Hits of the Week
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_JICATED TO THE NEEDS OF THE MUSIC/RErORD MUS7RY FEBRUA Y 10, 1979 $2.25 ev Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson,. I HITS OF THE WEEK SINGLES SLEEPERS ALBUMS BILLY JOEL, "BIG SHOT" (prod. by P. Ra- CHER, "TAKE ME HOME" (prod. by B. ANNE MURRAY, "NEW KIND OF mone) (writer: Joel) (Impulsive/ Esty) (writers: Aller-Esty) (Rick's, FEELING." "You Needed Me," Mur- April, ASCAP) (3:39). Joel's fine BMI) (3:26). Cher launches her ray's last single, helped to revitalize sense of sarcasm and his finesse new disco image with this stun- her career and this new set pro- asastory -tellerareperfectly ning Bob Esty production, per- duced by Jim Ed Norman should blended on this second release 0fectly suited to her powerful deliv- continue the chart streak. "I Just from the "52nd Street" Ip. It's al- ery and sensuous insinuations. Fall In Love Again" and a re -make ready an AOR hit. Columbia 3- Just right for dancin'. Casablanca of "You Got WhatIt Takes" are 10913. 965. highlights. Capitol SW 11849 (7.98). LINDA RONSTADT, "JUST ONE LOOK" KAYAK, "KEEP THE CHANGE" (prod. by SISTER SLEDGE, "WE ARE FAM- (prod. by Asher) (writers: Carroll - MacKay -Kayak) (writer:Scher-ILY." This talented singing foursome Payne) (Premier, BMI) (3:20). The penzeel) (Heavy, BMI) (3:38). The has been paired with Bernard Ed- song's been a hit at least twice Dutch group has gained support wards and Nile Rodgers of Chic. before but Ronstadt gives it the here with each Ip release and this The combination has resultedin definitive'70streatmen:here. prime pop rocker could give them some percolating rhythmic music, Ithas something for everyone, loads of Top 40 presence as well. strong material and their solid vo- right for pop/adult and country Adult programmers should also cals on "He's the Greatest Dancer." consideration. Asylum 46C11. take note. Janus 278. Cotillion SD 5209 (AtI) (7.98). DAN HARTMAN, "THIS IS IT" (prod. by KIM CARNES, "IT HURTS SO BAD" (prod. BROOKLYN DREAMS, "SLEEPLESS Hartman) (writer: same) (Silver by Moore -Ellingson -Carnes) (writ- NIGHTS." The trio is currently bul- Steed, BMI) (3:30). Hartman's "In- er: Carnes) (Almo/ Brown Shoes/ leting up the charts with "Heaven stant Replay" was a major pop/ Quixotic, ASCAP) (3:02). Carnes' Knows" (sung with Donna Summer) 10disco/BOS hit and this new re- debut for the label is an effective and shows a pop flair with a couple lease has all the same ingredi- ballad that focuses on her Rod of commercial blue-eyed soul tunes. ents. His high, bright vocals drive Stewart -likevocals toget the "Make ItLast" and "Street Man" it from the opening notes. Blue message across with class. EMI - should lead the way. Casablanca Sky 2775 (CBS). America 8011. NRLP 7135 (7 98) FUNKADELIC, "CHOLLY (FUNK GETTING THE MARC TANNER BAND, "ELENA" (prod. JIMMIE MACK, "ON THE CORNER." READY TO ROLL)" (prod. by G. (prod. by N. Jeffrey) (writers: Tan- With just his second solo album, Clinton)(writers:Collins -Morri- ner -Jeffrey -Monday) (Likewise/ Mack has emerged as a passionate son -Clinton) (Malbiz, BMI) (3:45). WB, BMI) (3:29). The group is al- rocker who has used the studio to The P -Funk school of disco/BOS ready well known in Los Angeles embellish his material with just the craziness gets another workout and this smooth pop/rocker de- right amount of pop polish."I'd here. The beat is meant for hip - but should give them national Rather Be the One" stands out as swinging and chart crossover. presence. Big sax parts add life. the potential single hit. Big Tree BT Warner Bros. 8735. Eiektra 46003. 76014 (AtI) (7.98). AmericanRadioHistory.Com THE WORD IS OUT: 'NO MEAN CITY' IS THE MOST POWERFUL NAZARETH ALBUM YET." Withsomeof the strongest material they've ever recorded along with a massive new tour, Nazareth unleashes a new surge of power toignite the airwaves of America. NAZARETH "NO MEAN CITY"ON A&M RECORDS&TAPESff SP 4741 Includes the single "May The Sunshine:' Watch for Nazareth on Thur in YOUR City Soon. Produced by Manny Charlton .c.,1979 A&M R.cords, Inc. All Rights Reserved. AmericanRadioHistory.Com Dedicated to the Needs of the Music/Record Industry FEBRUARY 10, 1979 RECORDWORLD 112 Platinum, 254 GoldMCA Announces ABC Records Purchase; RIAA Certified in '78 ME NEW YORK - An all-time high Bergamo Details Divisional Restructuring of 112 platinum record awards By SAM SUTHERLAND LOS ANGELES - With MCA,distribution agreements or cata- for 10 singles and 102 long-play- I LOS ANGELES - MCA, Inc., Inc.'s acquisition of ABC Records,logue acquisitions. ing albums and/or their counter- and American Broadcasting Com- total gross sales for the reinforced Unrelated to the ABC purchase, parts on pre-recorded tapes were panies, Inc. (ABC, Inc.) formallymusic operations of theenter- but to the eventual fate of ABC