' Block CBS International Holds Meets Party' Col Custom Labels, Hosted by Yetnikoff Stax Release 17 During Week -Long Convention LOS ANGELES Walter Yetni- - LOS ANGELES Columbia LOS ANGELES - CBS Records The CBS Records International koff, president of CBS Records - Custom Labels and Stax Rec- International marked its most Conference was highlighted by International, hosted a party ords have announced the successful year to date as dele- four important meetings. billed as "The First Original, new gates from six continents as- On Tuesday, International Genuine, Turn of The Century release of seventeen al- bums. The announcement was sembled for a week-long series chief Yetnikoff chaired a general New York Block Party in L.A." made by Ron Alexenburg, of meetings in conjunction with meeting which included a panel last Tuesday night (30) as part of vice president of Epic and CBS Records' 1974 Convention at consisting of Richard Asher, CBS Records' 1974 Convention. Columbia Custom Labels, dur- the Century Plaza Hotel. (executive vice president, CBS The International Party was ing the CBS Records 1974 International managing director held on the "Hello Dolly" set at Yetnikoff Presides Convention. CBS U.K.), Nick Cirillo (vice 20th Century Fox Studios, a short With CBS International presi- The seventeen new albums president of operations, CBS In- walk away from the Century dent Walter Yetnikoff presiding, include product from Enter- ternational, New York), Peter de Plaza Hotel, where CBS staffers more than 100 representatives of prise, Invictus, Monument, Rougemont (vice president, CBS and guests were headquartered. the company's affiliates and sub- Mums, Philadelphia Interna- International European opera- Old fashioned double-decker sidiaries gathered for a series of tional, Stax, T -Neck and We tions), Terry Lynd (vice president buses delivered guests to the meetings and panel sessions. In Produce. The albums were and general manager, CBS "Hello Dolly" set where a "cast addition to delegates from the showcased at various live, Canada), (president, of thousands" frolicked in a New York office, executives were slide and film presentations CBS/), Bill Smith (managing , New York, setting from on hand from Europe, Japan, for all attendees. A complete director, CBS 8 p.m. until well past midnight. Australia) and listing Custom albums South Africa, Australia, Latin A myriad of entertainers, in- of Manuel Villarreal (vice president, follows: America and Canada. cluding a magician, a fire eater, Latin American operations). This On Invictus, "A Powerful a hurdy gurdy man, a barber general meeting was attended by Woman," by Laura Lee and shop quartet, a weight guesser, a Piracy Report Given all CBS International Conference "Skin I'm In," by Chairman of stilt man, a tomahawk and knife delegates, and included a lengthy the Board. Monument releases throwing Indian named Grey At CBS Convention question -and -answer session re- include an album by Ronnie (Continued on page 110) LOS ANGELES -A report on garding the conducting of busi- Hawkins, Larry Gatlin's "Rain - piracy, featuring a slide and tape ness on an international basis Rainbow," Grandpa Jones' presentation, was the opening and the problems presently fac- "What's For Supper?" and session at the CBS Convention ing this business. Bernstein Feted "The Nashville Hit Man" by here. Present to discuss piracy A report on the special pre- Marketing Meet Charlie McCoy. An album by and its effects on the industry sentation paying homage to On Wednesday, Bunny Freidus Albert Hammond and Step- were Edward Kelman, senior at- conductor composer Leonard the (director of U.S. popular product) penwolf's, "Slow Flux" are torney for CBS Records, Donald Bernstein at the CBS Records releases on Mums, while chaired a marketing meeting for Biederman, general attorney of 1974 Convention, along with all and Philadelphia International fea- CBS Records, Jules Yarnell of the marketing, promotions news of Columbia's upcoming The tures a pair of quad albums, RIAA and Burt Pines, Los Angeles merchandising delegates. classical release can be found major topics of this meeting "Billy Paul Live In Europe" city attorney. in Record World's Classical In Lon- centered around the effectiveness and "The O'Jays, Live Section, page 112. T -Neck offers a single State & Federal Laws (Continued on page 110) don." It was noted at the meeting selection, The Isley Brothers' Stax Rec- that there are now a total of 27 "Live It Up" album. states that have laws against New Columbia Albums and Artists ords introduced six new al- piracy, along with several high bums including "Soul Street," court decisions plus Federal Ap- Introduced at CBS Convention by Eddie Floyd, The Staple peals Court decisions affirming Singers with "City In The LOS ANGELES Albums by tana, Connie Smith, Rick Spring- the constitutionality of the Fed- - Sky" and an 'pi 'n Tombia artists spanning the entire spec- field, and Uru- anti -piracy law. While some disc, "The Warrior," which eral trum of recorded music were bamba. courts have been lenient in features Margaret Singana. among the 30 new albums pre- The Firesign Theatre performed (Continued on page 115) Rounding out the new releases viewed on the Columbia label live at various intervals in the are "Coldblooded" by the at the CBS Records' 1974 Con- presentation of the new albums Bar -Kays on Volt, O. B. Mc- vention. Both established artists and newly -signed Columbia group Clinton's "If You Loved Her and newly signed acts were repre- Stardrive, featuring Robert Mason, That Way" on Enterprise and sented before the gathered CBS made a special live appearance as "Three" by The Tempress on Records personnel at the Century well. There were three films also We Produce. Plaza Hotel. shown, featuring Tom Rush, the Presentations of the new al- Portsmouth Symphonia, and a bums were made with the benefit preview of "Elephant Steps," a Epic Albums Previewed of diverse audio-visual displays, multi -media opera composed by including extensive slide shows Stanley Silverman and conducted At CBS Convention live appearances by by Michael Tilson-Thomas. A and several LOS ANGELES - Epic Records various artists. Most of the 30 fourth film shown, starring the announced the release of eighteen inimitable W.C. Fields, inaugurat- Columbia albums introduced at new albums at the CBS Records the convention will be released ed a series of W.C. Fields record- 1974 Convention. ings to released on Columbia in the weeks following the an- be Attendees at the convention nual meetings. in the near future. were introduced to the new Epic The presentations included new New Artist Presentations releases via slide, film and live product by such established Finally, there were a series of presentations at both formal and Columbia recording artists as new artist presentations, spot- informal gatherings during the Blood, Sweat & Tears, Vikki Carr, lighting five acts recently signed week. Personal Management Chicago, Ray Conniff, Mac Davis, to the Columbia label. American Miles Davis, Barbara Fairchild, Tears, Cecilio & Kapono, Cotton- Albums IRVING N. MICAHNIK Maynard Ferguson, Herbie Han- wood South, Journey and Diana Among the albums released 1650 B' WAY, N .Y. 10019 cock, Dr. Hook & the Medicine Markovitz are the new additions were new albums from Argent, (212) 757-7374 Show, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny to the Columbia roster whose Colin Blunstone, George Jones, James, Robert Lamm, Barbara debut albums were previewed at Johnny Nash, Shuggie Otis, Johnny Mandrell, Roger McGuinn, San- the convention. (Continued on page 115)

20 RECORD WORLD AUGUST 10, 1974

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