Harrison Discusses New LP, Beatles, Personal Philosophy Lamont

NEW FACES TO WATCH Harrison Discusses New LP, Beatles, Personal Philosophy by Dave Fulton "The last couple of LPs were getting difficult by having to do all thewriitng, playing, sing- LOS ANGELES - "Be happy all the time. ing, producing and mixing. You go crazy. That's the most important thing no matter "I wanted to have a co -producer for years what you do," philosophized former Beatle because it's good to have someone else George Harrison in a rare press conference with an objective point of view. One of my last week. He added that he is still using the problems as a songwriter was that I always message of "My Sweet Lord" in his music, wrote on my own, except when forced not but it is and less offensive today. subtler to. John and Paul wrote together, and I Harrison reflected on the past, present think it's good for two people to bounce and future during the session held March 7 ideas off each other." (The new album con- at Warner Bros. offices in Burbank. He also tains a Harrison -Gary Wright song, "If You discussed his new self -titled album, which Believe.") is currently bulleting at 35 on the Cash Box When confronted with the inevitable Top 200 Albums chart. Beatles reunion question, Harrison noted, "The response to it is really nice," "People have built up this fantasy, thinking Harrison said. "Sometimes you can do that the Beatles can save the world. But we something and it's like swimming against can't; we'd be lucky to save ourselves. Amii Frank Mills the tide ... no matter what you do. The dif- Everyone (John, Paul and Ringo) is living Stewart The plot goes something like this: The ference between this album and the last is their own life, and if it does happen, we Amii Stewart finds herself in an unexpec- young man graduates from Montreal's that my life is getting better all of the time." won't tell you. ted situation. Last year, the talented McGill Conservatory of Music and joins a Harrison also noted that the work of co- "It was a privilege to have had that ex- dancer -actress -singer was assistant direc- pop group known as the Bells. As their producer Russ Titelman helped perience because only four people did. But tor and choreographer for the stage measurably on the success of the record. production of "Bubbling Brown Sugar" in pianist, he earns a Canadian gold single for today, I look at it as a period in history." an international hit called "Stay Awhile" and Harrison's Dark Horse Records, for London, England. Six months ago, at the later tours with them throughout Canada whom he records, is now a one-man label, behest of producer/songwriter Barry Leng, and the United States. Later, the young ar- and he expects to keep it that way. The Stewart sang on a demo tape. This week, tist leaves the band to pursue his own company is currently distributed through Stewart has a Top 20 song bulleting up the a musical vision. For the next few years, he Warner Bros. and formerly maintained a pop singles chart. It all comes as quite earns a living by composing and arranging small roster of artists such as Splinter, Keni shock. MOR instrumentals, until his first solo Burke and others. "When I sang on the demo last fall in album earns a Canadian gold record and When asked if he plans on touring in sup- England," says 23 -year -old Stewart, "I was I becomes a standard with Canadian port of the new album, Harrison said it was not looking for a recording contract. did programmers. Although this tale of instant doubtful. "But, there has always been a part the demo for Barry because he wanted a I success reads like a fairy tale, it happens to of me that enjoys touring," he added. 'black voice' for a song he had written. be the true story of Frank Mills' career. And Last fall, Harrison and Derek Taylor, for- didn't think much was going to come of it." that's not all. Now Mills has also achieved mer Beatles press agent and WB creative Surprise, surprise. Intrigued by success outside of his homeland with a services chief, began work on a book, "I Me Stewart's singing on the demo of "You charming pop instrumental called "Music Mine", which deals with Harrison's music Really Touched My Heart" and "Closest Box Dancer." Originally, the tune was on a and career. Thing To Heaven," Leng took Amii back self -titled LP, released in 1974 on the now - Reflecting back on the bitter break-up of into the studio to cut a master. defunct Sonogram label. Mills remixed and his former group, Harrison aptly replied, "It Leng took the results to Peter and Trudy remastered the disk for Polydor, and today wasn't as much fun for us as it was for you at Meisel of Hansa Productions and their in- the song is bulleted at on the Cash Box George Harrison the end." terest was immediate. #16 After a meeting with the Meisels at the singles chart. The LP is also bulleted at Hansa London office, Amii was signed to a #140 in its first week on the album chart. Dozier Explores recording contract and the single was He says that the success of the single has Lamont Disco released in England. After following up with taken him "completely" off guard. "I've promotional visits to Germany and Italy, always been a consistent writer, and On New Album, Readies Tour Stewart returned to the studio and recor- believed that at some point in my career, with my music would catch on, but I certainly Dale