INTERNATIONAL RCA Canada Enjoys Pic -Disc Success, Readies Videodiscs by Kirk LaPointe reason, we managed to gain considerable ink in the business and finance sections of TORONTO - Yet another mark has been newspapers in this country, which ran set in Canadian music industry history this stories on the manufacturing process. past month, with the Canadian Recording When picture discs first came out in the Association's gold certification of Industry U.S., there was a great deal of interest in the Legen- the Elvis Presley picture disc of "A papers up here. But because this was the dary Performer, Volume Ill." Not only is the first one pressed up here, we were able to $15.98 suggested list price picture disc's get more attention than the rest of the pic certification a first for Canada, but it marks disc releases around Christmas time." the first time a picture disc has achieved Radio, TV Boosts Disc gold status in the world. RCA Canada vice president and general Preston also cited the importance of both INFINITY CANADA AWARDS GOLD - Infinity Records Canada recently honored Ron manager Ed Preston credits "terrific press" radio and television in marketing the disc. Alexenburg and Bud O'Shea of Infinity Records, Inc., and George Burns, MCA Distributing and "strong marketing campaigns" with "We filmed the manufacturing of the album, bringing the album's total sales mark to the film to television stations Canada, with gold records for the Hot Chocolate album, "Every 1 's A Winner. " Pictured (l-r) distributed at the presentation are: Alexenburg, president of Infinity; Martin On rot, vice president of In- more than 87,000, which includes close to right across the country. They used it dur- finity Records Canada; George Burns, vice president of MCA Distributing Canada; Bud 20,000 in export sales. Gold status for ing the news. Also, once the news stories radio O'Shea, vice president and general manager/west coast, Infinity; and Jean-Marie albums in Canada are sales of 50,000 units. began circulating, whenever played pressed in mentioned the manufactur- H, imrath, director of national promotion, Infinity Canada. "It was the first pic disc ever the album, they Canada," commented Preston. "For that ing of the pic disc. That," says Preston, "gave us a great 'tease feel' to it." INTERNATIONAL DATELINE Preston acknowledged the work of Barry Hogan, in the company's audio-visual BBC -2 April 8 ... Following the recent department, with helping break the disc in United Kingdom release on Magnet Records of Chris Rea's the country. "We also checked with other LONDON - For the second year running second album, "Deltics," and single from countries and their recording associations, Israel took first place in this year's Eurovi- the LP "Diamonds," Rea spoke to Cash Box like the RIAA. All of them indicated this is sion Song Contest, held in Jerusalem last about his career and said: "I write commer- the first pic disc ever to go gold. Quite week. The winning song, titled "Hallelujah," cial songs as a function. I write from obser- naturally, we're really pleased." was performed by Milk and Honey, who vation with a bit of imagination thrown in. A Videodisc Potential notched up 125 points. Spain came in lot of music writers and reviewers still do second with 116 points and France took not know where to put me. They're not sure Preston said he has had export inquiries third place with 106. whether they like me or not because they from Europe and Australia (where the com- Ze Records, the New York -based label think I just write catchy songs and that's it. pany shipped 10,000 units alone). But he set up last year by producers Michael They don't seem to know that I can write doubts that the sales impact of pic discs will in view of the Zllkha and Michel Esteban, is moving into deeper stuff." nick underwood last much longer, particularly the U.K. market via a pressing deal with potential of videodiscs. "The entire com- Island Records Manufacturing and dis- pany is exceptionally excited about tribution through Spartan Records. The France videodiscs," Preston said. "We are hopeful label will specialize here with new wave and PARIS - In an interview with Cash Box, ,they'll be marketed early next year." disco material. Claude Brunet, program director of Europe The RCA unit, which he says will market The Country Music Association Of 1 radio station, discussed how Europe 1 for less than $400, will employ a stylus, dif- David Land America in association with U.K. trade mag, compiles its information for its highly ferent from the laser optics utilized in the Music Week, and the Mervyn Conn respected French pop charts. Brunet, now MCA unit presently being marketed. "The Organization are holding a TV and radio 33, has been program director of Europe 1 Stigwood Group discs will have a plastic sleeve, which will seminar April 14 at London's Wembley for 10 years. only be able to be opened upon insertion conference center. U.S. guest