Famous Music Finds Global WB 50% Sales Increase Gave Success Pattern For Labels Label Banner Year In 1972 NEW YORK - Famous Music, with Jack Tessler, manager of Famous' In- HOLLYWOOD - Warner Bros. Rec- new artists on the label. Leading the its family of nine labels, completed ternational Operation, "other product ords chiefs Mo Ostin and Joe Smith sales in 1972 were gold albums by one of its most successful years in makes a great mark internationally, report 1972 as the most successful Warner Bros. artists including the 1972 on both the domestic and inter- for instance; the soundtrack of Paint year in the history of the label, point- Faces featuring Rod Stewart, the All- national levels, according to Tony Your Wagon, originally released in ing to two major areas of growth man Bros. Bund, Deep Purple, Grate- Martell, president of the company. 1969, this year in England alone sold during the year as indicators: the ful Dead, Seals & Crofts, Duane All- The labels are Paramount, Dot, close to 100,000 albums. Though a highest record sales in the history of man, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Neighborhood, Tumbleweed, Green moderate success here in the U.S., the company and the resultant expan- James Taylor, Alice Cooper, Jimi Bottle, Family, Blue Thumb, Just Paint Your Wagon, is one of the sion in nearly all areas of the com- Hendrix and Neil Young whose "Har- Sunshine and Sire. great sellers of all time outside of pany. vest" LP was 1972's best seller. Ar- Martell continued to say that art- this country. Billy Vaughn is a super- The highlight of 1972's success tists whose sales "dramatically" in- ists such as Melanie, Commander star in Japan and in many European story is an increase of 50% in the creased over their previous releases Cody and Donna Fargo have had as countries, and the Mills Brothers are sales of Warner Bros. product over included Randy Newman, Gordon much success outside the United giant sellers in Holland and Scandi- the previous year's figure. According Lightfoot, Arlo Guthrie, Van Mor- States as at home. "Melanie," contin- navia. The Glen Miller Orchestra un- to vice president Ed West the in- rison, Bonnie Raitt and the Doobie ued Martell, "has just completed an der the direction of Buddy De Franco crease reflects a dramatic rise in do- Bros., and original soundtrack re- enormously successful tour of Japan. is a favorite abroad. Also, there are mestic record and tape sales as well cordings which boosted the sales fig- Her latest album Stoneground Words artists not currently popular in the as a parallel increase in international ure included, "A Clockwork Orange," is doing extremely well in Europe, U.S. who continue to be enormous sales by Warner Bros. companies in "$" and "Performance". New artists and she is currently one of the top sellers in foreign countries." England, Australia, Germany and whose initial efforts contributed heav- selling vocalists in Germany. In 1972 Pat Boone remains one of the very Canada, joint ventures in Japan and ily to the year of plenty were led by alone, Melanie was the recipient of top artists in Japan where his reper- France, and independent licensees in America whose two gold albums the Cash Box #1 Top Female Vocalist toire is constantly re -coupled and Holland, Scandinavia, South Africa "America" and "Homecoming" were award, and Germany's Musik Markt re -packaged to garner sales. This and New Zealand. both released in 1972. New artists dis- named her #1 Female Foreign Vocal- same phenomenon holds true in for- The sales figure is due in most playing initial success for the compa- ist. She was awarded the United eign countries for such artists as The part, the execs noted, to the 20 four ny also included Tower of Power, Kingdom's Silver Disk Award, in Ger- Andrews Sisters, Jimmy Rodgers, gold records awarded to Warner Todd Rundgren, Dionne Warwicke, many, an Otto named her Most Popu- Count Basie, and Liberace-all artists Bros. artists by the RIAA during Malo, Foghat and Jesse Winchester. lar Female Singer, and Schallplatte, a with past hits in the Famous cata- 1972, plus the substantial increase in German publication voted her #1 Top logue. "Wipe Out," an early 60's sin- sales by previously released artists in Other Factors Female Foreign Vocalist. Melanie was gle recorded by the Surfaris, the the Warners roster, soundtrack al- also awarded a Gold Album for her highly programmed single on the Other elements also figured impor- bums from outstanding motion pic- tantly in creating a banner year for UNICEF album which was recorded (Cont'd on by artists who made the UNICEF p. 28) tures and the healthy performance of Warner Bros. tour with her." In 1972, three formidable custom Donna Fargo and Commander Cody label distribution agreements were have also received their share of rec- made by the record company. Joint ognition and honors in 1972. Donna Bell's View Of Stax '73: ventures were entered into with was awarded the Cash Box #1 Most Capricorn, Bearsville and Chrysalis Promising Female Artist in both Records, bringing many more artists Country and Pop. Her hit "Happiest of stature under the Warner's umbrel- Girl in the Whole U.S.A." was award- More Moves For Diversity la. Sales generated by the Allman ed #1 Country Record of the Year. Bros. Band for Capricorn Records, "When talking about whopping NEW YORK - Following a land- tinued with the association of Stax Todd Rundgren, Jesse Winchester and mark year of achievement for The Films and David L. Wolper on the Foghat for Bearsville Records and sales figures abroad," continued Mar- Stax Organization, the company is production of the motion picture, tell, "mention must be made of the entering 1973 anticipating the most "Wattstax." (Cont'd on p. 26) soundtrack recording of The Godfa- significant ther. This album is surpassing even strides in diversification, "Wattstax", on which Bell and of Love sales and community activity in the Wolper are co -executive producers, the incredible sales figures company's 12 -year history, reports Al with Stax's Larry Shaw and Wolper's Story. Bell, Stax chairman of the board. Mel Stuart as producers and Stax's Kirshner Named "Artists and products such as Mel- Bell sees the Stax movement in all Forest Hamilton as associate pro- anie, Donna Fargo, Commander Cody areas of entertainment, communica- ducer, has been set as