”

ments from Ellsworth Groce, also known as Chi-Town Renamed Crocker I ndected # 7 j Stax Bankrupt “Rocky Gee,” an independent record ' CHICAGO — Chi-Town Records, the Un- fact he had received cash payments. Interest Payment The indictment’s first count that promoter from Teaneck, New Jersey. The ited Artists manufactured and distributed charged Kennedy said the bond would be needed on September 15, 1975, Crocker was grand jury charged that while Crocker progressive soul label, has changed its j for possible payment of interest the bank questioned before the grand jury as to denied ever having received promotional

name to j Chi-Sound Records. whether he had ever received cash Dav- claims is mounting up on its loans to Stax. money from Groce, Groce had in fact made

j But if the bank becomes an unsecured payments to Crocker totalling over $10,000 For The Record fr28 creditor, Kennedy argued, bankruptcy during 1974-75, to promote the records of Ave., Evanston, Illinois 60204. rules say interest stops running the day an companies including Capitol, Playboy, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN — According to Howard Bloom, ZZ Top grossed $2, 116,- involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed (in Curtom and Babylon Records. 000 during the first month of their Worldwide Texas Tour, so far seen by a quarter-million this case, December 19th). Therefore, he The second count of the indictment patrons. Bloom predicts a total gross of over $20 million . . . The fifth race at Aqueduct said, no bond is needed for the bank’s alleged that Crocker denied receiving cash Raceway on Long Island, N.Y. was re-named The 5th Dimension Race Sunday, July 18. interest payments from Harry Coombs, a promo- Group appeared in the winner’s circle to present the purse . . . Frank Sinatra will appear in | tion man for Philadelphia International However, bank attorney Wynn Smith five cities in the U.S. and Canada Aug. 21-29 including dates in Cincinnati, New Jersey, j Records, when in fact Coombs paid

that the bond was to protect against { argued . New York, Vancouver and British Columbia . . The Tropicana claims to be the first Las Crocker $400 in cash on or about Decem- diminution of the value of assets while a Vegas Strip hotel to feature three major show attractions simultaneously, according to ber 12, 1973. reorganization plan is being formulated. Tropicana board chairman Fred Doumani. Beginning Aug. 19 through Sept. 5, the hotel Jonathan L. Goldstein, U.S. Attorney for Kennedy objected to legal harassment will present the “Folies Bergere,” Rodney Dangertield and Alan doing “The Elvis Presley the District of New Jersey, indicated that 1 by the bank, saying, "The bank, for Story . . . Paul Williams headlines the Universal Amphitheatre Aug. 20-22, fresh back Crocker faces a maximum sentence of 10 whatever reason, wishes to bury Stax from an Australian TV special . . . Tavares will appear at New York’s Beacon Theatre July years’ imprisonment and a fine of $20,000. Records.” Kennedy said he would have to j "Tell Me That It’s Me . . . Melba Moore stopped by the Peaches store in St. Louis on her The arraignment is set for July 30 before consult with Stax officers before deciding way to the Mississippi River Festival at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Melba J ; Judge Frederick B. Lacey of the U.S. whether to appeal. He has already filed a did two TV interviews and quipped for three newspapers whilst immortalizing herself in ce- Federal District Court in Newark. notice of appeal on other decisions involv- ment . . . On July 21 the Doobie Brothers were also gifted cement shoes by Peaches who According to Goldstein, Crocker is the ing Stax. may soon run out of rock stars to help promote their stores unless playlists loosen up. second disk jockey to be accused of lying There’s a chance Stax again might be re- ORDER IN THE COURT — Some weeks ago we asked “Who is Roderick Falconer?” before a federal grand jury, the first being quired to post a sizable bond if it appeals. Well, we’re still not altogether sure, but here are some additional clues. His UA LP, being Paul “Burke” Johnson, formerly of WAOK, Stax’ chairman Al Bell, now on trial on produced now in England by Matthew Fisher (Procol Harum) is to be “an antidote to all the j Atlanta, who later pleaded guilty. The con- charges of bank fraud, said "We will fight sexual, political and cultural disorganization present in our society." Falconer, who feels j tinuing investigation of illegal practices in this thing all the way.” we need order in our life and music is on record (in print) as despising people like Patti | the recording industry has resulted in 27 Smiih who he feels is a perfect example of musical disorder. Falconer’s album will see an Reorganization convictions to date.