speakers in- Brunet's relationship with radio dates Ups David Land into the playback unit," Preston told Cash clude a representative from C.M.A. back to his childhood, when he was an avid LONDON - David Land, formerly manag- Box. "There will be no wearing down of the Nashville and a spokesman from the Jim listener of music programs in France. Due ing director of Superstar Ventures (one of product from handling." He says the RCA Halsey Organization, Tulsa ... WEA's to his extensive knowledge of the music the Robert Stigwood Group of companies), playback unit will have a stylus replace- Boney M will release a new single April 20 business and his ability to pick out the has been appointed co -deputy chairman of ment cost of less than $20. titled "Hooray Hooray It's A Holi-Holiday." trends of radio and records in France, the Robert Stigwood Group. Preston says the company has no future Sire Records has released the farewell Brunet has successfully initiated the In his previous post, Land had been plans to press pic discs in Canada, but says album from the Rezillos on April 12. Titled program, "Hit Parade of the Clubs." It was a responsible for overseeing the production it is still economical to do so. "We've just "Mission Accomplished ... But The Beat year ago that Europe 1 began its club and licensing of musical material from imported 3,000 copies of the Jefferson Goes On," the LP is live, recorded at the research, compiling the individual charts of shows such as "Joseph and the Amazing Starship pic disc. But we aren't closed to Glasgow Apollo in its native Scotland on the the biggest clubs in Paris with the charts of Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Jesus Christ the idea of pressing more albums here at group's final date ... Due out soon on WEA the smallest clubs of the Province and tak- Superstar," "Evita" and other Andrew Lloyd home." is Aretha Franklin's new LP, which finds her ing the average. The station also airs the Webber works. He says the Elvis catalogue is still selling combining talent with Chic duo, Bernard weekly program "Discomille" on Saturday Although his new function will en- quite well, and anticipates further releases Edwards and Nile Rodgers. night, at which time Europe 1 announces its compass all aspects of the Stigwood shortly. "I'm not in total agreement with The Wings' 75 -minute TV special, Top 40 chart. Brunet attributes the success Group, he will continue to supervise the everything that gets released," Preston "Wings Over The World," recently seen in of the station's pop chart to his ability to production, licensing and on -going ex- said, "but I underestimate the fans' demand the U.S. on CBS TV, is to be screened on (continued on page 48) ploitation of these works. for his music." INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERS United Kingdom Australia Argentina TOP TEN 45s TOP TEN 45s TOP TEN 45s 1 Eyes 1 Heart Of Glass Blondie Chrysalis Bright - Art Garfunkel - CBS - - 1 Hold The Line - Toto - CBS 2 Cool For Cats - Squeeze - A&M 2 Le Freak - Chic - Atlantic 2 Le Freak - Chic - WEA 3 Some Girls - Racey - RAK 3 Hlt Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury & The Blockheads - 3 Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees - RSO 4 In The Navy - Village People - Mercury Stiff 4 Y.M.C.A. - Village People - RCA 5 I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor - Polydor 4 Tragedy - Bee Gees - RSO 5 Tanto Amor - Manolo Galvan - Microfon 6 He's The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge - Atlantic 5 Chiqultita - Abba - RCA 6 Sueno. - Peninha - Polydor 7 Slily Thing/Who Killed Bambi - Sex Pistols - Virgin 6 Instant Replay - Dan Hartman - Epic 7 My Fair Share - Seals & Crofts - WEA 8 Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits - Vertigo 7 Lucky Stars - Dean Friedman with Denise Marsa - Lifesong 8 Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush - EMI 9 Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) - The Jacksons - 8 Stumblin' in - Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - RAK 9 Ouien Extenders Tu Cama - Candela - RCA Epic 9 I Love The Nightlife - Alicia Bridges - Polydor 10 You Make Me Feel - Sylvester - RCA 10 The Runner - Three Degrees - Ariola 10 Make Love To Me - Kelly Marie - Astor TOP TEN LPs TOP TEN LPs TOP TEN LPs 1 Barbra Strelsand's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - CBS 1 Spirits Having Flown - Bee Gees - Polydor 1 Los Exitos Del Amor - Soundtrack - Microfon 2 The Very Best Of Leo Sayer - Chrysalis 2 Toto - Toto - CBS 2 Los Mas Grandee Exitos - Raffaella Carra - Epic 3 C'est Chic - Chic - Atlantic 3 Blondes Have More Fun - Rod Stewart - WEA 3 Spirits Having Flown - Bee Gees - RSO 4 Spirits Having Flown - Bee Gees - RSO 4 Breakfast in America - Supertramp - Festival 4 Super Disco - Selection - RCA 5 Manilow Magic - Barry Manilow - Arista 5 Breakfast At Sweethearts - Cold Chisel - WEA 5 HIt Sounds Vol.