the opening and 'Godfather' are enjoying as much tions and public service as the begin- film attraction at the Cannes Film 'Consultant' To success outside the U.S. as they are at ning of a new era for the Memphis Festival on May 10, marking one of home, but in addition," explained based organization. the most important entrances into the "The entrance of our company into motion picture field of any music TV's 'In Concert' the Gospel Truth, the Broadway company in the industry. stage, comedy records and the de- NEW YORK - Don Kirshner, pres- Stones Set velopment of the new Ardent label `Wattstax' Recordings ident of Kirshner Entertainment has put us heavier into the entertain- Corp., has been named "creative con- ment field than ever before," Bell Out of the "Wattstax" film, which sultant" for the ABC Television net- Nicaragua says. He also stresses the company's began with the Stax-sponsored work's "In Concert" late night musi- current emergence into motion pic- "Wattstax" seven -hour concert last cal specials, according to Michael D. tures, starting with the Academy Aug. in the Los Angeles Coliseum, Eisner, vice-president of program de- Benefit Award winning score last year of will emerge at least four major rec- velopment, ABC Entertainment. "Shaft" and its success for composer - ord albums, featuring such artists as The appointment of Kirshner to HOLLYWOOD-The Rolling Stones, performer Tsaac Hayes and now con- (Cont'd on p. 28) oversee the creative aspects of the "In through their west coast publicist, Concert" specials is an additional re- Gibson & Stromberg, called a press sponsibility beyond his personal in- conference last Friday, (12), to an- volvement as the executive producer nounce that they would play a bene- ABC/Dunhill's New Shape: or producer of individual "In Con- fit concert at the Inglewood Forum cert" specials for the network. in California to aid the victims of Kirshner directly supervised the the Nicaragua earthquake. The con- Branches, Product, Graphics production of the first four of the "In cert will be held on January 18, the Concert" 90 -minute rock musical spe- Stones' only open date, and will be HOLLYWOOD In a series of pro- movement away from independent cials. The first two, taped at Hofstra produced by Bill Graham. mo and sales meetings,- ABC/Dunhill distributors in these areas follows the University, have already aired. They According to Graham, "The valid- Records president Jay Lasker intro- recent announcements of the creation starred such talent as Alice Cooper, ity of the cause is obvious, and the duced a new logo and outlined a new of creative offices in Atlanta and the Allman Brothers, Bo Diddley, financial need of the people of Ma- program of company expansion Nashville. Chuck Berry, Curtis Mayfield and oth- nagua is acute." Tickets will be through the creation of new bran- New artists recently signed to ers. scaled from $10 to $25, and all are ches, new creative offices, tentative ABC/Dunhill whose first albums for The next two programs in the regu- tax deductable contributions. The an- acquisitions and new product. the company will be released in Janu- lar bi -weekly series star Grand Funk ticipated gross for the performance In his presentations, Lasker ary include country artists Ferlin Railroad and Freddie King, airing is estimated to be in excess of $300,- stressed company growth and unity Husky and Billy "Crash" Craddock, Jan. 19, and Jim Croce, WAR, the 000, with all proceeds to be donated through internal development and ac- and pop singer Dusty Springfield. Edgar Winter Group and the Doobie to the Nicaraguan government. quisition, as well as through im- Brothers, airing Feb. 7. Both shows and his wife, Bianca New releases on the ABC label fall Mick Jagger proved communications with other into three general catagories-pop, were taped at Madison Square Gar- have just returned from Managua ABC companies. Lasker unveiled new den. where they searched for and found country and western and a new "Two- product in the ABC, Dunhill, fer" series. Kirshner is scheduled to executive Bianca's mother. During their stay Westminster Gold Im- Bluesway, and The pop product includes "Life and produce two more 90 -minute "In Con- both Mick and Bianca delivered much pulse catalogues, much of which is cert" shows in mid -Feb. with taping needed medical supplies to Nicara- scheduled for release this month. Times," a second album by singer/ guan authorities. songwiter Jim Croce. Other pop al- at a yet to be selected site. The new logo, designed by art di- for release in Jan. Kirshner said that besides top name Two other acts, Santana and Ruby Mazur, consists of a set bums scheduled & Chong were being sought rector include "The Best of B. B. King" and contemporary acts, he will utilize the Cheech of blocks spelling out the company "In Concert" shows to expose new to share the billing with the Stones, will on all new prod- "The Best of The James Gang." and there was even some talk that name. It appear talent in all areas of the music world. Atlantic might record the entire uct. C&W First "The success of the 'In Concert' event. Lasker cited improved efficiency of shows is indeed gratifying," Kirshner distribution and the potential for in- ABC/Dunhill's first release of coun- said. "We have received excellent co- One of the major problems in ar- in conjunc- ranging the concert date was that the creased profits as the reasons for the try and western albums, operation from the managers and/or the establishment of new company tion with the creation of a Nashville agents of the talent involved, as well Stones are scheduled to leave for office of Nashville - Hawaii on Jan. 20 to begin a tour of operated branches in Boston and At- and the acquisition as from many record companies. the Pacific which includes dates in lanta. The Boston center is already in based Cartwheel Records, includes "We anticipate an increase in audi- Australia and Japan, and the only operation. The Atlanta facility is un- three Billy "Crash" Craddock albums ence," he added, "as the viewing habit available open date remaining is Jan. der construction and will be oper- and "True True Lovin'." pattern of 'In Concert' becomes estab- 18. ational by the end of the month. The (Cont'd on p. 18) lished."

Cash Box - January 20, 1973 9

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