EAST COASTINGS / POINTS WEST

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New York LP Retailers Meet; performance debut at CBGB's December 5, and will do two shows at Trax December 15 .. . Meco's Cantina Band will play Christmas Eve at Disneyworld in Orlando, Fla. and New Year's Eve at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.... Despite W.C. Fields' parting advice Earth, Sonin Predicts New Price War Wind & Flre have realized that one night in Philadelphia was not enough. They played the an alleged overabundance of defective Spectrum arena less than two months ago, and they returned December 7. phil dimauro by Charles Paikert records shipped from manufacturers to POINTS WEST YOU GO YOUR WAY The way is being cleared for Bob Dylan's NEW YORK has retailers. - - - A prominent retailer concert tour of Japan, with the period from Feb. 20 to March 5 tentatively having been set predicted that another hard-hitting price Bondy stated bluntly that "the records as the date. Jerry Weintraub, Dylan's concert manager, and Udo Artists are setting up at are crap," and claimed his returns had war will soon engulf the New York City least 11 concerts in that period, eight of which will be held at Tokyo's Budokan, a sports been running as high as 15%. panel metropolitan area. Other arena which seats 11,000. There is also a strong possibility that Dylan will move on to tour members with The comments, made by Jay Sonin, own- agreed Sonin, who said the Australia after Japan. No decisions have been made about his support group, but he is er of the Record Hunter in Manhattan, came major problem with the current large num- talking to various musicians about the tour. Might that backup band be the Alpha Band? at a New York record ber of returns was the high cost of handling panel discussion of ... It could have been 50 years ago on the set of a D.W. Griffith picture last week on the set and its retailers, hosted by the Music and Perform- undesirable effect of tying up the of the "Buddy Holly Story." More than 2,000 extras were used in four days of filming, with ing Arts lodge of B'nai B'rith at the Sutton retailer's labor and capital. 1,000 for the Apollo Theatre concert sequence alone. Another thousand were present for Place Synagogue. `Under 3%' the shooting of the Clear Lake, Iowa concert, which was the last concert Holly played ... In Sonin's remarks were made in response Audience member Ron Piccolo, vice other film action, Irving Azoffs "FM" is running ahead of schedule as Jimmy Buffett to a question asking the panel members to president of marketing, northeast region, becomes the latest record personality to join the production ... Legendary deejay Murray evaluate the effect of the severe price cut- for CBS Records, disputed the retailers' the K has been cast for a cameo appearance, as himself, in Universal's "I Want To Hold ting that has characterized the New York claims. Piccolo claimed that the return rate Your Hand," the film about a group of New Jersey teenagers who try to meet the Beatles market for the last two years. "You haven't on defective records for CBS was "under during their 1964 visit to New York ... Initial voting for this year's Grammy Awards has be- seen anything yet," Sonin replied. "If the 3%," and added, "I think we can have both gun. Ballots have been mailed to active voting members in each of the seven chapters of last one hurt you, watch out." quality and quantity when we press NARAS. Final nominations will be announced Jan. 9 with winners receiving their awards However, other panel members were records." Feb. 2 during the academy's annual TV special on CBS ... Will United Artists be the com- skeptical of Sonin's claim. The prevailing Among the positive developments which pany to distribute the new Jerry Rubinstein/Charlie Minor record label? attitude was summed up by Ben Karol, retailers noted were the record breaking SAY IT OUT LOUD- While in Los Angeles for a club date at the Roxy, Elektra/Asylum ar- owner of the seven -unit King Karol chain, sales figures that have been registered for tist Steve Goodman decided to "tell all the world," or at least those Los Angeli nos listening who said, "I believe the worst is over." Also November and early December in the to KMET's Dr. Demento, what some of his favorite records are. Some of the selections he on the panel were Roy Imber, president of metropolitan