lack It's Miller Time At MCA Records KACE Veteran Jumps From Radio To A&R Post I can do things differently." high profile during KACE's boycott BY STEVEN IVORY Miller, who signed a two-yearof Warner Bros. product to protest LOS ANGELES While the old say-contract with MCA in February, has promotional practices that the sta- ing "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" "overlapping responsibilities" thattion said discriminated against may not fully apply, Alonzo Millerinclude the power to sign new acts. black radio. can recall times during his years in After leaving KACE late last year, "I've never spoken publicly on radio when he and the record com- Miller says, he worked quietly as a KACE's position regarding me, panies just didn't see eye to eye. consultant to MCA at the sugges-which was unwarranted and un- "They'd be working one single,tion of the label's black music vice founded, but if you look at recent and I'd find something else on thepresident, Jheryl Busby. Arbitron reports you can see that album that was much better," he "Busby and I had been talking there is a problem there, and it's not says. "Other times, promotion menabout my joining MCA a couple of me. The station enjoyed its biggest would ask me to play records thatyears ago," he says. "But the tim- numbers while I was there." were so bad I'd wonder how the acts ing just wasn't right." Miller is far more vocal about his got signed in the first place." Miller had been inching his waynew employer, and about his partici- After eight and a half years attoward a career in the record busi-pation in MCA's recent signing of KACE-FM here, first as music di- ness ever since serving as executive Gladys Knight & the Pips. "We're rector and later as program direc-producer of Rick James' multipla-looking for good songs right now. tor, Miller is on the other side of the tinum "Street Songs" album in 1980 Considering Gladys' recent expo- Jazzy Bluesman.Atlantic chairman Ahmet Ertegun, left, and producer Quincy fence: He was recently appointedand co -writing that album's mam-sure in both records and television, Jones, center, help Lionel Hampton celebrate his "39th -plus" birthday at the MCA's director of black music a&r. moth single, "Super Freak." "Thewe're working toward nothing less band leader's New York apartment. (Photo: MonroeFrederick) "It's just as easy to sign a good actassociation began as a friendship," than a smash. Jheryl has been quite as a bad one," he says. "Let's see ifMiller recalls, "with me giving Rick successful here, and people ask advice on how far he should go lyri-about the secret. I'd say it lies in the cally and otherwise. But then, I'vefact that he chooses the best man always been into a&r. When I was for the job. in radio I always prided myself on "If he finds a good demo of a picking the right single." song, he's more apt to let that writ- Miller is mum on the circum-er produce his song on the act. Peo- RHYTHM LUES stances surrounding his departure ple have shunned Jheryl's tactic of from KACE. But he indicates that it using many different producers on by Nelson George was influenced by his outside activi- the album, but if they all bring in ties, like "Street Songs," and by his hits, what does it matter?"

Although Terrorism Axes Bands'Europe Plans THEYWERE ALL GATHERED for Snoopy's birth-SHORTSTUFF: Kool & the Gang's "Emergency" day. While the rest of the yuppie -infested restaurant album has just gone double platinum. It was the only watched with curiosity, Run-D.M.C. mixer Jay Mas-album by a group to produce four top 40 singles in Producer's Firm In High Gear ter Jay and Whodini's Jalih talked shop. At another 1985 ... The Black Music Assn.'s New York chapter is NEW YORK Traditionally either bombed." table, Whodini's Ectascy and spinner Master Dee, all having a celebrity roast honoring WRKS' general Skyy or Brass Construction, Instead of traveling overseas, three Beastie Boys, and mix master Ice of UTFO manager, Barry Mayo, at New York's Marriott Hotel. bands that Randy Muller pro-Muller says, Skyy, which just broke bread. Kurtis Blow and the Fat Boys came lat-Frankie Crocker will host. Tickets are $150 per per- duces, tours Europe each summer. signed to Capitol after a long ten- er. So did Arista's fast -talking a&r head, Ed Eckstine. son. Proceeds will go toward establishing a scholar- But this year both bands are stay- ure with Salsoul, will remain state- LL Cool J walked from table to table, though most ofship fund, according to chapter president Hilda Wil- ing home because of the threat ofside to promote its new album the time he lingered by the table where rapper/busi-liams. For more info contact the BMA's New York terrorism, according to Muller, "From the Left Side." Even with- nessman Andre "Dr. Jekyll" Harrell and Def Jam chapter at (212) 662-4442... Surprise of the year may Billboard, May 3). out his acts on the road, Muller ex- be the rise of Motown signee Vanity's "Under the In- "It is too uncertain in Europe," pects this to be a busy