Artists & Music Swedish Success Simmonds Set For U.S. Debut On Priority BY ERIC AIESE on the road to fame with the Sept. for Priority. "He has a live feel that are so versatile, they don't have any I'm NEW YORK -Three years after 19 release of his first Priority we're not getting from anything barriers. That's exactly where achieving success in his native Swe- Records set, "Spirit Tales." else. He sounds like an Otis [Red- coming from." den, singer /tunesmith Stephen Simmonds' musical experience ding] or Stevie [Wonder]. You don't His versatility was evident at a where Sim- Simmonds is ready to take on a new started when he taught himself hear stuff like that anymore." recent media showcase challenge: the U.S. market. piano at the age of 12. "I had a pret- While primarily an R &B set, monds transformed Nirvana's Back home, his 1997 debut, ty good ear to pick out songs from "Spirit Tales" dabbles in a number "Lithium" into a reggae groove, "Alone," was nominated for five the radio ... learning to play R &B of other genres. Several tunes showcasing his ability to transcend Swedish Grammys. Here in the and pop music ranging from Stevie include gospel, funk, and jazz genre lines. music, U.S., however, he is starting all over Wonder to Chris DeBurgh," he says. stylings. Some songs explore other Despite his approach to styles. The leadoff U.S. single, "I Simmonds has noted differences Can't Do That," produced by fellow between the music business in Swe- SIMMONDS Scandinavians Soulshock and Kar- den and in the U.S. He says to work lin, features a drum'n'bass finale. with someone in Sweden, "you say, He began writing his own music Simmonds also collaborated with `Hey, you wanna work ?' You hang ONE CLICK CAN at 19, and after meeting Peter Raphael Saadiq, of Lucy Pearl and out, and you try something out. If Catries (co- producer of "Tales "), Tony Toni Toné fame, on the funky it works out, it works out. But here, they recorded together in Catries' "If I Was Your Man." He says of it's like you contact their lawyer, HELP YOU DISCOVER makeshift home studio. Catries Saadiq, "He's so cool. We have a the management, a big operation, encouraged Simmonds to send a similar mentality when it comes to three -page agreements. It's such a THE STARS OF demo to labels, but he was hesitant. musical taste. He and [Lucy Pearl's] big thing. I think I'm still a bit "I never thought that a record Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who was Swedish -naive in that sense." company was going to pick it up," also out there when we recorded, (Continued on page 21) TOMORROW the artist says, "but [they] called back and wanted to meet me." "Alone," the European version of "Spirit Thies," was released on Diesel Records, and the dark ballad "Tears amusement Never Dry" became a crossover hit BOXSCORE in Sweden, with sales of more than % l l a l n e S S® TOP 10 CONCERT GROSSES

35,000, according to Priority. Gross Attendance In the U.K., budding interest in ARTIST(S) Venue Dates) Ticket Price(s) Capacity Promoter - Simmonds led to a deal with Par SUMMER SANITARIUM Los Angeles July 15 $4,334,590 73,456 Ocesa Presents, lophone. The prospect of recording TOUR: METALLICA, KORN. Memorial Coliseum $65345 sellout Frank Productions, for same label that was once the KID ROCK. POWERMAN Los Angeles SFX Music Group the 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN home of the Beatles was a deciding point, Simmonds says. "It's amaz- ing. [Parlophone] has a very nice SUMMER SANITARIUM Foxboro Stadium June 30 $3,173,885 49,551 Ocesa Presents, I TOUR: METALLICA, KORN, Foxboro, Mass. $65 sellout Frank Productions, tradition of songwriters, which KID ROCK. POWERMAN SFX Music Group really like. The Beatles were one of 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN my idols, and Radiohead is one of my favorite groups." SUMMER SANITARIUM Texas Stadium July 9 $3,160,170 49,429 Ocesa Presents, Most Swedish acts that have TOUR: METALLICA, KORN, Irving, Texas $65 sellout Frank Productions, found success in the U.S. have been KID ROCK, POWERMAN House of Blues A LEADING ADORE pop acts like Abba, Ace Of Base, 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN Concerts and Robyn. Simmonds breaks this