certified by the Recording Indus- unveiled a just -completed agree- tainment giant are being targeted actsstillcontractedunder the tryAssociationof Americain ment at mid -week whereby MCA at $150,000,000 during fiscal 1979, new agreement,Bergamoalso 1978. In 1977, three singles and will purchase ABC Records. And representing a 50 percent increaseoutlinedseveralkey alterations 68 albums/tapes were certified while the announcements ended in volume, according to Al Ber-of his division's structure, as well for platinum record awards. months of trade speculation-asgamo, president of MCA Distri-as its operational strategy during RIAA also said that it had cer- wellasinternal anxiety among bution, Inc. the first two quarters of this year. tified 61 singles and 193 albums/ ABC Records staffers-over the In an interview with RW last Distribution tapes for gold record awards dur- label's fate, news of another ma- Wednesday (31), as news of the Bergamodidprovidesome ing 1978, compared with 55 sin- jorshiftto branch distribution deal spread throughout the finan-added detailconcerning imple- gles and 183 albums/tapesin further heightened concern cial community and the musicmentation of ABC purchase, 1977. among manufacturers and distrib- business itself, Bergamo reviewedwhich awaits a minimum 30 -day Thecertificationrequirement utors over independent distribu- his initial efforts to gear up MCA'swaiting period required for pub- for platinum record awards, for tion's shrinking share of market. revamped distribution and man-licly -owned organizations by gov- which only recordings released Although MCA's official com- ufacturingoperationsforwhaternment regulatory agencies. on or after January 1, 1976 are munique,datedTuesday(30), he now saysisa capacityofWhile formalapprovalofthe eligible,isa minimum saleof comprised a terse joint confirma- $200,000,000 in volume --one in-transaction will thus be delayed two million copies of a single or tion of the transaction by MCAdication of further headroom foruntil February 28 at the earliest, (Continued on page 52) (Continued on page 22) expansion, either via subsequentand couldtakelonger,"We'll start manufacturing and distribut- ingalmostimmediately,"says Col Leads Labels in '78 Chart Shares; Bergamo."We'll be involved heavily by next week." Meanwhile, ABC has reportedly WEA Holds Most Positions of Any Group toldits independent distributors chart for the year. With the add- for 52 weeks, for example, would By MARC KIRKEBY that they will continue to control NEW YORK - Columbia Rec- ed chart shares of the indepen- thus earn 52 points. The totals dosales for the next 14 days, and nottakeinto relative ords held more Singles and Al-dent labels which moved or an- account (Continued on page 23) bum Chart positions in 1978 than nounced moves to branch distri- positions on the charts, and so any other individual label, while bution during the year and during do not exactly reflect a compa- Warner-Elektra-Atlantic and their January 1979, the totals would be ny's sales. The goal of the study McCartney & Wings z affiliates had the most positions above 85 percent for both charts. was rather a view of each com- on both charts of any group or The results represent a com- pany's share of the charts. !Sign with Columbia pilation of RW's top 100 charts distribution company. Fortheindividualcompany NEW YORK - Walter Yetni- for each week of 1978. Compa- The six branch -distributed com- categories, any label with a sepa- koff,president,CBS/Records panies, CBS, WEA, Polygram, nies were given one point for ratestaff or structure was con- Group, has announced that Paul RCA, Capitol/EMI and MCA, ac- eachrecord on eachchart;a sidered separately, even ifit was McCartney and Wings have counted for 74 percent of each record listed on the Album Charta wholly -owned subsidiary of a signed a recording agreement larger company; any company not (Continued on page 52) (Continued on page 39) -MUIMURRIMHUUURR.H.M.I.H.IMH.IHMOHHUO.H.HHHOHMOIMUU., RECORDVVIRLD SALES 1WCBS Holds Mktg. Meetings in Dallas; Albums 1978 1979 sin9les McCartney Signing, Label Deals Spotlighted 330.0 I DALLAS-CBS Records key ex- I achievements in 1978 and out - rrpnf 300.0 and - 270.0 240.0 210.0 f1( 180.4 moonal. branch ce.s I on.zn-Cciur.lb,a zind Jai: ...al, e. CF..S La- rrier- ' chariciising, CPS ecc.:-cis. Bruct::L,;;)c4'i-dipresiderit, CBS \i"etnikoff, president, Gales cwst-sectier., c cur tr e seise zints z,vt reiatiers, radii ka-i:iJez:. and one -stops cier.cas the oeuriti,,. The base Records Cieii ed E:b!=7:ecoids CrouTL., announced Loth :lie and eibmn ;after. 14 a sinoothed aterage of thoseLan satire reports I 1(e.; rlor, zdcir.-ss, in \A'hich he con- oconinany executives on Friday during pd rAtit each YStrakly figur.i. being. a pe>car,togeir.creasis decrter,a the base,`tortroth singles and siburns is 1.30.r.l.