area, and the increased chose to play, in his role as deejay for a day, included "Who Slapped John" by Gene Vin- the 22 -unit Times Square/Record World coverage that New York daily newspapers cent, "Um -Um -Um -Um -Um -Um" by Major Lance, "Havin' A Party" by Sam Cooke and chain; Sy Bondy, owner of Bondy's; Joe have given to pop music in the past six Tony Bennett's "In The Middle Of An Siccone, owner of Record Shack; and months. Island" among others. The latter two were moderator Herb Goldfarb, president of In addition, Sy Bondy announced the worked into his show the following night. Herb Goldfarb Enterprises. reformation of the Record Dealears Known for his unusual sense of humor, Another focal point of the discussion, Association, an organization devoted to the Goodman said he thoroughly enjoyed the titled "The New York Retailer Speaks," was concerns of small retailers. guest spot on Demento's zany program. He was joined by mandolinist Jethro Burns both on radio and at the Roxy. In a stop -off Artists On The Air at Cash Box, Steve said Jethro has pro- Rod Stewart is scheduled to appear on Midnight Special Dec. 16 along with Lou Rawls, vided much inspiration for him as a perfor- Electric Light Orchestra, Paul Nicholas, Dorothy Moore and Thin Lizzy. mer since they met in 1973. Jethro is most On Dec. 14 Dolly Parton will make her third appearance this year on the Tonight Show. widely known for his work with Homer GRAHAM PARKER AT WNEW-FM Mer- The first public appearance of The Sex Pistols in the U.S. is set for Dec. 17 on NBC's - Haynes in the team of Homer And Jethro. cury recording artists Graham Parker And Saturday Night Live. "Jethro is a world class player," Goodman The Rumour stopped by WNEW-FM in New Among the artists appearing on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on Dec. 17 are Emerson, said. "It was a real turning point for me York recently prior to a concert perfor- Lake & Palmer, Parliament, John Klemmer, Roger Daltrey, David Letterman, Al Alan when he played on my album in 1975." One mance at the Bottom Line. Pictured (l -r) Peterson and The Village idiots. of the most enthusiastic and energetic per- are: Parker; Rumour -member Brinsley The O' Jays will perform on the Midnight Special on Dec. 30. formers around, Steve explained that doing Schwarz and Dave Herman, WNEW-FM's Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas," starring Denver, Olivia Newton -John and his songs a little differently each time keeps "John morning man. Steve Martin,will be shown again this year on Dec. 23 on ABC. them interesting for him. "They are just Kenny Rogers is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show on Dec. 19. stories which I tell which come out different everytime they are told. If (the songs) aren't in- Mery Griffin's Jan. 13 show will feature appearances by The Babys, Peter Allen and teresting for me, then there's no chance they'll be interesting for you." He has been touring Ashford and Simpson. extensively since July and said he was looking forward to a brief hiatus before his next ma- jor date - Alaska in January. "They'll probably have us play Puerto Rico in July, too." For Pride To Perform At the Alaska dates, Goodman said, "I am working up 'North To Alaska' and 'Pipeline.' " Garrett Signs NAB Vegas Convention Although he said performing is what he enjoys most and makes his living at ("I had been

doing it before I was making money at it and I'll probably still be doing it when I'm not"), he Production Pact WASHINGTON - Country and pop singer said he could see himself possibly in one other profession. "I'd like to call the play by play Pride will perform at the closing Charley for the Chicago White Sox or the Cubs. But I'd still probably have a guitar with me and sing of "Broadcast Inter- With UA Records general assembly a song between innings." On a more serious note, Steve relaxed, gave an impromptu a - national," the 56th annual convention of the LOS ANGELES Snuff Garrett and United cappella rendering of "Cockroaches On Parade" and said goodbye ... Speaking of Dr. - National Association of Broadcasters to be Artists Records have signed a production Demento, his show is going into syndication, premiering in more than 150 markets. West- held April 9-12 at the Las Vegas convention pact whereby Garrett's firm, Garrett Music wood One, the radio syndication firm handling the show, has projected a mid -February center. Enterprises, will deliver five completed date for the program to start. albums to the label each year. