Dedicated to the Needs Of the Music/Record Industry July 31, 1911 New Asylum Label Columbia `Music People' Readies First Product Hold Most Successful Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell Signed Convention to Date Reveals Manager -Turned - Label Chief Geffen LOS ANGELES - Columbia day of business meetings on sistance from many factors, and Epic/Columbia Custom La- Thursday, July 22, by greeting one person who continually bels has just completed the most the delegates and guests. In his comes out on top is David Gef- productive and successful na- speech (see separate story), fen-one of the most influen- tional sales convention in com- Lundvall set the theme for the tial individuals in rock and pany history. Attended by mem- 1970 Convention by outlining probably the most consistently bers of the Columbia and Epic the criteria of excellence that successful agent and manager families, representatives of CBS has been and must continue to in its history. International from throughout be maintained by The Music Often called the "greatest the world, artists and guests, People-the convention theme. negotiator in the business," it the convention ran from July Stan Snyder, Vice President, was rumored that once he made 21-25 at the Century Plaza Sales and Distribution, spoke, a deal for Johnny Rivers on Hotel, location of the 1969 meet- placing particular emphasis on some publishing contracts and ing. the ever-expanding role of na- that his percentage for the con- Clive Davis, newly appointed tional and local promotion in the tract was Rivers' mansion in President, CBS/Records Group, consistent success pattern estab- Trousdale in Beverly Hills. Gef- placing him in charge of world- lished by the ever-increasing fen flunked out of three col- wide recorded music and re- Columbia family, and Ron Alex- David Geffen leges and then became an usher lated activities for CBS, ad- enburg, Vice President, Epic/ Photo: Joel Bernstein at CBS. From there he went to dressed the convention delegates Columbia Custom Labels, gave the mail room at William Mor- on opening day (see separate the convention gathering an up- By TONY LAWRENCE ris in New York and remained story) . One of the most chal- date and rundown of the growth U HOLLYWOOD As the there for six months in 1964 lenging years in the recording of those labels. After pointing - out the strengthening of Epic turbulence of that phenomenal before moving up as a secre- industry, 1970 was the year Col- tary, then a junior agent and umbia was awarded 20 out of 44 A&R on both coasts and in Nash- entity called rock and roll con- finally a full agent. He was re- Grammy Awards. ville, Alexenburg congratulated tinues with facilities closing, sponsible for the beginnings Bruce Lundvall, Vice Presi- the sales and promotion force for heroes dying and a general re. (Continued on page 54) dent, Marketing, opened the first (Continued on rage 55) MCA's Maitland Reveals Sales, Promo Execs Near -Total L.A. Move In UA Reorganization MCA Records, Inc., Presi- by the company under my dent J. K. ("Mike") Maitland name." has made the following an- Maitland said that the mov- nouncement in connection with ing of almost all of the com- the corporate changeover that pany's activities here is an "ob- has made Los Angeles the near - vious" and "natural" occur- total base of operations for the rence in the face of the indus- company: try as it exists today. "Los An- "The move has been long - planned," Maitland said, "and geles is a major record capital Dan Alvino Budd Dolinger Bernie Sparago Jim Saltzman of the country," Maitland em - I have often discussed it in in- A series of major organiza- previously served as General terviews and in releases made (Continued on page 56) tional changes involving key per- Manager for Mediarts Records. sonnel in sales and promotion, Bernie Sparago is now Direc- were announced by Michael Lip- tor of National Accounts as well Grossman Exiting AGAC Enrolls 62 ton, Vice President Marketing as General Manager of Sunset NEW YORK-In the last two for United Artists Records, Inc., Records. Sparago was National Merco Enterprises? months, AGAC has enrolled 62 to take effect immediately. Sales Manager for United Art- At press time last week, it new members, reveals Robert B. Dan Alvino has been named ists Records. was reliably reported that Jack Sour, Membership Relations. General Manager and Vice Presi- Jim Saltzman has been ap- Grossman has exited his post Among them: Sherman Ed- dent of U.D.C., Inc. He was for- pointed Director of National as President of Merco Enter- wards, John Kander, Alan Berg- merly Western Regional Man- Promotion. He was formerly Los prises, Inc. There was a possi- man, Chris Kenner, Irvin Gra- ager. Angeles and St. Louis Branch bility that Grossman would con- ham, Dorcas Cochran, Milo Budd Dolinger has become Manager for the label. tinue in another position within Sweet, John Prine and Johnny National Sales Manager of Charles Bratnober becomes Capitol Industries. Northern. United Artists Records, Inc. He (Continued on page 56) 3 Geffen Readies First Asylum Releases (Continued from page 3) of such groups as the Young- Geffen: Well, we help sup- his record comes out in Sep- for me. I mean Jo Jo Gunne bloods and the Association. port all the people involved. tember. (recently signed to Asylum) When he became very hot he If they need money we give it Record World: Is that the are going to be a big group. quit William Morris to head the to them. We don't pay them to first Asylum record? They've been knocking people music department for Ashley sign with us but we also don't Geffen: No. I can't say what out all over town and they took Famous and also quit that to let them starve. We're a fam- the first Asylum record is at less from us than anyone else have his own management firm ily. We exist for each other and the moment but it will probably because thats who they wanted handling Laura Nyro, David hopefully we'll all be together be out in August. to be with. They were offered Crosby, Steve Stills, Graham for a long time. Record World: Is it a one - more by every other label but Nash and (later) Neil Young. Record World: How will this record set? they went with us. They'll nev- Growing tired of manage- new company affect Laura Ny- Geffen: No. I just can't an- er have to hassle with us about ment he turned the business ro? Will she record for you? nounce the artist at this mo- putting out a single they don't over to his partner and long- Geffen: Laura's contract with ment. want to put out or editing one of songs or repackaging time friend Elliot Roberts and Columbia is over. She is signed Record World: Who's produc- their went to CMA as a Senior Vice with us and her first album on ing Jackson's album? one of their albums. We just President. About six months Asylum, "Gonna Take a Mi- `wonit do that-ever. Record Geffen: Jackson and Richard companies don't make artists. ago he decided to finally rea- racle," will be out Sept. 1. Joni Sanford lize his ultimate wish: to have who is an engineer. Artists make record companies. Mitchell is also going to record Record his own record company which for us. World: Who's doing I didn't make Laura Nyro. If the promotion for you? made me. feel is now called Asylum Records. Record people anything she I World: Many that way about Joni every- The following is a recent in- seem to be skeptical about Geffen: We will have an in- and terview with Geffen. dependent promotion staff plus body else. I mean it's a team someone like Jackson Browne effort. Record Asy- who hasn't gone anywhere so Atlantic's promotion team World: How did world, Record World: How did you lum Records get started? far. Now that he is firmly with which is the best in the I But ultimately it's the help Laura Nyro? What do you direction do for - think. Geffen: I made a deal with you, what you the feel you did? see for him? What's going to music that sells and not Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic. people selling it. Geffen: Laura is a totally He's not only the most soulful happen with him? Do you be- unique, creative person. With- cat in the music business but Geffen: Jackson Browne is a Record World: lieve that every record is a hit? out a hit record ever, and with- he's a terrific record person. genius. When his record comes AM airplay ever, Laura Geffen: I believe that every out any Having dealt with every label out, he will be a star. The rea- is a and a personality and record I put out will be a good star as either an agent or manager son that he hasn't made a rec- a success and she's never had there was no other company I ord in all this time is because record. I don't care if they're people all or not. Not every artist to do those things that could even consider going to. we put no pressure on our peo- hits don't want to do because I've is that doesn't Record World: Why did you ple. I have a great deal of a hit artist but never asked her to.