Michael Fires Off `Cop' Hit Investment," Adds Lippman
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MENT Michael Fires Off `Cop' Hit investment," adds Lippman. "He's head. He's a fan of Eddie Murphy, CONE TO ONE J BY STEVE GEIT one of its major artists, and it's ob- so we played it for [film producers] NEW YORK With radio stations viously concerned to make sure his Don Simpson and Jerry Bruck - Richard Branson already playing George Michael's "I records go out to radio and that his heimer and they loved it." Want Your Sex" off the MCA image is out there. CBS was kind Of the potential dangers of being discusses Virgin's soundtrack "Beverly Hills Cop II," enough to allow us to put the song associated with a movie, Lippman Columbia's promotional staff rush - on the MCA soundtrack, but we says, "The biggest possible minus is renewed venture released the single last week. were always concerned that it had that the movie isn't well received, into the U.S. Sources say Columbia was forced the rights to the single." and therefore people don't take the to switch gears after MCA serviced According to Lippman, "I Want music seriously. In this case, we advance copies of the soundtrack Your Sex" provides an "excellent saw the movie, thought it was Richard Branson, head of the dous feather in the cap for every- two weeks ahead of its May 18 com- opportunity" to keep Michael in the great, and knew it would be a block- ever -expanding Virgin empire, body here that he decided to leave mercial release. MCA was eager to public's eye while he completes his buster. Another unique thing is this talks to Billboard talent editor Warner Bros. and join a company create a buzz on the whole album upcoming debut solo album for Co- is the first time we know of that a Steve Gett about this year's U.S. that'd only just opened office. and, specifically, on cuts by the Jets lumbia. "He had the hit with Aretha song written for a movie will con- relaunch of the label, helmed by Q: So for you, in a sense, signing and James Ingram, both of which Franklin and his album's coming in tain no footage of the film in the vid- managing directors Jordan Har- Winwood was a combination of a are slated for upcoming single re- October, so we felt this was the per- eo. George had a concept for a vid- ris and Jeff Ayeroff safe bet and a good PR move? lease. Additionally, MCA has Bob fect bridge between those pro- eo, and he felt that putting movie A: Well, if Steve's contract had Seger's "Shakedown" already out jects," says Lippman. footage in there would merely look Q: What was the motivation be- come up in five years time, we as the album's leadoff single. It's the first time Michael has con- gratuitous." hind reactivating Virgin here? would have been equally keen to Cross -promotion between labels tributed a song to a movie. "He was Michael and Andy Morahan re- A: When we first attempted it in sign him. When you set up a new on soundtracks can "sometimes be asked to be involved in 'Top Gun,' cently co- directed the "I Want Your 1980, we had almost no resources record company, or any new com- very difficult," says Michael Lipp- but he didn't think that was right Sex" video in London. The singer at all. We were completely frus- pany, it's important to get the mo- man, who co-manages ex -Wham! vo- for him at the time," says Lippman. has since returned to Denmark to trated by the fact that bands like mentum going quickly. The knock- calist Michael with Rob Kahane. "He was looking for a movie that complete his album. "He's about the Human League weren't break- ers and the vultures are always "Specifically with regard to George was consistent with this melody halfway through the record," says ing in the U.S., and we felt others keen to jump on a new company and this single, CBS has a very big that was running around in his Lippman. weren't doing a good job with and not give it a chance if it them. So we put aside a minute doesn't get its act together fast. sum of money and said, "Well, For us, the difference between let's have a go for nine months. If this and the last time, is that we're ARTIST it works, great, and if it doesn't, setting this company up for forev- track record includes singing on we'll bow out gracefully." It did er. We've got the resources, even DEVELOPMENTS Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" work to the extent that we got one if we weren't successful, to know album and writing for the likes of or two bands to a that we can fund it Kenny Rogers, Chicago, and Phil- level whereby their for the next decade. AUSSIE ADVENTURES ip Bailey. "He knows just about next releases then `We fo und a But getting the suc- Australian band Pseudo Echo is every musician in L.A.," says Grif- broke very big. But team t hat is cess going quickly racing up the Hot 100 Singles chart fith. our company's turn- gets the ball rolling, with its version of "Funkytown," Upcoming projects for Marx, over was, say, about second t o none' attracts artists, and originally a hit for Lipps Inc. in represented by Allen Kovac and $20 million then, proves that we 1980. Oddly enough, the cover was Steve Drimmer of the L.A.-based compared to about mean business. not included on the initial shipment Left Bank Management organiza- $600 million now. Q: Do you plan to start develop- of "Love An Adventure," Pseudo tion, include producing tracks for The main thing that's happened ing new U.S. talent? Echo's first U.S. album, on RCA. Meisner and ex -Tubes front man since then is the company abroad A: Yes, we very much want to "We assembled this album from Fee Waybill. has really become the foremost start developing grass -roots material that had been released in record company. We've set up in bands here. For Warners and Australia," says Rick Dobis, RCA CARLY CLICKS 20 other countries around the CBS, about 60% of their product executive vice president. "When Carly Simon will be getting ad- world -from Canada right down abroad is from the U.S. We we put it out, we decided to come ditional promotion for her debut to New Zealand and small coun- haven't enjoyed that at all today. with the song 'Living In A Dream,' Arista album, "Coming Around tries like Greece -and every sin- One great plus of having a very which we felt was a good song for Again," via an hourlong HBO spe- gle one of those companies is prof- strong arm here is that it's not establishing a base here for the cial, slated for a July 18 première. itable and very successful. Be- just the U.S. that's going to bene- band." The program will feature nine cause we were worth so much fit. All our foreign companies will Adds Butch Waugh, the label's songs from the new album, togeth- abroad, we figured we could use benefit enormously. Warren Ze- vice president of promotion, " 'Liv- er with a medley of older hits, ac- that strength to help us in Ameri- von is the first signing in the U.S. ing In A Dream' was working in cording to Jim Cawley, Arista vice we found which At same time, and president of sales. ca. Also a team, the Jordan various parts of the country, but New York Debut. Rock & Hyde we is to is think second to none, and Jeff are also very determined then suddenly there was a buzz on singer Paul Hyde belts out the duo's "This the greatest opportunity with the right team of people you establish we feel should imaginable," says Cawley. "Having artists ` Funkytown.' Radio stations had current Capitol hit, "Dirty Water," can achieve pretty much anything. have been broken here in the the HBO special is the perfect past started picking up on [Australian] during a recent set at Manhattan's As far as Jeff and Jordan were and who've got a great following import 12 -inch copies, and four or Ritz. (Photo: Chuck Pulin) dream you could wish for to contin- concerned, we'd known them well. abroad. Mike Oldfield, for exam- five times a week people were tell- ue the exposure on her album." Ini- Phil Quartararo [Virgin promotion ple, is still one of Virgin's top ing me, 'Man, you've got a smash tial response to Simon's album, bul- VP] we'd not known so well, but three selling acts worldwide. on your hands!' So eventually we leted at No. 41 in its sixth week on we knew if we got those three it Q: How do you divide your time decided to come with ` Funkytown,' be attributed in part to the pres- the Top Pop Albums chart, has could be a great nucleus. between all the Virgin concerns? even though we still felt very ence of Joe Walsh on guitar and been "wonderful," he adds. Q: Have you given them a free A: You have to learn the art of del- strongly about the first single." two of his former Eagles buddies, "We came with the title track hand for the first six months? egation, which I learned a number The "Love An Adventure" album Randy Meisner and Timothy B.