.. tgliiiik RADIO EXCLUSIVE jaw THESE GOOD GUYS FIMISH FIRST Volume XV No. 29 August 10, 1990 $5.00 Newspaper r •-• - In Spanish It Means THREE. In Music It Means HOT! From their self-written debut album "Hold On To Your Dreams" "I Can't Hang Any Longer" The hot new single from -re E 1.1.110fell -TY 0 ® 1990 Pnorrt., Records, Inc. (213) 46•-0151 /OW) 235-2300 ON TENTS AUGUST 10, 1990 Publisher VOLUME XV. NUMBER 29 SIDNEY MILLER Assistant Publisher SUSAN MILLER Editor-in-Chief RUTH ADKINS ROBINSON Managing Editor JOSEPH Elf d AND RI YNOLDS VP/Midwest Editor FEATURES JERO ME SIM MONS COVER STORY—THE WHISPERS 24 Art Department INTRO —Kool Skool/Black Box 21 LANCE VANTILE WHITFIELD art director ON THE RADIO —Keith Reed 34 MARTIN BLACK WELL STAR TALK—Spike Lee 45 typography/computers SECTIONS International Dept. PUBLISHERS 5 Jonathan King. Japan NEWS 6 Norman Richmond. Canada BRE FLICKS 8 Columnists Rap/Roots/Reggae. On Stage JAZZ NOTES 15 LarriAnn Flores MUSIC REPORT 16 What Ever Happened MUSIC REVIEWS 18 Spider Harrison In Other Media Alan Leigh RADIO NEWS 30 Gospel Tim Smith GRAPEVINE/PROPHET 46 Record Reviews CHARTS & RESEARCH LarriAnn Flores SINGLES CHART 12 Terry Muggleton ALBUMS CHART 14 Rachel Williams JAZZ CHART 15 Staff Writers NEW RELEASE CHART 26 Cornelius Grant RADIO REPORT 27 Lynette Jones Rachel Williams PROGRAM MER'S POLL 33 Production THE NATIONAL ADDS 35 Angela Johnson COLUMNS Ray MyrIe RAP, ROOTS & REGGAE 10 Administration CANADIAN REPORT 20 Roxanne Powell. office mgr Felix Whyte. traffic GOSPEL 22 DOWNLINK 29 Printing Printing Services, Inc MID WEST REPORT 32 BLACK RADIO EXCLUSIVE USPS 363 210 ISSN 0745 5992 is puolished by Black Radio Exclusive 6353 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood. CA 90028-6363 (2131469-7262 FAIN 213-469 4121 MODEMN 213-469 9172 BRE NEWSSTANDS New York Penn Book Store. (2121564-6033 Midwest lograre Periodicals Los Angeles World Book & News. 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Management: Stan PleseT Produdions ON CAPITOL CASSETTES, COMPACT DISCS AND RECORDS. tiprad ID 11.10 (;i1Pillli ReelerdS. 1111'. LISTIER'S SOLI D A RIT Y hile the battle currently being waged concerning mandatory labeling and censorship is far from over, I can't help but applaud the initial efforts of those individuals and companies whose collective efforts are being felt in the legislative and judicial branches of states around the country. WMy frequent traveling has allowed me to experience the impact that the hysteria around 2 Live Crew and other controversial recording acts have wrought. Most of the criticism comes from a very small minority—individuals or groups seeking press and publicity at the expense of one or two entertainers they find fashionable to bash. This bashing sells newspapers and raises ratings, so the general media covers it enthusias- tically. What I've found around the country, though, is a unilateral support against censorship, in whatever form it may occur. Now don't get me wrong; these people don't necessarily like the music or comedy of certain performers, but they do favor these artists' right to express themselves. That's what this nation is all about. We've got a long way to go in terms of freedom, but most agree that to restrict someone's self expression is a step backward. I find it interesting and somewhat ironic that the very rights some are trying to curtail in our society, citizens in communist countries are finally beginning to get their first taste of, and are demanding more. But as individual voices striking similar chords, we—the record companies, radio stations, retail outlets and trade publications—have harmonized and galvanized our resolve not to let anyone or anything move against what we value most in this industry and in our country; and that is freedom of speech and creative expression. D FRONTPAGE NEWS SHORTS As conservative forces in Industry Celebrates Veto Of La. America wage war on free speech—assaulting such fringe artists as 2 Live Crew, Lyrics Labeling Bill Robert Mapplethorpe and Karen Finley-2 Black 2 By Rachel Williams Strong & MMG, a rap group from Harlem, offers Louisiana Governor Bud- would have also imposed at a press conference which their response to the con- dy Roemer's veto of the state's penalties of up to $5,000 per included Berman; Mike troversy, "Burn Baby Burn." lyrics labeling