MUSIC WEEK, JULY 21, 1979

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Dateline: TOKYO: RVC-RCA Is launching a performed by foreign musicians as special campaign prior to (he July 24 Tokyo there is usually little chance for arrival of leading country pop singer further association with anyone Dolly Parton, making her first From ELISE KRENTZEL beyond the studio sessions (hey Japanese visit. participate in on a one-shot basis. Dolly, of course, is a striking Higuchi's albums are distributed figure, but until recently the Dolly bursts through Wamer-Ploneer in Japan, Japanese press and public alike were and will be released in other not particularly impressed by such countries in the future. well-endowed ladies, usually into Japan DOORKNOB PUBLISHING has preferring "cute and Innocent" concluded a sub-publishing deal types such as Olivia Newton-John And recently Generation X, with the German firm Tropical and Linda Ronstadt. released here by Toshiba-EMl, Music for the copyrights of RVC began a disco dance contest played three concerts in Tokyo's composer Sebastiao Tapajos, a in March covering Sapporo, Toyoko Theatre to SRO capacity. It Brazilian classical guitarist due to Hokkaido, Sendal, Nagoya and the was the band's first visit to Japan, tour Japan later this year. Kanto and Tokai areas, including and vindication for the theories of Doorknob has also recently signed (he Tokyo and Osaka regions. manager Stewart Joseph and a catalogue deal with the UK Tagged Baby, I'm Burning, the Chrysalis Records international Andrew Heath Music for the contest was linked with Dolly's director Des Brown. compositions of all Beggar's single release of (be same name. "We were keen right from the Banquet recording artists. Not all Prizes In various areas were Victor start to play Japan," Joseph told the Beggar's Banquet disc repertoire stereo systems, Victor radio cassette Music Week. "This is not a has been released in Japan, but on recorders and pairs of headphones. secondary market in our eyes. It's a July 25 WEA International will issue RVC has also produced posters primary one. The music industry the Tubeway Army's Are Friends for the campaign, some imported people here seem to take more Electric, with the group's Replicas Effll from the US and some made-in- chances on unknown acts." album scheduled for September 25 SYDNEY: While in for concert dates, Andy Stewart (right) presented Japan glossies, and a limited edition Generation X did interviews with release. Barry O'Dowd with a gold record for over 100,000 sales of O'Dowd's 20 of 300 pink vinyl 12-inch discs of leading Japanese radio stations and UK group the Cuddly Toys has Traditional Scottish Favourites album released by K-tel. Emerald Records has Baby I'm Burning for use in radio rock and pop magazines, and signed an initial management-liaison the UK rights to O'Dowd product through a contract with Image Records of promotion and disco contest prizes. Toshiba-EMI supported the band agreement with Doorknob Agency Australia. Dolly is touring Japan as the with four-colour posters, imported president Yuti Watanabe, who will climax to her first down-under and badges from England and other handle all activities for breaking the Far East (our which has taken in promotional measures. group in the Japanese market in a Edited by NIGEL HUNTER Australia, and Hong JAPANESE MD-arranger and series of long-term projects. As well Kong before her Japanese dates. composer Yasuo Higuchi, noted for as its music, the band has an BRITISH NEW Wave has been his work in films and the theatre, additional appeal in (he local market registering strongly in Japan since gave his first major concert earlier because its drummer is Japanese. Musexpo breaks all records the 1978 visits of Graham Parker this month at the Tokyo Culture Pacific Music has concluded a and the Rumour and Elvis Costello Centre with a distinguished array of catalogue deal for the Bug Music NEW YORK: Foreign participation in (his year's Musexpo event at Miami and (bis year's tours by Tom international musicians. The New Group, Including writers such as Beach is exceeding all previous records in the history of the occasion. Robinson and the Stranglers. York Phiiharmonia Virtuosi John Hiatt, Moon Martin, Del New registrations include Carrere, Sonodisc, Trema and Aquarius of Interest has been characterised by Chamber Orchestra performed his Shannon, Brian Hyland and Iggy France, Baby Records and Rifi of Italy, and Chappell of Sweden and France. sell-out concerts for hitherto piece A Thousand Calabashes, and Pop. All of last year's 45 UK participants have reconfirmed, plus new unknown artists, and album sales Higuchi's Koma violin concerto was EPIC/SONY is considering registrations from Acrobat, Red Bus, Rediffusion, Satril, Valentine Music, exceeding 10,000 on a first- given by Oscar Ravina. releasing a specially packaged set of Fuse Music, Chipping Norton Studios and Mitch Murray. basis, plus liberal radio and TV It is rare for Japanese musicians seven singles by the Clash if and An additional Musexpo representative has been appointed for the UK on a exposure. and composers to have their works when the band (ours Japan. full-time basis. He is John Mandakides, who can be reached on 01-404 4567. Colin Hadley continues as UK co-ordinator for Musexpo. D D U D n

Neon heads for the lights has formed Neon Music, a new publishing company, with Brian Oliver, who will be its managing director. Neon is Welch's first direct involvement in the music publishing business in his 20 years as a member of and a successful songwriter and record producer. Oliver formerly ran April Music before becoming deputy managing wow director of State Music. He left that post to set up Infinity Music's international base in , a project that was abruptly terminated when Infinity Music chief Lou Good Air Play on Ragusa left the organisation in New :.k. York. Neon Music is wholly owned by Welch and Oliver, and will be independently run without any Sabre Jets RadioSand blu 2 administrative affiliations with major publishing houses. Neon will also represent Bruce Welch Music ri •Si when the latter's current agreement with Heath Levy Music expires in y| September. This company contains Welch's hits written for Cliff 1-. IVSike Slot and Bumper BLU 3 Richard and others, and Neon will A HANDSHAKE clinches (he Neon Music publishing partnership between be seeking new overseas Bruce Welch (right) and Brian Oliver. representation for its catalogue with effect from September as well as for Neon Music will represent the Welch and his fellow Shadows and Neon. Gum Music catalogue, which Olivia Newton-John. Neon Is based "Having learned my trade as was previously handled by Carlin at 64 Stirling Court, Marshall Street, firstly a songwriter, then as a and which includes hits written by London W.l (01-434 1839). Distributed by performer and finally as a record producer, I feel the launching of Spartan tel: 01-903 4753/6 Neon Music is a logical step to take," Welch told Music Week. Dick James' deaS "We picked the name Neon because we want the company's name to be FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS initiated at Midem, Dick James up in lights, and the area of Music has set a deal with Koobla Publishing to sub-publish Management repertoire we'll be concentrating on throughout the world excluding the USA all material written by is hits." singer-songwriter Andy Mendeison, contracted to Arista Records Blue Port tel: 0632 816855. "Neon basically will build up its with an album and single released in the States. own writers," added Oliver. "In the Dick James Music US general embryo Dear Anyone show written present uncertain stale of the manager Arthur Braun has placed a by Stephens and Don Black, for her market, record companies are Roger Greenaway-Geoff Stephens second Ariola single produced by hungrier than ever for hits, and song It's Like We Never Said Mike Bad. Black and Andrew Lloyd creative publishers with their ears to Goodbye for Inclusion In Crystal Webber have collaborated on the the ground and good quality songs Gayle's first album for CBS. August 3 CBS single release by to sell should be able to capitalise on Linda Lewis has picked Sleeping Barbara Dickson called Come Back this need within the marketplace." Like A Baby Now, a song from the With The Same Look In Your Eyes. PAGE 10