MIDEM Galas: a Critique Had a Great the First MIDEM Gala Was an In- “British Artists Have of Pop Ternational One
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: — 3 MIDEM Galas: A Critique had a great The first MIDEM Gala was an in- “British artists have of pop ternational one. This was held on the influence on the development during the opening night of MIDEM, Sunday, music throughout the world January 21. The auditorium of the last five years. ex- des Festivals was S.R.O. The The Beatles generated a new Palais unique audience was as international as the citement at the start of their lead the^ field progTamme of artistes presented: careers and continue to “Duo Ouro Negro (Portugal), Elis in pop music composition and inter- Regina (Brasil), Ewa Demarczick pretation. is not just the (Poland), Juan and Junior (Spain), But British music Festival Kisielewski and Tomaszewki (Poland), Beatles: 1967 Knokke Song contest Los Bravos (Spain), Peret y Sus and the 1967 Eurovision song Gitanos (Spain), Peter Horton (Aus- were both won by British artists. have the op- tria), P. J. Proby (UjS.A.), Sandie Here at MIDEM we Shaw (England), The Supremes portunity of hearing a variety of per- and some (UjS.A.) Les Yper Sound (France), formers, some established Zsuzsa Koncz (Hungary).” up-and-coming, covering many styles, yet all full of the enthusiasm and love Sandie Shaw repeated her 1967 their music, that has put Britain winning song from the Eurovision for at the top of the International Hit song contest “Puppet on a String;” Parade.” P. J. Proby also made a big impression The artists presented were David audience as did Peter Horton; on the McWilliams, iSpooky Tooth, Billie and Junior gave a good per- Juan David, Gordon Waller, Kiki Dee, The formance, so did Los Bravos. How- Moody Blues, Lulu, Roger Whittaker, it was The Supremes who ever, The Brian Auger Trinity with Julie brought the house down; they were Driscoll, Long John Baldry, Procul thirty minutes, be- on stage for fully Harum and Georgie Fame. fore the audience would let them go However, Britain’s high position in and the curtain came down on the first the world today was not justified. The gala of the week. presentation was sub-standard despite presented the first national France the presence in the show of several considered a gi’eat night. The gala, not big names. artists presented were: “Les Compag- It was not until The Moody Blues nons de la Chanson” (CBS), Michel came on stage half way through the Fugain (Festival) Patricia (RCA), program that things began to liven Jacqueline Dulac (RCA), Antoine up. The highlight of their perform- (VogueU Eric Charden (Decca), ance was “Tuesday Afternoon.” Next Manitas De Platas (CBS), les Chariots Lulu with her American chart CANNES, So. France—RCA Victor hosted a cocktail party at a beautiful boat- (Vogue), Arlette Zola (Az), John Wil- came topper “To Sir With Love.” Roger house in Cannes at MIDEM. The cameraman caught some of the action above. liams (Polydor) and Pierre Barouh Whittaker followed and gave a great TOP LEFT—Dario Soria (RCA, USA), Bernard Chevry (MIDEM Organizer). and Nicole Croisille. Nicole was the performance particularly with his TOP RIGHT—P. Goemaere (RCA, Belgium), Sixten Eriksson (RCA, Sweden), biggest success of the night. iShe sang rendering of “If I were a rich man,” Mr. Jeanneret (RCA, France). I in English, “I Never Leave You,” currently high in the French charts. CENTER LEFT—K. Caglayan (RCA, Turkey), Louis Benjamin (Pye Records, v is the theme of a new motion which U.K.), Mrs. Gerry Oord, Geoffrey Bridge (Pye Records, U.K.), Jim Bailey picture “Les Jeunes Loups.” The biggest show-stoppers of the evening were the Brian Auger Trinity (RCA, USA), Jack Heath (RCA, U.K.). l If the French gala was not a great with Julie Driscoll, who brought the CENTER RIGHT—Dario Soria, George Albert, President & Publisher of a lot of people were very success, house down with “Don’t Let Me Be Cash Box, Bernard Chevry, Marty Ostrow, Cash Box v.p., Harry Brunn, RCA. surprised and pleased by the quality Misunderstood.” BOTTOM LEFT—Marty Ostrow, P. Goemaere (RCA, Belgium), J. Heath (RCA, of the Czechoslovakian Gala — Artists London), Gerry Teifer (Sunbury Music, USA), Mrs. P. Goemaere, Peter Baum- The last three artists on the bill were presented by the record com- berger (RCA, Overseas), George Albert. Panton. were Long J ohn Baldry, Procul Harum panies: Artia, Supraphon and BOTTOM RIGHT—Ren Grevatt, Midem’s USA rep, G. Albert, Jim Baily, RCA. They were Karel Gott, Helena Von- and Georgie Fame. All three have had drackova, Vaclav Neckar, Marta Ku- No. 1 smash hits in Britain. Hurum with “A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Baldry bisova, Waldemar Matuska, Yvonne Confab Of Its Prenosilova, Judita Cerovska, Hana with “Let The Heartaches Begin” and Big 3: MIDEM Own Georgie Fame who is the current Hegerova, Josef Laufer. The overall The Big 3 publishing