabs." business trade practices.
announcement by the Federal Com- owned Brentwood Music in the Chris- Marcia Appel, VP of marketing, In early October, the FTC mailed a
munications Commission (FCC) that it tian market starting in January 1997. Begins Its downplays the possibility of Musicland form letter to the major record com-
had targeted radio station WVIC East It will continue to be distributed in the selling its assets. She says that Smith panies stating that after reviewing the
Lansing, Mich., for an $8,000 indecen- mainstream retail market by BMG as Streamlining Barney has begun to explore all options matter, "it now appears that no further
cy fine marks the start of the FCC's part of its North American distribution and that at the completion of that task, action is warranted," according to a
effort to clear the backlog of 120 inde- arrangement with all of Zomba's it should be able to provide the Min- copy of the letter obtained by Bill-
cency complaints against 70 stations labels. BY CHRIS MORRIS neapolis -based chain with a full array board.
nationwide that have been piling up for Zomba purchased the 15- year -old of recommendations. The letter, signed by FTC deputy
nearly two years. Brentwood Music -which includes the Atlantic Records Group moved to This past spring, in an effort to raise director Mark Whitener, states that
WVIC, a Jencom Broadcasting out- Essential, Ransom, Brentwoo-d trim its staff and consolidate its label cash, Musicland tried to spin off Sun - the commission was investigating
let, has 30 days to pay the fine or show Records, and Brentwood Kids labels interests Oct. 8, cutting more than 60 coast as a publicly traded company but "whether members of the prerecord-
why the fine should not be imposed. in February 1994. Zomba chair - staffers across the board in its New found little interest from Wall Street. ed- music distribution industry engaged
FCC officials say that the "notice of man/CEO Clive Calder sees Brent- York and Los Angeles offices, accord- Musicland subsequently aborted the in any unfair methods of competition
apparent liability" is the first of many wood Music and Reunion as compati- ing to well -placed sources. The layoffs offering. ... by limiting the availability of coop-
to come this fall and winter. ble ventures. had been widely anticipated (Billboard, According to the Oct. 8 announce- erative advertising or promotional
On June 3, the station's morning "By acquiring Reunion, which is Oct. 12). ment, Musicland has completed nego- funds, allowances, and services in con-
host received and broadcast several such a terrific label with such a terrif- An informed source says that the tiations with the banking consortium nection with the sale of CDs, cassettes,
explicit calls from listeners. There was ic artist roster, our intention is for company shuttered its specialty that provides its revolving credit facil- and records."
no tape -delay unit in place. The broad - Reunion to continue to run as a bou- imprints TAG, Mesa/Blue Moon, and ity. According to the company, under According to the letter, the FTC was
(Continued on page 109) tique, A &R, artist development -led (Continued on page 108) the amended agreement, most of the (Continued on page 20)
10 BILLBOARD OCTOBER 19, 1996
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