How the Chrysalis Operation Works in America

CHRYSALIS, an established music complex in England, company to go out on his own. Sutton confessed that "Ron's made its initial plunge into the American market in February, departure is a personal loss to me. The first year would have 1970, opening an office in New York. Derek Sutton, because been terribly difficult without a man of his capabilities. And I of a past association with Terry Ellis, was asked to set up the learned a great deal from him. We are now changing our direc- operation. tion with the departure of Ron and increased presence of The initial reason for Chrysalis having an American out- Terry. We will intensify our search for American artists -both post was to provide tour management services for their Brit- established and new. ish acts. "Few English managers," pointed out Sutton, "knew "We are aggressively exploring the singles market this where to play in the U.S. at that time. And even after a few year. Michael Papale, our National Promotion Director, was al- visits, they still needed a home base in this country through most single -handedly responsible for Robin Trower's album which to carry out the daily liaison with record companies, success. If we had had more staff, I'm sure that the single, press, agencies, etc., and maintain credit and billing serv- "Man of the World," would have taken off. In our direction ices." changes the first thing we did was to triple our promotion Chrysalis Artist Services, Inc., located at 360 E. 65th strength. We have hired Greg Kimmelman and Fred Mancuso, Street, started off by servicing concert tours by Savoy Brown, and now we've got a great team!" Jethro Tull, and Ten Years After. "Later, we did tours for Fam- In the U.S. singles market, Chrysalis started 1974 off with ily, and Chicken Shack. They were not successful," admitted the Cozy Powell smash hit, "Dance with the Devil," which be- Sutton. came an American favorite, and had good chart action. The The New York office handled two tours for Black Sabbath, record was released earlier in England, and was on top of the and then imported Yes, a group in its second year of exist- charts for several weeks. ence. The tour management service was beginning to flourish "The Company," Sutton said, "is now trying to build an in the States. association with Mickey Most, starting with 'Dance with the After seven secretaries had "found the pace too exacting Devil,' which he produced." Most has artists on the Rak label or my mode of working unacceptable," Linda Steiner (then in England, and has had numerous top chart hits there. Dignam) became Sutton's assistant in the Manhattan office, In his official capacity as head of Chrysalis in the States, "and now is my second right arm." In July, 1973, she was Sutton signed his first American act this year, a group called named Office Manager for the Chrysalis New York Companies Black Sheep, out of Rochester, New York, for whom he has while Sutton became Vice -President of Chrysalis Records. Derek Sutton high hopes. The first single from the five -man rock and roll "Ms. Steiner," he explained, "handles the day-to-day run- band is "Stick Around," which will be released shortly. more and more responsibility. I run the companies here with ning of our New York office. Although, I can't think of a suit- "The Company," Sutton admitted, "has always been direction from them." able title, I'd be lost without her." known as an album company. Cozy's single is the first Ellis, however, will be spending more time in the States, "In 1972," Sutton continued, "our publishing became Chrysalis single not culled from an ablum. The second will be "as much time as his management activities with Jethro Tull available. The Almo deal ended, so we decided to start our Black Sheep's single. (But we will release a Black Sheep album will allow." Sutton noted it has been difficult generating ac- publishing operation and began learning the ropes." if the single takes off)" tion without the physical presence of either of the principals, In its ever -increasing expansion, Chrysalis hired Mary In his move to continually keep Chrysalis growing on the especially Ellis. "We have to draw on his (Ellis') drive and Goodman last May, as Professional Manager for the Chrysalis West Coast, Sutton' has named Donna Siani as Sales and Pro- imagination and his personality and his ear. No one else can Music Publishing Companies in the U.S., weaning him away motion Coordinator, a promotion from her secretarial post. really make the decision as to what is, or is not a from Wes Farrel. record for The new junior executive "has drive, initiative, experience and Chrysalis. "He's dynamic, personable, likable, and knows the pub- intelligence. We'll make good use of those qualities this year, It's impossible for him to do an effective job from England, to help make this a major record company." due to the communication difficulties." Sutton is actively seeking a premise for new offices. The One of the few executives who spends time on the road Chrysalis office is presently located on the seventh floor of the with a group, Sutton admitted, "I've toured a lot with Procol 6922 Hollywood Boulevard building. It commands an expen- Harum and Ten Years After, learning what this country (U.S.) sive view of Los Angeles, but now it is time for the Company to is all about. I've been in every performance hall, and met ev- seek new quarters. ery concert promoter, major and minor. Now, I'm meeting ra- The hectic Sutton schedule finds him in the Hollywood of- dio station people to see what they need, to help make their fice three weeks of every month, one week in New York and lives easier in terms of programming, information and special accompanying Procol Harum on their U.S. tours. During those products." cross -country trips, he attempts to visit both radio stations Procol was one of the first groups to play "live" for WPLJ- and concert locations. It's a must," explained Sutton. "We've FM in New York, and their 1973 "taped live" from the Holly- got to get down to street level -find what changes we must wood Bowl was a resounding success on the King Biscuit make to compete in this market place." Flower Hour. The schedule is a grueling one which sees him putting in "Now," said Sutton, "we are seeking other methods of ex- many hours a day, far more than most employees or execu- posing our acts, including television, which has become a ma- tives. jor force in rock music." Donna Siani In his capacity as Vice President of the record company, Publishing Wing and Tour Service Division, Sutton is "the lishing business. Mary has a good ear and has placed several buck stopper." "I take full responsibility for these companies.

