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MUSIC WEEK NOVEMBER 3, 1979 D D u D) D C n c BILL MARTIN is an internationally known songwriter with his partner Phil Coulter, is as Scottish as a Saturday night in Glasgow, and is a well- established independent music publisher with offices, overlooking the Thames, commanding what must be one of the best views in publishing anywhere. Martin, more a publisher these days then anything else, has some positive views on what the word should mean and stand for, as he reveals in this interview. "A PUBLISHER'S personal taste "You can't say that a song, his own account. Cliff Richard's is a luxury he cannot afford," because it's not new wave next single Hot Shot and seven declared Bill Martin. "If 1 indulged or whatever the trend of the tracks on his album, a German hit my own personal taste, I'd handle moment is, it won't be successful. with Clout on Under Fire and an the Duke Ellington catalogue, Stig Anderson, Abba's publisher American hit by Ian Lloyd with spend every night at Ronnie Scott's and manager, isn't involved in new Goosebumps, all of them written — and probably be skint in a wave, either. Just think how EMI with Terry Britten. It's ironic in a year." would be now if they had a man way that all this is happening for Martin, on the mature side of like Anderson working for them." him now after trying for so long 30, prides himself on moving with Martin believes that too much and in a year described as the the times. He heartily detests most money has been paid out in worst in the industry's history." of what is described as new wave advances too soon for too little The Martin-Coulter organisation music, but listens to it nonetheless, over recent years by both publishers also publishes Sky, Billy Connolly, and hears merit and promise in and record companies. Van Morrison outside the US, Ian some of it. "I'm not pontificating, being Nice, material from the "As far as the majority of new holier than thou or claiming I'm Bridgehouse operation, the wave acts arc concerned, I entirely blameless on this score," American East Memphis catalogue wouldn't sign them on the dole — he added with a grin. "We've all and material by Canada's THP leave alone as artists or got skeletons in the cupboard. Orchestra. Martin is particularly songwriters. Bui the Stranglers are There was a feeling that, if you elated to have secured Sky's great, and Bob Geldof of the weren't on the starting line of the publishing against a lot of heavy Boomtown Rats is potentially one money stakes, then you weren't in competition. of the greatest songwriters around the race at all. at the moment." "What I call the Midem Martin is closely linked with the syndrome is also affecting the Bill Martin Bridgehousc, Canning Town, an publishing industry to a large old-style East End boozer run by extent. A guy gives you a song for talks to MW Terry Murphy and a showcase for a weekend, and, if you get a cover BILL MARTIN:positive views. much street-level talent, not least on it, lets you have it for a whole publishing editor of which are the Mods. He values month." Nigel Hunter about what they're promoting. He doesn't just deliver — he's the connection, and sees the venue Martin thinks that some people Promotion and plugging became knowledgeable about the product as a barometer and early breeding are far too acquisitive when it bad words some time ago, and and its background. ground for future trends and comes to copyrights on singles and The organisation is a tightly run that's when things started to go "In the 80s the surviving movements in pop music, be it albums, wanting the whole lot, and ship, comprising Martin, Richard wrong. Paddy Fleming of CBS is publishers will be those with good punk, mod or whatever. hinting that those some people are Gillinson, Bernard Brown and one of the best promo men in the ears and creative people promoting Martin has paid his dues and often lawyers and accountants. promotion man Alan Crossman. business, and so is Howard Marks, for them able to convey earned his place among the SODS "Derek Green of A&M has a There is also some secretarial the independent promotion man. constructive thoughts." (Society of Distinguished publisher's brain running a record talent, and someone whom Martin Songwriters), with a siring of hit company, and that's why A&M is believes is the only old Etonian 'U songs penned with his Irish partner successful. He builds the company office boy in the business. He's $ Phil Coulter. The best-known and and its artists like Elkie Brooks on there to learn as well as be office biggest moneyspinner is Eurovision good songs and not on in-house boy, and Martin is one of the winner Puppet On A String, and he monopoly publishing deals. publishing fraternity concerned is impervious to the general "There's no way 1 would agree about ensuring there will be qualified and accomplished staff for the future. "Administration matters like "As far as the majority of new wave royalties must be computerised for the 80s, but you can never do acts are concerned, 8 wouldn't sign without the human touch," said Martin. "I'm lucky enough to have them on the dole—leave alone Bernard Brown, who's a human computer and enables me to be a as artists or songwriters" creative publisher as opposed to an administrative one. But how many publishers are training youngsters now to handle copyright matters in altitude of derision prevalent where to giving a piece of a song of ours the 80s?" the Eurovision Song Contest and to an artist who was willing to Martin has great admiration for all its works are concerned. record it, cither. I know some several of his contemporaries on "If you mention James Bond to people think that 10 per cent of the music industry scene. He Sean Connery. he won't talk to something is belter than 100 per reckons Mickic Most has got you, and Bill Simpson is the same cent of nothing, but 1 can see no platinum ears and Dick Leahy about Dr. Finlay. I don't care sense or value in giving away, possesses golden ones, "They both about being identified — as I still say, 50 per cent of a song for the have the ability to go across the am — only as the co-writer of sake of getting it covered. If they board, picking the hits from Puppet On A String and all the think it's worth recording, they Heatwave and Racey to Dana and scorn about Eurovision doesn't should do just that, I'm sure Hot Chocolate." worry me at all. George Elrick didn't ask for 50 per Martin asserts that talent should "Everybody laughed when a cent of Lena Martell's hit before be found and encouraged, wherever Swedish group sang Waterloo in she recorded it. He's only it might be and no matter what its the contest with their conductor concerned with her being No.l in age. He doesn't subscribe to the dressed as Napoleon. That group, the chart," youth-only cult that has been Abba, went on to become the Martin views the recent evident in some sectors of the biggest international success since proliferation of publishers and music industry over recent years. the Beatles with some great hit record companies with some "We must realise that it's an songs. doubts, wondering whether this "Modern publishing is all about insult to inflict on the radio and mA mushroom growth is likely to have TV stations and the press a cocky BILL Y CONNOLL Y moving with the limes, getting any lasting future or benefit. His 16 or 17-year-old in tatty jeans to involved, silling everything for the publishing activities arc occupying best and knowing what's going on all his time now, while Phil Coulter do the plugging. You're doing the in the market in all areas." Martin artist, the writers and the label a "1 always Smew i wasp't a great stated, "There's no future in is engaged in composing music for disservice that way, and you're getting locked into one area a variety of projects. robbing the Post Office of the only, Lena Martell's song isn't "I always knew I wasn't a great proceeds of what would be better songwriter. S wanted to become involved exactly new wave, but you will hear songwriter," Martin confided. "I sent by mail. it sung in pubs as long as I'rn wanted to become involved with "Pluggcrs or promotion people, with those who are in the capacity around on this earth and probably those who arc in the capacity of a whatever they're called, must be publisher. B.A. Robertson is an personable and able to convey of a puWSsher." a long time after. example, with Bang Bang a hit on something interesting and useful 12 PUBLISHING SUPPLEMENT .

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