ded her first album, "Knock On Wood" by Kawashima ner Bros. album, "Bittersweet." In addition, Leng producing. wasn't prepared for it with this song at this LOS ANGELES - Over the past 20 years, Dozier is revving up to undertake his very When Ariola America heard Stewart's ti- particular time." Nonetheless, he feels that first tour this in of Lamont Dozier has served as a legendary concert spring support tle track disco remake of the Eddie Floyd "anybody who wants to make a career for the album. co -producer and co -composer (with Brian and Steve Cropper rock classic, the label themselves in this business stands a pretty This veteran multi -faceted artist has good chance of succeeding, providing they and Eddie Holland) of numerous classic signed Amii. Seven and twelve inch ver- always enjoyed working as a songwriter Wood" were released in keep their head to the grindstone and Motown hits, co -owned Invictus Records, sions of "Knock On and producer, but even as far back as his January and the response was immediate. produce enough product." and produced top selling albums for Edwin teenage days Dozier has wanted to make it After eight weeks, the single is #18 bullet on Mills attributes the widespread appeal of Starr and Aretha Franklin. In addition, as a singer. One of his first professional the singles chart while the 12 -inch version "Music Box Dancer" to the fact that "the Dozier has written several film scores, and music endeavors was to form at the age of is a steady diet for discos across the coun- disco craze has left a lot of upper is currently working with manager/pro- 15 a vocal group called the Romeos, which try. demographic people searching for a recorded for Fox Records in Detroit. loves a ducer Joyce Selznick on a movie project "I can't believe it," says Stewart. "In fact, I melodic tune. The whole world Always Loved Singing much of and with songwriters Al Kasha and Joel didn't believe it. Living in London, I lose piano, but there hasn't been too "Singing was always one of my first Hirschorn on a black broadway musical. contact with the rest of the world. L.A. that in light of disco's emergence." loves," recalls Dozier. "I started as a singer Despite all of his successes as a com- would call me and tell me how great the Mills says he is not bothered by the fact back in the '50s with the Romeos, and I also popular I that MOR runs against the grain of poser and producer, Dozier intends to record is doing but I didn't believe it until recorded earlier on a song for Motown channel most of his energies this year into came back and heard it for myself." music today, because he considers the called 'Dearest One.' However, 'Dearest fully establising himself as a solo artist in Stewart got her start as a dancer in success of "Music Box Dancer" as "the One' didn't exactly go anywhere, so I was the pop, black contemporary and disco Washington, D.C. Working with the D.C. beginning of a movement back to melody. convinced that it wasn't in the cards for me fields. and has just released his latest War - Repertory Company for five years, Amii For all its preoccupation with disco, the to be a performer, at least at that time. So I worked her way up from dancer to dance record industry seems to have forgotten started writing songs for other people to captain to her big break with "Bubbling about a very sizeable audience that enjoys record, collaborating with Brian Holland, Brown Sugar," an opportunity that came MOR music. That's not to say MOR com- and later on with both Brian and Eddie her way thanks to her old teacher, Charles posers are an endangered species. We just Holland at Motown." Augins. Beginning her career at 16, Stewart have to fight a little bit harder, that's all." Dozier's composing and producing out- has also worked in such movies as "The In support of his new LP, Mills has been put at Motown has been well documented, Greatest," "The Return of the Pink Panther" performing selected dates in Canada with a with the Holland -Dozier -Holland team and "King Kong." 26 -piece orchestra. He bills his live ap- a flurry of classic hits chalking up such as "I got my singing training by listening to pearances as "An Evening with Frank Mills" "Baby Love," "Can I Get A Witness," Nancy Wilson records," says Stewart, because, "even though I like to keep a low "Heatwave," "Roadrunner," "Reflections," reflecting on her childhood in Washington, profile, I think it's important that I build a "How Sweet It Is," "Reach Out I'll Be There" D.C. "I used to go into my brother's room rapport with my audience by relating and "Baby Don't You Do It," to name just a and listen to Nancy and imitate every little humorous anecdotes that have taken place few. nuance. I would give my left vocal chord to during my career. It's sort of a Sammy Kahn After a lengthy stint at Motown, Dozier meet Nancy Wilson today." Upcoming type of presentation. and the two Hollands decided to launch plans for Stewart include appearances on "I understand people very easily," he their own record label, forming the Detroit - Dinah!, Mery Griffin and Soul Train as well continues. "I know their problems they're based Invictus Records in 1967. At Invictus, - as discussing a tour which is expected this no different than mine. I'm more of a friend Lamont Dozier (continued on page 52) spring. than a leader."

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