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT? - An Arbitron study of July 14, the "After about 20 years of production, you day of the big New York City blackout, shows that many people spent their time listening to LOOiiiilD fiNEfiD the radio. Specifically, radio use was 18% higher from 6 a.m. to midnight July 14 than dur- get into different moods," said Garrett, "I 101 SOMEBODY'S GOTTA WIN, ing the comparable Monday to Friday average in the July/August survey. Between 10 a.m. want to return to producing more un- LOSE SOMEBODY'S GOTTA 3 24% 14 discovered talents at this point, and I'm (Everyknight - BMI) and p.m. use of radios was up on July as compared to an average 10-3 period. greatly looking forward to it." CONTROLLERS (Juana 3414) What Arbitron fails to report, however, is how much the sales of companies such as Garrett previously was the staff producer 102 THE NAME OF THE GAME Eveready and Duracell increased, since those people obviously were not listening to their (Countless Song Ltd. - BMI) plug -in -the -wall models. We'll know in nine months whether it had the same effect on the at Liberty Records, which later was ac- ABBA (Atlantic 3449) quired by Transamerica for United Artists birth rate as the 1965 blackout ... Alberta Hunter, the 82 -year -old blues singer and com- 103 COCOMOTION poser, will write and perform the soundtrack to "Remember My Name," a new contem- Records. At Liberty Garrett was responsi- (Equinox - BMI) ble for the careers of Bobby Vee, Gene EL COCO (AVI -147-S) porary drama. John Hammond will produce the accompanying album for Columbia .. McDaniels, Gary Lewis And The Playboys, 104 MORE THAN A WOMAN The new Commander Cody Band appears to have split up ... Roy Orbison will perform a and (Stigwood/Unichappell - BMI) medley of Elvis Presley's hits during halftime at thte Liberty Bowl Game between Nebraska Johnny Burnette Walter Brennan. TAVARES (Capitol 4500) Recently, he has worked with Frank and North Carolina Dec. 19. Orbison will be joined by opera star Margarita Piazza and will 105 YOU & Cher, Brenda Lee, CHOOSING sing Presley's "American Trilogy" backed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Choir Sinatra, Cher, Sonny (Len -Lon - BMI) Jim Nabors, Vicki Lawrence and Tanya LENNY WILLIAMS (ABC 12289) . United Artists folks are gearing up for the company's annual convention Jan. 5-8 while big acts for 1977, Nell Diamond Angel Tucker. 106 CRAZY ON YOU one of UA's Crystal Gayle, drew and Charlie's (Andorra Music - ASCAP) Cheryl Ladd to Artie Mogull's home for a party in Gayle's honor. UA publicist Davin Seay is HEART (Mushroom 7021) planning a trip to New York to find a publisher for his new fantasy novel "Sparks Leap." 107 TAKE ME TO THE KAPTIN Even though Davin is UA's number one punk rock fan, he says there is no truth to the rumor (Squamish Music/Corinth Music - BMI) PRISM (Ariola 7678) that his book is subtitled "Close Encounters With The New Wave." NEITHER RAIN NOR SNOW NOR PROFIT - The United States Postal Service has revised 108 YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY its yearly figures which had predicted a $400 million deficit in fiscal 1977. Instead, the YOU LOVE ME agency now says last year's deficit comes to $652 million. The Postal Service has also (Miller - ASCAP) THE FLOATERS (ABC AB 12314) changed its estimates for both fiscal 1978 and 1979. Next year, instead of the originally 109 COME GO WITH ME predicted deficit of $554 million, the agency predicts a loss of $1.3 billion. And in fiscal (Verdangle/Pocket - BM ) 1979, when the agency said it would be out of the red and in the black by $282 million, it now POCKETS (Columbia 10532) says the 1979 deficit will be $784 million. Keep those cards and letters (with stamps) com- Pictured (l -r) are: Bud Dain, executive vice 110 GOD ONLY KNOWS ing ... A bomb threat in the Sunset Blvd. building which houses Chrysalis Records and president of Garrett Music Ent.; Artie (Irving - BMI) MARILYN SCOTT (Big Tree BT 16105) Solters & Roskin PR firm forced everyone out of the building for an hour and a half last Mogull, president of UA; and Snuff Garrett. (continued on page 27)

18 Cash Box/December 17, 1977

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