Ghost Spins `Stories' on Warner U.K
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Artists & Music Ghost Spins `Stories' On Warner U.K. Singer/Songwriter Already Has Club Hit In The States BY PAUL SEXTON who describes her sound as "some- steadily climbing that survey over LONDON -Warner Bros. believes where between Stevie Nicks and the past two months; it reaches No. that in the recently sparse genre of Edith Piaf." He adds that she "sings 15 this issue. contemporary British in the key of heartbreak." Ghost had been chasing a deal for adult -leaning female As a writer, Ghost has some four years when Wickham got artists, they have one already scored with around to listening to a CD demo of with more than a ghost of "Empty (Hideaway)," her hers left with him by her manager, a chance. The early signs co- composition on fellow Terry Slater, another industry vet- are certainly encourag- Englishwoman Sonique's eran who knew the executive from Slaves To Ozzy. The members of new band Slaves On Dope take a break from ing for singer/songwriter "Hear My Cry" album on Slater's time as manager of a -ha, mixing tracks on their forthcoming debut disc, "Inches From The Machine," the Amanda Ghost, with a Farmclub.com/Republic / which Wickham signed. Ghost first release on Ozzy Osbourne's new label, Divine Recordings. The project is top five U.S. club hit; a Universal in the U.S. and recounts the story as an example of slated for an Oct. 3 release. The band is featured on Osbourne's Ozzfest tour band of star supporters Serious /Universal in how fickle the world of A &R can be. this summer. Pictured standing, from left, are Divine GM Scott Givens, band including Elton John, Britain. "I got a call- [Wickham] wanted manager Alex Guerrero, and band members Rob Urbani and Kevin Jardine. Liam Howlett of Prodigy, Her full -length debut, to meet me. I was about to do a deal Seated, from left, are band member Jason Rockman, producer Thom Panunzio, and Boy George; and a "Ghost Stories," is set for with a little indie label. I go in, sit and band member Frank Salvaggio. song cover by one of the release Aug. 21 in the (Continued on next page) most successful British U.K. (where by then she artists of the year. will be two singles into Based in North Lon- GHO ST her domestic career). It don, of Indian and Span- will be issued Sept. 12 in ish parentage, Ghost also the U.S., where Ghost has The Bangles Are Back; Twisted Sister Isn't, has the distinction of being signed to had the bonus of a major success on the U.S. label for the world by the Billboard's Hot Dance Music /Club English A &R veteran who signed Play Chart. The Peter Rauhofer But Noch, Sevendust, lit Are Paying Tribute Joni Mitchell-Warner Bros. VP of remix of "Filthy Mind," the opening A &R, worldwide, Andrew Wickham, track on "Ghost Stories," has been COMING AROUND AGAIN: The September dates doing this for the right reasons -for the joy of music that kick off the Bangles reunion tour are just the and performing and connecting to our audience." beginning of the group's resurgence, according to lead Regardless of what happens this go-round, Peterson singer Susanna Hoffs and drummer Debbi Peterson. laughingly adds that she already has proof the band has Eagle Records' Joe Cocker Has "There's going to be a lot more shows," promises Peter- left its mark for future generations. "I saw a commer- son. cial for something on the Disney Channel, because obvi- "The focus isn't about going on tour and playing ously my tastes have changed since having a kid, and New Label, New Set, New Tour under some '80s banner or just getting together for a they were doing the Egyptian moves from `Walk Like summer to play the hits," says Hoffs. "This is all about An Egyptian,' and I thought, `We influenced this dance BY IAN PERCIVAL which is always a battle." returning as a band, being a creative unit, making craze! We did it in the '80s, and I'm still seeing it in the NEW YORK -Joe Cocker is among "No Ordinary World" has contribu- records together, and performing together." '00s!' " the rare artists who can lay claim to tions from Michael McDonald, Paul Hoffs says she was the one who began needling her having had hits in the '60s, '70s, '80s, Brady, Bryan Adams, Leonard Cohen, bandmates -who also include guitarist Yield Peterson LET'S TWIST AGAIN: Koch Records is preparing a and '90s. Although he says those in this and Will Jennings. and bassist Michael Steele -about