summer for fluence" to the black top 10. This makes the track the says Muller. "Last year Skyythe Muller Organization. The Snoopy's birthday brings singer -actress' biggest hit since "Nasty Girl." worked an Army base in Germa- Brooklyn native signed a deal with "Pee Wee's Dance" by Joeski Love on Vintertain- ny. There was supertight securityEMI America for Nightshift, a out the rap world's best ment Records is moving up the Hot Black Singles there. Two days later the base was (Continued on page 45) chart and may just be the next major national break- Records co-owner sat with Quincyout from New York's hip -hop scene. The record was Jones. produced by label owner Vincent Davis, the man who What was the world's best-known first recorded Doug E. Fresh. The label claims sales- FOR WEEK ENDING MAY 17, 1986 doing at this hip -hop talkathon? The Snoopy in ques-almost entirely in the Northeast-of more than tion isn't a creation of Charles Schulz or an unknown 100,000... Hip -hop fans should take note that Slick illboard rapper; it's Quincy Jones III, who turned 17 in theRick, who did the raps on Fresh's "The Show," has company of his favorite artists. Despite the big main-signed with Rush Productions and is recording a rap HOT BLACK SINGLES ACTION stream names his father works with, rap music is that may make "La -De -Da -Di" seem tame... Pre- Snoopy's passion-hence the dinner party. After sing-cious Wilson, long a fixture on the European music RADIO MOST ADDED ing "Happy Birthday" for Jones' son, LL Cool J ledscene, makes a strong stateside debut with "I'll Be NEW TOTAL the collected rappers through an a cappella version ofYour Friend" on Jive Records. 90 REPORTERS ADDS ON Run-D.M.C.'s "Together Forever." The strong soul voice of William Bell duets with RICK JAMES SWEET AND SEXY THING MOTOWN 27 27 This gathering may turn out to have been more than Janice Bullock on "I Don't Want To Wake Up (Feelin' NEW EDITION WITH YOU ALL THE WAY MCA 25 50 a fun social event. Jones, Simmons, and the rest of the Guilty)" on Bell's own Wilbe label... Mtume, whose MTUME BREATHLESS EPIC 24 46 rappers spent many hours talking before the dinner "Theater Of The Mind" album is forthcoming, pro- SKY GIVEN IT CAPITOL 22 31 and well after, exchanging views and phone numbers.duced Roy Ayers' new single, "Programmed For RUN-D.M.C. MY PROFILE 21 21 Radio Most Added is a weekly national compilation of the five records most added to the playlists Without a trace of condescension, Jones remarked Love". .. Janet Jackson's "Control" album has gone of the radio stations reporting to Billboard. Retail Breakouts is a weekly national indicator of several times during the evening that the rap commu-gold, and a video for the single "Nasty" has just been those records with significant future sales potential based on initial market reaction at the retail- nity's spirit reminded him of New York during the be- completed. The A&M artist is about to travel to Eu- ers and one -stops reporting to Billboard. The full panel of reporters is published periodically as bop era, when he was a young trumpeter/arranger.rope on a promotional tour ... Cory Daye, best known changes are made, or is available by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Billboard He seemed to mean it. It's testament to Jones' charmfor her work as the Savannah Band's lead vocalist, Chart Dept., 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036. and curious mind that there was no generation gap be- has a new 12 -inch, "City Nights/ Manhattan Cafés," RETAIL BREAKOUTS tween the producer-himself a great rapper-and the coming on Profile -distributed Blue Chip Records. Also NUMBER loquacious young New Yorkers. coming from Profile is Run-D.M.C.'s third album, 134 REPORTERS REPORTING Surely somewhere down the road there will be a col- "Raising Hell," and the fast-moving single "My YARBROUGH & PEOPLESI WOULDN'T LIE TOTAL EXPERIENCE 24 laboration, and it won't necessarily be just a musical Adidas." MIDNIGHT STAR HEADLINES SOLAR 24 mating. Jones said that his main emphasis, starting Singer -actress Lisa Ruffin, featured prominently in EL DEBARGE WHO'S JOHNNY "SHORT CIRCUIT THEME" GORDY 23 next year, will be on filmmaking, including a move Kool & the Gang's "Joanna" video, is George Clin- RENE & ANGELA YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRY MERCURY 18 into directing. Simmons, whose story was the basis for ton's dream girl in his video for the humorous "Do THE TEMPTATIONS A FINE MESS MOTOWN 13 "Krush Groove," is seeking financing for an action -Fries Go with That Shake"... "Lead On Me," a song ©Copyright 1986 by Billboard Publications, Inc. No part of this publication may be repro- adventure film starring Run-D.M.C. called "Tougher sung and co -written by Teena Marie, is on Columbia's duced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, Than Leather." Who knows where all this will lead? mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the (Continued on page 45) publisher.

24 BILLBOARD MAY 17 1986