CBS Records Announces Best Quarter Ever Quality Closes (continued from page 7) (continued from page 12) other Aerosmith albums, each of which has group's international comeback. In addi- results to large selling new releases by both sold in excess of one million units. Catalog tion, last fall's European tour by Santana get into this joint venture, and then, if things new and established artists and to con- albums by Chicago also continued to add to spurred sales that continued to mount dur- go as planned, to eventually go to 100% tinued high volume from catalog sales in all their million plus sales levels. ing the early months of 1977. ownership here." areas of music. During the quarter, 15 CBS On Epic, the Jacksons garnered two gold Top -selling CBS albums in Canada dur- Struth said both Private Stock and Bud- releases were certified by the RIAA, with records in the first quarter this year. ing recent months have included the dah had done good jobs of distributing and four earning platinum designation and 11 Engelbert Humperdinck also had two gold soundtrack to "A Star Is Born" and the promoting his product, but he noted that being placed in the gold category. records. debut solo LP by Burton Cummings on they had problems with their own lines, and Lundvall cited two "triple platinum" Chicago Makes Overseas Comeback CBS's new Portrait label. In the U.K., consequently were limited in the amount of sellers - the film soundtrack to "A Star Is The first quarter of 1977 was also the leading CBS artists include Sutherland time they could devote to Quality's product. Born" on Columbia and Boston's premiere best three-month period in the 12 -year Brothers & Quiver, Tina Charles, Sailor, Another source close to Quality added, album on Epic - as leaders in the division's history of CBS Records International, the Boston, Deniece Williams, Boz Scaggs, however, that the main problem had been continuing sales growth. "We've obviously sister of CBS Records Division in the record O.C. Smith and Barbra Streisand and Kris "product flow." The label's major acts, he found the marketing chemistry to maximize group. Last year's first quarter had Kristofferson in "A Star Is Born." said, were the Stampeders and Wednes- the super -selling album to heights far previously been the record -breaker for Asher pointed out that another reason day. beyond what was ever previously con- CRI. for CRI's outstanding success during the Struth declined to name the label with sidered a benchmark of success," Lundvall A significant factor in the division's first first quarter was its addition last year of four which he is neotiating, but noted it was said. quarter success, according to Dick Asher, new subsidiary companies. neither Buddah nor Private Stock. Other platinum achievements during the president of CRI, was the "phenomenal" period included the fourth album by worldwide sales of albums by Santana, Kansas, "Leftoverture," released on Tina Charles, Johnny Mathis, Earth, Wind & Kirshner Records and distributed by CBS; Fire, Wild Cherry, Sherbert, O.C. Smith, "Animals" by Pink Floyd on Columbia; and Deniece Williams, Lou Rawls and the Boz Scaggs' "Silk Degrees" album on Manhattans. Asher also noted that Chicago Columbia, certified platinum last year, but has made a comeback as a top -selling act now double platinum, according to the in such countries as U.K., Holland, Spain, company. In addition, Aerosmith's hit South Africa, Australia, Brazil and Mexico, single, "Walk This Way," taken from their and that Neil Diamond recordings continue three -year -old Columbia album, "Toys In to sell well all over the world. The Attic," has pushed sales of that album The recent European tour by Chicago, over 2.5 million units, topping the three said Asher, has had much to do with that EAST COASTINGS/ POINTS WEST (continued from page 37) PURE ENCHANTMENT - United Artists Records and Roadshow Records executives has now become more widely accepted, the guest list for the campaign unveiling visited Enchantment backstage after a recent performance at the Starwood in Los ceremonies included mayor Tom Bradley, actor James Caan and city attorney Burt Pines Angeles. Pictured from lett are: Sid Maurer, co -president of Roadshow; Bob Brown, direc- STUDIO ACTIVITY - Carole King has just begun recording her first LP for Capitol tor of artist relations for UA; John Smith, vice president of promotion for Blue Note backed up by the Colorado -based band Navarro, who are concurrently working on their Records; David Banks, Bobbi Green, Emanuel Johnson, Edgar Clanton and Joe Thomas of first album for the label since their recent signing ... Carly Simon has just finished Enchantment; Nick AIbarano, vice president and general manager of Roadshow Records; recording the title tune to the next James Bond movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me." The tune, and Larry Cohen, vice president of merchandising for UA. "Nobody Does It Better, "penned by Marvin Hamilish and Carole Sager, will be released as Label Release Announcements a single by Elektra while UA will release the full soundtrack ... At Wally Heider's Roger Williams is finishing up "live tracks" for an upcoming release, while down the hall The Antilles Releases 18 Lettermen are doing likewise ... Daryl Hall & John Oates flew back into L.A. last week to Atlantic Schedules LPs begin working on a new album which is composed of entirely original material ... Gino LOS ANGELES - Antilles Records, the Vannelli will spend the rest of spring working on his next album which will include seven 11 LP Releases mid -priced, esoteric line of Island Records, tracks and a 13 -minute symphony that he composed. Guest gigging on the symphony will NEW YORK - "Live At Last," a two -record recently released 18 new LPs, bringing the be the 90 -piece London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra .. . set by Bette M idler taped at her Cleveland label's catalog total to 40 albums. HOT BUTTERED SOUL WITH POPCORN - Isaac Hayes' accompanying group, Hot Music Hall concert last year, highlights Featured among the new releases are Buttered Soul Unlimited, will launch their