of our songs." I know where the principals are trying to take them." Sutton noted that 1974 started by having "The Show Must The amiable, knowlegeable Sutton, confessed to no presi- Go On" covered. "The song is a smash single in Great Britain, dential aspirations with any company. "My job is the safest as performed by the writer, Leo Sayer. Three Dog Night has and most rewarding position to hold. The duties are similar to recorded it here. It's our first major Chrysalis cover," Sutton Secretary of State. I don't seek the limelight, but I don't deal

proudly stated. in anonymity. I don't want to be on stage. After all," he The Sutton -Chrysalis -Hollywood story goes back to August laughed, "you never hear of an assassinated Secretary of 1972, when Wright and Ellis asked Sutton to fly to Los Angeles State!"

with them. "On the way there, I found they were to negotiate a

record deal. I learned a great deal from watching lawyers thrashing out all the angles between Warner Brothers and Chrysalis." Shortly after, a major announcement was made that Warners would distribute Chrysalis product in the United States. The first release was a No. 1 album for Jethro Tull group, and a Top 10 single, "Living in the Past." These were followed by albums by Steeleye Span, Wild Turkey, Tir Na Mike Papale Nog, Procol Harum, Robin Trower and Bedlam. "That first year of operation," Sutton said, "established a firm base for Steeleye Span, a traditionally English group." The electric folk group toured America several times, each tour showing them off in a stronger light. Chrysalis was rewarded last year with the Stereo Review Al- bum Award for Steeleye Span's "Parcel of Rogues." "The major achievement of 1973 was Robin Trower, as far Linda Steiner as initial record success." Trower and his group played con- certs and night clubs cross -country, to outstanding reviews This man behind -the- scenes started his music concert ca- and public acclaim. reer in England, where he and Ellis "ran all the dances at the Sutton spends much of his time with Procol Harum when University for three years." From there, Ellis went to London they are touring. "We have found that it is essential to have to put together an agency. Sutton got his Master's Degree in one responsible manager for each of our groups -I'm it for geophysics, and went to Canada to work in the oil industry. "I Procol!" It was Sutton who was the man behind the group's spent three years in the geophysical exploration industries extremely successful 1973 promotional campaign for the seeking oil and uranium." While in Calgary and Vancouver, "Grand Hotel" album, a promotional concept and execution however, he kept his hand in the music field by working with which won the Philadelphia Art Directors Association's Gold local concert promoters. Medal. In November, 1969, Sutton received a call from Ellis who For Sutton, it is a personal satisfaction, seeing the com- said he was thinking of opening a New York office. Sutton, pany grow and prosper. In the States, he is the dominant "turned down the invitation, flat." Following a Christmas holi- Chrysalis figure. An imposing, impressive 6'4 ", 200 -pounder, day trip to England, however, Sutton was prevailed upon once Sutton admitted, "I take the responsibility for getting every- more by Ellis, and this time changed his mind. thing done in America. This involves always being the "man in The year 1974 started off with a major personnel change f the middle," making decisions with other people. I work at the Chrysalis Records office. Ron Goldstein, General Man- closely with Terry and Chris, and over the years have assumed ager, since late 1972, announced his decision to leave the Mary Goodman C-4 MARCH 16, 1974, BILLBOARD www.americanradiohistory.com