. end-of-summer release; the public will be the judge. Kennedy also mentioned the possibility REEL TO REEL — At Wally Heider’s (San Francisco): Herbie Hancock’s latest LP with of corporate reorganization under Chapter For Life Premieres Fred Catero at the boards and Susie Foot assisting . . . Wah Wah Wafson LP also finishing Ten of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Unlike a LOS ANGELES — Japan’s For Life Records up with Catero and Foot handling mixdown . . . Edwin Hawkins working on an album with Chapter Eleven reorganization, he said, a will introduce itself to the U.S. recording in- Phil Edwards ... At Sunset Sound Recorders: Elton John with producer Gus Dudgeon Chapter Ten allows alteration of the rights dustry at the Troubadour July 28. The doing string overdubs . . . Maynard Ferguson overdubbing tor Canadian Olympics of both secured and unsecured creditors. presentation will consist of a promotional soundtrack . . . Jackson Browne produced by Jon Landau . . . Bonnie Raitt with Paul Chapter Eleven deals only with unsecured film on the label as well as a live set by Rothchild producing, John Haeny engineering . . . Tim Moore cutting with producer creditors, dividing a corporation’s or in- singer/songwriter Shigeru Izumiya. Michael J. Jackson . . . At Hollywood Sound: Wayne Henderson (Crusaders) producing dividual’s assets after secured creditors singles tor Pleasure and Ronnie Laws, a new LP for Fantasy artists Side Effect and an have taken their security. album for Capitol’s Caldera and Arthur Adams . . . At Davlen: Doug Messenger (former R&B New Adds is WNOV — MILWAUKEE A Chapter Ten proceeding reserved lead guitar with Van Morrison) producing Judi Pulver with Len Kovner assisting . . . #1 — Getaway — Earth, Wind & Fire only for corporations, which must show Messenger also at Stronghold (North Hollywood) with Al Thomas at the board for same Free — Natural Four — Curtom they cannot obtain adequate relief under act. Lowdown — Boz Scaggs — Columbia BLT — Lee Oskar — UA Chapter Eleven. QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Dave Peverett, lead guitar for Foghat, on playing the pubs in This Masquerade — George Benson — WB Stax has about $30.8 million in debts with England: “There were so many fights, we’d often find people jumping onstage, pretending Brazilica — Ramsey Lewis — Columbia ” Porcupine — Nature Zone — London about $9.7 million in assets. to be members of the band in order to avoid getting knocked about. Stephen fuchs #1 LP — George Benson New LPs — Pleasure, Wild Cherry, Commodores, Curtis Mayfield. Ohio Players, MFSB, Jeannie Reynolds, AWB, Nancy Wilson, Spinners Reggae Trend May Lead To New Store Category » KCOH — HOUSTON #1 — Who’d She Coo sales, ana at this point we see no reason to 150-200 Titles up in our ‘top 100' weekly sales figures, ex- You Plus Me Equals Love — Undisputed Truth — Whitfield update a distinct reggae list on a regular Town Hall Record One-Stop, Inc. has cept during their first week of release. A Face To Face — Dee Erwin — Chelsea After The Dance — Marvin Gaye — Motown basis." Father’s and Sun's will continue to been compiling a reggae list for five good reggae album moves about 10 pieces years, No, No Joe — Silver Convention — Midland list reggae albums, in future releases, un- and disagrees that Island and reggae are per week.” Entro — Graham Central Station — WB One Love In My Lifetime — Diana Ross — Motown der "soul,” as they’ve done in the past. that list is Rediske did not believe the Apex-Martn synonymous. "That Apex inade- Discofied — Rhythm Heritage — ABC Apex-Martin Disagrees quate," commented a spokesman for the list was totally without merit. “I would say Jive Talkin’ — Chaka Khan & Rufus — ABC New LPs — Spinners, Bobby Williams Apex-Martin, however, oelieves that company, “because it’s not the true picture. that Island is the seller. It’s the leader of KYAC — SEATTLE reggae in the states, except Columbia is #1 — Strokin’ — Leon Haywood reggae is becoming sufficiently popular to We’ve sold as many of Byron Lee’s This Is No, No, Joe — Silver Convention — Midland Carnival’ on Dynamic Records (approx starting to make some in-roads with Peter warrant a distinct list on a regular basis. If You Can't Beat ’Em — Mark Radioe — UA imately Tosh, which is one of our top four reggae We Both Need Each Other — Norman Connors — Buddah Their list, which debuted in July, will be up- 5,000 pieces) as Marley’s Open Up Your Heart — Muscle Shoals Horns — Bang Vibration.’ sellers. Also, the Mighty Diamonds and U- dated each month. Originally grouped un- ‘Rastaman #1 LP — George Benson Town Hall’s current list, which logs be- Roy are appearing.” New LPs — Jerry Butler, Chicago der a disco/soul/jazz monicker, reggae will KDIA — OAKLAND 1 despite the of Island’s now be considered a distinct section for tween 50 to 200 titles, reflects this conten- However, success You To Me Are Everything — Real Thing — UA the entrance of CBS You To Me Are Everything — Revelation — RSO reporting purposes. According to a com- tion. The Byron Lee album is #1, Marley’s reggae program and You To Me Are Everything — Broadway — Granite “Rastaman Vibration” is #2, “Legalize It” by into major marketing of reggae (a sign that pany spokesman, “Reggae is selling well The More You Do It — Ronnie Dyson — Columbia “a possibility that reggae #1 LP — Lou Rawls for us. We sold several thousand of the Peter Tosh (Columbia) is #3. The next four Rediske termed New LPs — Candi Staton, Emotions. New Birth, Wild will but for now, is merely a commer- "Rastaman Vibration,” and Toots (and the titles include “Dread In Babylon” by U-Roy break Cherry, Melba Moore cial gesture”), Tosh’s has no plans to com- KNOK — FT. WORTH Maytals) and the Heptones are also sell- (Virgin distributed by Epic) and “Right #1 _ The More You Do It — Ronnie Dyson pile a reggae report. “One or two titles sell- ing.” Time” by the Mighty Diamonds (also on After The Dance — Marvin Gaye — Motown Mayfield — Curtom Virgin). ing is not a valid indicator. I don’t think Only You Babe — Curtis The Apex-Martin chart features eight ti- You Should Be Dancing — Bee Gees — RSO is distinct form in this Reggae On The West Coast reggae a music Golden Rod — Roy Ayers — Polydor tles in the following order, from one to eight: Tosh’s, located in Seattle, distributes an market, and as such we’ll continue to incor- Love On Delivery — Billy Ocean — Ariola “Rastaman Vibration” #1 LP — Ohio Players by Bob Marley & the into our rock/pop section.” extensive circular, detailing regional sales porate reggae LPs — Buddy Rich, David T. Walker, Bobby Williams Wailers; “Burnin’ ” by Bob Marley & the Jslew by different categories, but the one stop Reaction From Major Markets KGFJ — LOS ANGELES Wailers; “The Harder They #1 — Something He Can Feel — Aretha Franklin Come” by Reaction from key one stops in es- doesn’t feel that reggae is a significant Entro — Graham Central Station — WB Jimmy Cliff; “This Is Reggae Music” by generator of sales, at least not enough to be tablished reggae markets (New York, Cotton Candy — Sylvers — Capitol various artists; “Funky Kingston" by Toots Play That Funky Music — Wild Cherry — Epic dealt with as a separate category. “We’re Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.) as The More You Do It — Ronnie Dyson — Columbia and the Maytals; “Catch A Fire” by Bob feeling it (sales) in Portland and in scattered well as from other one stops in areas as WSOK — SAVANNAH Marley & the Wailers; “Reggae Got Soul" by #1 — Get Up Off That Thing — James Brown stores in Washington and Oregon, but it’s geographically diverse as San Francisco One Love In My Lifetime — Diana Ross — Motown Toots and the Maytals; “Night Food" by the still more an undergroundish thing on the and Denver, indicated varying levels of You Plus Me Equals Love— Undisputed Truth — Whitfield Heptones. Jive Talkin' — Chaka Khan & Rufus — ABC retail level,” sales success, but most were in agreement explained Greg Rediske, Party Line — Andrea True — Buddah All these albums are the product of research director and publications editor that the time to distinguish reggae music for Fifth Of Beethoven — Walter Murphy — Private Stock #1 LP — Johnny 'Guitar' Watson Island Records, a curious development reporting purposes is still in the future. The for Tosh’s. New LPs — Spinners since Apex-Martin distributes the Island “Marley is doing well, and his catalog personality of Marley and the entrance of WDAO — DAYTON #1 — piay That Funky Music — Wild Cherry line. However, sources at the one stop sells, but other than that, reggae is just not CBS were most often cited as the two Luv Myself — Bill Cosby — Capitol steadfastly deny that this was the overriding big in areas we service (Alaska, positive indicators that reggae may yet Shake Your Booty — KC & The Sunshine Band — T.K. Suziethundertussy — Junie — Westbound factor in compiling the list. “We grabbed Idaho, become a major retail consideration. Washington, Oregon, Montana). You Plus Me Equals Love — Undisputed T ruth — Whitfield what we thought was popular,” argued an We’ve found that ‘Rastaman’ sells, at its To date, the most successful reggae Jive Talkin' — Chaka Khan & Rufus — ABC Love On Delivery — Billy Ocean — Ariola official at initiated album on the Cash Box “top 200 LPs” chart Apex-Martin. “Sure we best, about 50 pieces per week, which is on Summertime — George Benson — CTI the project in conjunction with Reggae Got a par with how we’ve done with the new has been “Rastaman Vibration” currently at You Live Only Once — Rock & Co. — HNG #1 LP — Aretha Franklin Soul (Island's current marketing cam- his #30, after peaking at#1 1 on July 3. Theonly Santana album, and catalog moves New LPs — Isaac Hayes. Luther paign), but we believe that Island has the steadily at a rate of about 10 pieces per other reggae album to chart has been WCHB — DETROIT #1 _ Get Up Off That Thing lames Brown best quality of reggae of all the major other “Reggae Got Soul” which is at #139 with a week. However, reggae artists do You Don’t Have To Go — ChiLites — Brunswick labels.” only about one-tenth that total; none show bullet after four weeks. We The People — General Johnson — Arista

45 Cash Box/July 31, 1976