juinox Springs Onto Charts; Own Studio Planned

OLLYWOOD — Blond-bearded 26- Grapefruit’s initial album with sev- r-old Terry Melcher, whose ABC eral other acts “in the can.” Next iributed Equinox label was unveiled will probably be a Grapefruit comp re in the middle of last year, is with actor Chris Jones who’ll be get- currently basking in the bulleted ting the star build-up as the lead in irmth of his first chart single. “Dear the feature “Wild in the Streets.” Delilah” by the Grapefruit (a British And, after six months of contract group) is a top twenty single in Eng- negotiations, he’s preparing the Ging- land and is just breaking onto the er Sisters’ first for Equinox. A third U.S. charts. “Actually I’ve released single “dubbed down and ready” is just two records in the past eight a master purchase out of the San months,” says Melcher, “the first was Francisco area by The Glad. Melcher by the Ilford Subway and was a one- has also recently produced a Barry shot deal. I didn’t think it would be a MacGuire session for Dunhill and a smash but I wanted to have some Gentle Soul LP for Columbia. product out. I really don’t consider Future plans include the acquisition that Equinox officially got rolling un- of Equinox’ own recording set-up. til the first of this year.” “At the moment I’m looking at a The label is planning a good deal house with an eight track and someone of activity over the next several I know has a lease on a four track weeks. Melcher left for England on studio. We should be operating our Monday (March 4) to produce the own within the next few months.” Melcher started his career as an apprentice in Columbia Records’ train- Kasenetz & Katz Ink ing program. His first charter was by the Rip Chords who went on to Resnick And Levine rack up six top 100 singles and a ‘BOTH SIDES NOW’—Joni Mitchell has been signed to an artists’ contract chart Melcher later by Reprise. The 24-year-old songstress is from Saskatchewan and was NEW YORK—Kasenetz & Katz Asso- duo of LP’s. scored as producer for the Byrds and Paul brought to the attention of Reprise general manager Mo Ostin by Tom Rush, ciates has just signed Artie Resnick Revere and the Raiders, arranging and who has cut two of her songs for his next Elektra album. She has written and Joey Levine as exclusive producers composing several of the Raiders’ gold such tunes as “Both Sides Now,” “Chelsea Morning,” Clouds,” “Circle for Super K Productions. Their first records. He heads his own publishing Game,” “Urge For Going,” “Michael From Mountains,” and “Song To A Sea- 1 effort is the Third Rail, presently on firm and is currently operating out gull.” In addition to Rush, the roster of artists who have cut Joni Mitchell the charts with It’s Time To Say of 250 North Canon Drive in Beverly songs, include: Judy Collins, Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters, Good-bye. The group is a product of George Hamilton IV, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Ian & Sylvia. Her first major K/K. Hills. Equinox is distributed on a world wide basis by ABC Records. public appearance was at last year’s Newport Folk Festival (see Cash Box, Resnick is responsible for writing July 29th, 1967; Pgs. 40 and 46.) Her songs are published through Siquomb Good Lovin’ by the Young Rascals and Music (BMI) and she is managed by Elliot Roberts, who negotiated the Under the Boardwalk by the Drifters. Big Five Prod/s Bows Reprise pact. Her album was produced by former-Byrd Dave Crosby, who Levine is responsible for writing Try is standing directly behind Joni and flanked by Elliot Roberts (left) and It by The Standells and Ohio Express Big Five Pro- BEVERLY HILLS— Mo Ostin (right.) and Run Run Run by the Third Rail. ductions, an independent record pro- K/K by the way, claims five million duction and publishing company, has records sold in the last nine months been formed by Burt Jacobs of B-J Verve Names Berger Nat 7 LP Sales Mgr. including two gold records. Enterprises and the Standells. The In addition, Hy Gold, professional first artists inked by the new firm NEW YORK—Verve and Verve/Fore- the post of national album sales manager of Kaskat Music reports that are the Sideshow, a four-man group, cast Records have appointed Joe manager, according to an announce- Simon Says is the firm’s first Top Ten to be recorded immediately ment by Mort Nasatii’, president of by Larry Berger, record business veteran, to , song. The reporting of the song by Tamblyn, one of the Standells. MGM Records. In this new position, the 1910 Fruit Gum Company (Bud- Jacobs reports that Big Five will Berger will report directly to Jerry dah) has just been certified as a mil- seek additional artists and writers Schoenbaum, label manager for Verve lion/seller by the RIAA. in the music field for its fold. and Verve/Forecast product. Joe Berger, with a background of 20 years in the industry, comes to Verve Records after a two-year stint with Kapp Recoi'ds where he held the position of national sales manager Harumi, for both albums and singles. He has held several important sales positions with a carrot with Capitol Records, Mercury, and United Artists Records. During his

employment with Capitol Records he I between his was branch manager for Newark. |

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He also > teeth and held positions as branch manager with Mercury in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. grinning. Berger is credited with having in- stituted many successful sales plans during his career in the record in- Joe Berger dustry. Compatible Stereo Lids To Be Produced By ABC NEW YORK—ABC Records will pro- duce compatible stereo singles be- ginning immediately, according to an announcement by Larry Newton, president of the label. All ABC labels will be represented by compatible stereo singles, with the suggested list price of 89$. No raise in price is anticipated for the present.

Hot Biscuit Launches Magic Fleet Campaign NEW YORK—Hot Biscuit Records, the Koppelman-Rubin label distrib- uted by Capitol, has signed the Magic Fleet and will be releasing the group’s first single this week. Ac- HAVING A GOOD TIME—A party companying the launching of the was recently held at New York’s Fleet’s “Mary Elizabeth” single writ- Gaslight Club on E. 56th St. to ten by Gordon and Bonner will be celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the an in-depth promotional campaign. Sol Yaged Quartet’s being at the The Magic Fleet was discovered club and to celebrate the release of by K-R’s executive producer Joe thier second LP on the Lane label, Wissert, who will helm recording ses- “One More Time!” Top row (from sions for the team while they work the left): Sol Yaged, Dave Martin, on their first album. This will be the Sam Ulano, and Ray Nance. Bottom first new group that Wissert has row shows Max Arrons, president worked with since he began devoting of local 802, flanked by Cheri (left) I established acts like the Tur- and Ronnie (right), both Gaslight time to j tles, Lovin’ Spoonful and others. Gals.

36 Cash Box—March 16, 1968