getting back Twisted Sister tribute album that is tentatively slated elite group are often called "music's This is Cocker's first recording for together after the group called it to include cuts from Motorhead, dinosaurs," he's ready to conquer his Eagle, a division of the U.K. -based quits in 1989. "Vicki joked about Sevendust, Sugar Ray, and Lit. fifth decade. Eagle Rock Entertainment. Eagle is how I made yearly calls that be- The album, which is scheduled for "It's funny that writers often refer distributed and marketed in the U.S. came biyearly that became a November release, will follow a to musicians my age as dinosaurs," he by RED Distribution's Red Ink Divi- bimonthly," says Hoffs. "I'd say, solo album from Twisted Sister says. "But unlike some of these new sion, which is aiming for AC airplay for `You know what? I miss the band. leader Dee Snider, whose "Never boy bands who come and go, we go on the first single, "She Believes In Me," We should be together.' I'd call her Let The Bastards Wear You and on selling out concerts and mak- penned by Adams. out of the blue and say, 'I have that Down" hits stores Aug. 22 on ing records." The single goes to radio Tuesday feeling today,' and she'd say, `I'm Koch. According to Snider, who is At 56, Cocker is backwith "No Ordi- (25). "We all feel like we have a hit sin- not quite ready.' " by Melinda Newman now working as morning DJ on nary World," his first set for Eagle gle for this format," says Howard Eventually, Hoffs' timing was WMRQ Hartford, Conn., this will Records, as well as an extensive tour Gabriel, VP/GM of Red Ink. right. "Susanna and I got together be the end of his musical career, that includes 20 dates as a special guest Gabriel adds that a key part of the and started writing about four years age. She was preg- putting to rest any speculation that he may reunite with on Tina Turner's ongoing road jaunt. promotion will involve media exposure, nant with her second child, and I was pregnant with my Twisted Sister. The group played together this June at His own headlining which has Cocker scheduled to appear son-I have a 3-year -old," says Debbi Peterson. "We a charity dinner for Lava Records president Jason trek starts Sept. 3. on the "Today" show's outdoor sum - were talking baby things, and suddenly we thought, Flom. Cocker says he mer -concert series, "Late Show With `Let's get together and write.' We got Vicki on board, has no plans to fol- David Letterman," and "The Tonight who was [and is] with the Continental Drifters, and PEARLS FROM PEARL JAM: With its U.S. tour low in the footsteps Show With Jay Leno." Michael on board. She'd moved to Northern California slated to start Aug. 3, Pearl Jam has announced that it of Turner and hang "Joe Cocker is a rock legend who and was hanging out with her dogs and cats, and we will release CDs of its European shows through the up his hat after this has had hits throughout the last four starting writing." band's fan club, the Ten Club, and through retail begin- A stint. "I think I have decades and is sounding better than Those writing sessions led to the band contributing ning in late August. Each two -CD set will sell for COCKER at least another five ever on this record," says Gabriel. "Get The Girl" to "Austin Powers: The Spy Who around $10.98 through the Ten Club, according to the years left. I have not Born in Sheffield, England, Cocker Shagged Me" (which was directed by Hoffs' husband, band's Web site. In all, 25 shows are expected to be started dropping any keys yet, and I entered the music scene in 1959, even- Jay Roach), and last summer the band ended up play- made available. The set does not include the band's June can still make all the high notes." tually becoming Vance Arnold in Vance ing live together for the first time in a decade, for a 30 appearance at Copenhagen's Roskilde Festival, in Cocker, who is managed by Craig Arnold & the Avengers. He got his big George Martin tribute at the Hollywood Bowl. which nine fans were killed. The Web site also hints that Logan and Roger Davies, adds a mod- break in 1963 when the band toured In addition to starting a series of shows promoted by the U.S. shows may be made available on CD. ern -rock edge to "No Ordinary with the Rolling Stones. Producer House of Blues Concerts Sept. 13 at the San Diego World," thanks largely to producer Denny Cordell became his manager in House of Blues, the band is working on a new album.