movie careers when the four singers take on Atlantic Records' 11 -album April release. LPs by Brian Eno, John Cage, Nick Drake acting roles in the Aubrey Company's "Record City." Record producer Freddie Perren will Other Atlantic releases include Jimmy and jazz trumpeters Don Cherry and score the movie ... "The Fabulous Bette Midler Show," winner of the first National Cable Webb's "El Mirage" and Don Pullen's Mongezi Feza. TV award for Best Original Programming, has been acquired by Theta Cable and the 21/4 "Tomorrow's Promises," both label debut Also included are albums by June Tabor, hour show will air in L.A. in June ... David Soul is ready to star in his first prime time LPs. Scheduled from Cotillion Records are Tom Newman, Martin Carthy & Dave Swar- network special, "David Soul and Friends," which will appear on ABC August 18 ... Word Luther's "This Close" and Lou Donaldson's brick, Gary Shearston, The City Waites, from Capitol is that Anne Murray's recent Canadian special outdrew "Six Million Dollar "Color As A Way Of Life." Gay & Terry Woods, Albion Country Band, Man" and "Sonny and Cher, "and that negotiations are now under way for the special to be Upcoming releases on labels distributed Allen Fontenot & The Country Cajuns, shown in these parts .. . by Atlantic are: LeBlanc and Carr's "Mid- Detroit Jr., Earl Hooker and two records ON TOUR - Coinciding with her first release for Portrait, Joan Baez begins her first solo night Light" and "Babyface Strikes Back" feturing top stars of West Africa. tour in two years with an April 28 date at Dartmouth College, continuing through twenty by Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps northeastern cities and culminating with a May 26 date at New York's Palladium ... Ray on Big Tree Records; Dave Edmund's "Get 10cc LP Release Due has extended Manzarek's Nite City their U.S. tour with some midwestern and southern city It" and "Dectective" by the group of the CHICAGO - lOcc's new LP "Deceptive into a dates and will fly L.A. for three-nite stand at The Whisky May 6-8 ... Those Marshall same name on Swan Song Records; and Bends" will be released April 25 by Tucker Band dates that were cancelled have now been rescheduled for May 11 & 12 at the "On the Road" by George Carlin on Little Phonogram, Inc./Mercury Records. The Santa Monica Civic. Tickets that have already been procured for the April 18 & 19 dates David Records. album will contain the group's single "The redeemed 11 & may be for the May 12 shows, respectively... Janus' band Charlie has just Things We Do For Love," which recently recently finished a European tour with Fleetwood Mac and hopes to be touring the U.S. this New Disco Singles Out achieved gold status. summer ... Elton John will step out of the production booth at the record studio to do a On 20th Century Records week of solo concerts at London's Rainbow Theatre, May 2-7, with one show as a charity UA Soundtrack Album concert for the Queen's Silver Jubilee Appeal... Country artist Don Williams broke the all- LOS ANGELES - Two new 12 -inch disco time attendance record for an indoor music event in the United Kingdom when he ap- singles, "I Just Wanna Do My Thing" by Features Liza Minnelli Edwin peared at the Empire Pool auditorium in the London suburb of Wembley. The occasion Starr and "Dance All Night" by For- LOS ANGELES United Artists will was mula V, have released - the 9th annual Festival of Country Music where Williams was also presented his first been by 20th Cen- release the soundtrack from the new mo- gold record for "Visions" tury Records. tion picture "New York, New York" in May. THE LOCAL BEAT They haven't floor yet, - put straw on the but L.A.'s Roxy Theatre The LP will feature four Kander and Ebb played host to a country acts this week. to Third ELO Single Due couple of past Prior Dolly Parton's weekend compositions sung by Liza Minnelli, who engagement, local radio personality Jimmy Rabbitt and his band Renegade filled the From Latest UA/Jet LP stars in the film. house for two shows without record company support, though we understand that Rabbitt is still legally under contract to Capitol... Meanwhile, at the Troubadour, the jazz-rock fu- LOS ANGELES -A third single is set for Gala Contracts Lopez sion group Jasmine went from Monday hoot to Friday loot all in one dizzying week. The release from Electric Light Orchestra's NEW YORK Trini Lopez has been signed young band (all but one under 21) was only one of many at the traditional hoot night but latest LP, "A New World Record," on UA/ - new by Gala Records. His first LP for the label headlined a sold -out club on Friday, playing a tight show for onlya second performance .. . Jet Records. The single, "Telephone will be recorded within the next few months. At the Westwood Playhouse, Steven Elster made his formal debut as a solo classical Line," is being released as the label reports guitarist, playing completely unamplified and giving homage to works by Tarrega, Sor, sales of the LP are nearing the 4 million Allman LP Leads May Villa-Lobos, Bach and Rodrigo, among others ... Millennium Records and Casablanca mark. Releases At Capricorn Record and Film Works hosted a cocktail-buffet to debut Millennium's first artist, Bruce New Steve Miller Due Foster, and his new LP, "After the Show." Other entertainment included some humorous MACON, GA. - The Gregg Allman Band's media outtakes put together by Jan Bridge ... Raised eyebrows was a standard response LOS ANGELES - The Steve Miller Band's "Playin' Up A Storm" leads the list of May when it was revealed that Kim Fowley was producing Helen Reddy, but he was recently new LP "Book of Dreams" will be released LP releases from Capricorn Records. seen at Roy's Restaurant having dinner with Andy Williams who, it is rumored, is conferr- by Capitol Records May 6. A single from the Other releases from the label will include ing with Fowley about an as yet undisclosed project .. . album, "Jet Airliner," has already been "Left Coast Live" by Wet Willie and "Under chuck comstock released to radio stations The Glass" from Easy Street.

38 Cash Box/April 30, 1977 www.americanradiohistory.com