show he has written or July 14 $3,134,755 50,007 Ocesa Presents, at the popkomm. mold twice. First, SUMMER SANITARIUM 3Com Park our stani 19 Francisco $65 sellout Frank Productions, isit 17 TO co- written every song on the al- TOUR: METALLICA, KORN, San FROM AUGUST 13.2 KID ROCK, POWERMAN Bill Graham bum- unlike many Swedish ex- OF A DOWN Presents stand hoe 21 5000, SYSTEM 017 1n to on super- p e: ports, which tend lean stand star writers like Max Martin. Second, his songs are equipped SUMMER SANITARIUM Georgia Dome July 7 $2,603,840 44,023 Ocesa Presents, TOUR: METALLICA, KORN. Atlanta $65 46,202 Frank Productions, with intelligent lyrics and a mes- KID ROCK. POWERMAN SFX Music Group sage. On "All The People," for 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN example, he tackles prejudice and hate, singing about friendship and SUMMER SANITARIUM Mile High Stadium July 12 $2,445,950 38,643 Ocesa Presents, love. TOUR: METALLICH. KORN, Denver $65 48,000 Frank Productions, www.music-licence.com "That's the whole point of mak- KID ROCK, POWERMAN House of Blues Concerts the Web site that can make you rich! ing music," he says. "You want to SODO, SYSTEM OF A DOWN reach out to people; you think you register for free and begin Click here to have something to say. I'm inspired SUMMER SANITARIUM PSI Net Stadium July 4 $2,415,205 39,257 Ocesa Presents, scouting musical talent from around the a lot by people like Bob Marley [and TOUR: METALLICH. KORN, Baltimore $65 50,000 Frank Productions, KID ROCK, POWERMAN SFX Music Group globe. Or ut up your established or things like] the movement [of] 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN up- and -ccming stars and acts now for peace, love, and understanding." licencing deals worldwide. Save time. Despite developing his own style of lyric writing, Simmonds has SUMMER SANITARIUM Gateway International July 3 $1,923,415 31,840 Ocesa Presents, Make morey. TOUR: METALLICA, KORN, Speedway $65 " 40,000 Frank Productions been inspired by some of his native KID ROCK, POWERMAN Madison, Ill. country's music. "I've felt some 5000. SYSTEM OF A DOWN Abba in some of my songs, espe- cially with the harmonies in ballads. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Three Rivers Stadium July 3 $1,623,031 31,256 SFX Music Group Bjorn [Ulvaeus] and Benny BEN HARPER, OZOMATLI Pittsburgh $45.50/$45.30 45,031 [Andersson] are incredible song- writers. Great pop lyrics, but the music is really, really great." Ocesa Presents. Simmonds says he has also been SUMMER SANITARIUM Rockingham July 1 $1,419,335 24,646 MUSIC LICENCE.COM AG inspired by other musicians, rang- TOUR: METALLICA, KORN. Oragway $65 35,000 Frank Productions, KID ROCK, POWERMAN Rockingham, N.C. SFX Music Group www.music- Iicence.com ing from Stevie Wonder, Michael 5000, SYSTEM OF A DOWN friedensallee 7 -9 22765 hamburg germany Jackson, and Prince to Radiohead phone: + +49 40 39 84 07 70 fax: + +49 40 39 84 07 98 and the Beatles. e -mail: office @music- Iicence.com Such diverse influences have Copyrighted and compiled by Amusement Business, a publication of Billboard Music Group. Boxscores should be submitted to: Bob Allen, Nashville. Phone: 615 -321 -9171, molded a unique artist, says Steve Fax: 615 -321 -0878. For research information and pricing, call Bob Allen, 615 -321 -9171. Oaklander, senior director of A &R

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