group (Rob- Corri. British composer Les Reed reigning champion with “Ballad of standard of performance was excellent bins-Feist-Miller) took the opportun- writer of “The Last Waltz” and man- Bonnie & Clyde.” D. J. Dave Cash and all the artists displayed great in- ity of MIDEM to organize a small ager of Donna Music, an affiliated (unable to speak French!) had a dividual talent which makes it dif- International convention. Arnold company, presented his latest com- tough time ad-libbing during the many ficult to single out any one performer Maxin, executive vice president and position, “Kiss Me Goodbye,” which technical hitches which punctuated for special mention. Many were mak- general manager of the Big 3 came has just been received by Petula Clark ^ the evening. The overall impression ing their first appearance in the West. from New York with Werner Stnipp, for immediate release. During the disastrously disappointing when Although, Karel Gott has recently re- was international co-ordinator for the Big week, Maxin hosted a cocktail at The ' one considers the impact that British turned from a highly successful 3. Foreign representatives present in Carlton Hotel attended by some se- talent has made around the world in season at Las Vegas and is establish- Cannes were Alan Holmes of Robbins lected friends and associates. Maxin v, the past few years. ing himself as an international artist. Music Corporation Ltd., London to- told the Cash Box that he was very After the efficient Czecholovakian The Italian Gala was also disap- gether with Ian Ralfini from the same impressed with MIDEM. He said it gala the British one, which attracted pointing. It was left to the last two office. Spain was represented by afforded an opportunity to foster the all the participants at the Palais des artists on the bill to save the day. Auguero of Canciones del Mundo, competitive spirit and helped to keep Festivals, was a little disorganized, . Ornella Vanoni and Domenico Madrid. Others included Hans Gerig publishers on their toes. As far as specially when it was impossible to Modugno. of Germany, Giuseppe Gramitto Ricci actual deals were concerned Maxin ' find an artist to come on the stage in The other artists featured in this, of Italy, Heinz Liech of Switzerland felt it was more beneficial for the the middle of the Show. Efforts to ar- the last National Gala of the week and Barthe Lambertini of France. smaller publisher than the giants with range a Second Gala to accommodate were: Nemo Remigi, Leali, Elio Gan- Also present were members of their contracts already tied up around the ^ the many participants unable to get dolfi, Rocky Roberts and the Pyrahnas, associated group, Francis, Day & world. He considered MIDEM an seats were unsuccessful. The program Iva Zannichi, Sergio Endrigo, Mario Hunter. Also present was Fred Day, event well worth attending. If he did for the British Gala carried the fol- Zellinotti, Umberto Bindi, Marisa the chairman of the Board of F.D. & not actually attend personally next lowing tribute from Bernard Chevry, Sarnia, Claudio Villa, Little Tony and H. He was accompanied by directors year, he said, he would make sure that ' organizer of MIDEM. Jimmy Fontana. Eddie Day and his wife and Bert 11 members of his organization did. MIDEM: General Survey (Continued from page 67) Some opinions are worth quoting. Revox Music, reported that he had Jack Haslinghuis (Phonogram): completed contracts sub- many for “The most marvelous idea that was publishing around the world and two ever invented for the recording busi- general catalog agreements in Canada ness.” Gerry Oord (Bovema): “Last (Dulau) and in Germany with Rolf year MIDEM was much more intimate Budde. but at the Martinez business was bet- Stig Anderson of Sweden Music ter.” H. Mildenberg (Conamus): “We Stocldiolm also had a successful week think that MIDEM will help to pro- at the MIDEM. Several deals were mote Dutch songs all over the world.” completed including a catalog deal Robert Oeges (Negram) : “I am al- with A1 Gallico for Scandinavia. Also ready looking forward to next year’s from Sweden Gunner Bergstrom of MIDEM.” Guus Jansen (Basart): “The Sonet said that business-wise MIDEM system of open stands last year was 1968 was a great success. However he better. All the same I did good busi- would like to see some improvements ness this year but MIDEM is more in the organization, particularly on interesting for music publishers than the technical side. He also feels that for record companies.” at present MIDEM is predominantly cocktail party hosted Maxin of the Big 3 at the Wim Brandsteder (Inelco) : “Here’s Picture taken at the by Arnold Latin in character and would like to Hotel, shows from left to right: to the next MIDEM. just great.” Carlton Cannes see the convention take place in other Joop Portengen (Portengen Music) Maxin, Kay O’Dwyer (Peer Music), British composer and writer Les Reed and parts of the world.