bill, which was recording for each violation. Green, pres, National Asso- Dealing with one of the the first to be passed by a state Further, the bill would have ciation of Recording Arts and most turbulent issues in legislature, has the recording prohibited the sale of labeled Sciences; Tipper Gore, America, the right to burn industry celebrating its vic- music to unmarried people Parents' Music Resource the flag, the record talks tory over a measure that under age 17. Retailers found Center; and Pat Moreland, about those who would would have made labeling guilty of violating this pres, National Association of allow the freedom to burn mandatory. provision would have been Recording Merchandisers. the flag but would take "This veto is a victory for subject to fines of up to $1,000 "I'm very proud to support away First Amendment all Americans," said Jay and imprisonment for up to his decision to veto manda- rights. "You gave me free- Berman, president of the six months. tory record labeling," Gore dom of speech in the First Recording Industry Associa- Roemer explained that the said. "For this reason, the Amendment! So why the tion of America. "It is a reason he vetoed the bill was Parents' Music Resource f#$% are you trying to scold victory for artists—in because it was unconstitution- Center and the National PTA me/When I'm torching the Louisiana and throughout the al and not economically have been working with the flag I'm only doing what United States—who retain feasible. "A veto would avoid music industry for the last five you told me I could...," the the freedom of expression a constitutional test which a years to deal with this issue rap says. that has made the United majority of experts believe we because it's a real concern to States the world's leading would lose and thereby take parents around the country. This marks the first release under an agreement producer of music. Gov. away the momentum for And the best way to deal with between the reggae/hip hop Roemer deserves the respect voluntary compliance. A veto that is to accommodate the label Clappers Records and of all Americans. In vetoing would also avoid the negative rights of artists to the freedom the Hollis-based street this bill, he has sent a strong economic and publicity con- of expression which is the music outpost In-Effect and clear message that the sequences in the short term foundation of our nation and Records. First Amendment's guarantee to our great state." state. However, we must also * * * * * of freedom of speech must Many organizations, along accommodate the right of free Bobby Day, known for remain intact." with recording artists, record expression to the needs of his 1950s standard The bill, if signed, would retailers, parent groups, parents and consumers to have held producers, manu- educational organizations make an informed choice in "Rockin' Robin" as well as facturers and distributors of and others, showed their the marketplace." several other hits includ- recordings liable for failing to support of Roemer's actions "You showed a lot of ing "Little Bitty Pretty One," died of cancer Fri- label all music deemed to be by writing him letters or courage and vision," Green day, July 31 in Los "harmful to minors." The bill making personal appearances continued on nevi page Angeles. He was 60. The Texas native was born Robert James Byrd Sr. Harris Named WB Sr. VP and formed the Hollywood Ray Harris has been Garde Management for a Flames in the 1950s. The named sr vp, marketing/ term. Flames' "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz" promotion, black music, "I'm excited to be able to and "Crazy" were both hit Warner Bros. Records, chair- work more closely with Mo, singles in 1957. "The Blue- man Mo Ostin announced. Benny (Medina), Russ bird, the Buzzard and the Harris will replace Ernie (Thyret) and Lenny (Waron- Oriole," "Gotta New Girl" Singleton, who left this ker)," Harris said. "I'm truly and "That's All I Want" position to assume new re- looking forward to con- were also recorded by Day. sponsibilities at MCA. tributing to a team so strong." Day had recently ap- Harris joined Warner Bros. Also commenting on the peared in the nationwide in 1988 as vp, promo, black appointment, Ostin re- tour "Thirty Years Of Rock music, a post he held up to marked, "Ray's extensive and N' Roll." the promotion.