Metz Names Landis DonKirshner (Continued from page 3) General Manager knew after the recent interest in NEW YORK - Stephen Metz,Chuck Berry and Little Richard, president of Stephen Metz, Ltd., etc., that there would be an appe- has announced the appointment tite for the people who are now of Richard Landis as general man- in their thirties and forties-the ager of Music America Interna- people who grew up with these tional, Inc. and its affiliated com- songs-to have these acts hap- pen. I saw the marketplace head- panies. He will handle produc- ing into softer sounds and better tion, publishing and the manage - withtheeffectsof Tent of the firms involved. melodies 'Mandy' and 'MidnightBlue.' I Landis is a former pianist with didn'tknowwhatthesongs Spencer Davis and has recorded would be, but I knew it would be as an artist for ABC -Dunhill Rec- back to the Aldon days again. ords. He produced and arranged After all, isn't 'Love Will Keep Us Peter Allen's album, "Tenterfield Together' similar to some of the Saddler." He's also worked witholder Tony Orlando tuneslike CharlieCalelloincommercials 'Halfway to Paradise' and 'Bless and record production and hasYou'?" been involved in the jingle busi- At the Rock Awards show, from left: Cher, Elton John, Diana Ross and Don Kirshner. The Aldon daysrepresented ness in the area of representation. another music trend that held on and they dance. The form in tele- Some of the artists he willbe affects the busi- Knight, a writing team who Kirsh- B. Greaves, strong and still vision for some time has been dealing with are R. ness quite drastically-the sing-ner feels can produce as well; Limmie & Family Cookin', Herb er/songwriter. "Obviously in theRon Dante, who has been with comedy -variety, but what I'm go- Rooney andtheExcitersand Kirshner for years as the vcice of ing to try is a dance -variety show. I believedinthe Aldondays Because of this belief I'm working Robin Kenyatta. thatwere the Archies and currently co -pro- writer/artist.Talents on a show called 'Dancing Time' signed to me include Carole King, duces Barry Manilow with Mani - Newman Joins Epic Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin and low; Joe & Bing, who write and with Tommy Tune, Ike & Tina for whom Kirshner has addition- Turner, Phyllis Diller, Ken Berry NEW YORK - Al Bergamo, Neil Sedaka. And I believe that asyndi- branch manager of CBS Records ally made a recording deal; and and Chuck Berry.It's Sedaka is one of the all-time great cated show that we think will be in San Francisco, has announcedwriter/artists.We'vebeento- Deanie Hofeinz and Brad Burg, the appointment of Joel Newman gether for 17 years," the multi- a new writing team. According aserieslike'Rock Concert.'" to the position of Epic/CBS Cus- media mogul explained. "I also toKirshner,"It'sthefirst timeWhen questioned as to whether tom Labels local promotion man- have an interest in Neil's records that I've seen a writing team that he will use songs from his writers for the show, he replied, "If we ager for the San Francisco Mar- becauseI made the original rec- reminds me of the old Coffin and I would ket. ord deal for him with Mike CurbKing and Mann and Weil days." had a hit disco record put it on butI would never sac- Newman will be responsible for when he was at MGM/Po!ydor. I Kirshnerfeelsthathe's secure produced, with Al Nevins, all of with the publishing situation here rifice the show for the sake of all promotional activitiesin the putting a tune on." He isalso San Francisco Marketing area, as Neil'searlier hits that arc now as well as abroad, and stated "I'm advertisedon reallydoing the whole gamut planning three situation comedy well as for coordinating artist ap- repackagedand shows, two with Norman Lear pearances and tours within the television. All of those were pub- again." Aldon,too. It's With the television aspect of and one with Alan Lansberg, who market. He will report directly to lishedunder was responsible for the recent Mr. Bergamo. airing of "Fear on Trial." His writ- Beforejoining CBS Records, ers would score all the situation Newman served as local promo- People retain one thing: melody, which comedy shows andwritethe tion manager for London Records is always key, and simplicity of lyrics. theme music for "Dancing Time." and as west coast regional man- ager for Polydor. With songs like 'Love Will Keep Us To- Anticipates Romanticism The musical cycle that Kirsh- gether' and 'Mandy' making such a ner's anticipating now is one of Arista Orlando Album big chart impact, it seems inevitable romanticism. "People retain one that the romantic trend is coming. thing," he said, "melody, which Released Internationally is always key, and simplicity of NEW YORK-Aaron Sixx, direc- lyrics. With songs like 'Love Will tor of international operations for wonderful that Neil's happening his entertainment empire doing Keep Us Together' and 'Mandy' AristaRecords,has announced well, Kirshnerisdevoting most making such a big chart impact, that"Skybird,"thecompany's in such a big way now as well." The rebuilding has already of his time now to music and it seems inevitable that the ro- new release by Tony Orlando and overseeing his television interests. mantic trend is coming." Prepar- Dawn, will receive a simultaneous been started. Kirshner told RW be "IbroughtinMerrillCrantto ing for the force with which the release this month in more thanthat an announcement will forthcomingregardinga major handle the television end. I love firm isthere-emerging music a dozen major international ter- television and we're super hot in business, Kirshner Entertainment ritories. Included among these are label deal made for Phil Cody, whose lyricalingenuity hasal- itbut musicis my firstlove," executivevicepresidentHerb Canada, Australia, Holland, Mex- Kirshner continued. "In addition, Moelis outlined the staff expan- Zealand, ready been accepted on 3 mass ico, Denmark, New some of my writerscangain sion which includes Wally Gold South Africa, West Indies, Nor- level with "Laughter In the Rain" and "Bad Blood." An album pro- more exposure on through televi- as general professional manager, way,Singapore,Germany and isex- sion. Forexample,Jeff Barry Felix DiPalma as general profes- Great Britain. duced by Brooks Arthur pected to be ready by the end of wrote the theme for "The Rock sional manager and talent coordi- October, with the 1p tentatively Awards Show" andnow thatnator for "Rock Concert," and 10cc Tour Set set for release by the end of the themeisbeing used on 'Rock Sandy Kerrin as copyright mana- CHICAGO-10cc will be mak- year. Cody authored most of the Concert.'" Kirshner also ex- ger. In addition, Moelis explained ing their American debut asa album on his own, with collabo- plained how his practice of pre- that there are plans to open a full headline act at New York's Bea- rationswithSedakaand Ron dicting the trendsisapplied to west coast office. con Theater October 25. It marks Dante on several selections. his television interests much in Kirshnerconcluded,"for a the start of a two -month tour. Other new writers now associ-the same way he appliesthat while most artists were writing The tour is scheduled to endated withKirshner include the philosophy to music."Ialways their own material and not using in Boston December 6. The group Tokens-Mitch Margo, Phil Mar- try to approach the marketplace other songs. But the artistsare will arrive in the U.S. a week priorgo and Jay Siegel-with whom psychologically. During a period accepting other songs now, to the New York date for rehear- Kirshner has signed a long term of bad economic state two things they're recognizing how impor- sals in the Boston area. deal; Gene Allan and Gary happen:People want escapismtant the song is as a vehicle."

139 RECORD WORLD OCTOBER 18, 1975