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aient Last Record Failed To Match Success Of First Two Hopes New Will Break Securing album radio airplay has cord with , who pro- BY STEVE GETT never been a problem for the Fixx, duced the Fixx's first three NEW YORK The Fixx is deter- says DeJoy, but he notes that the and is best known for his work with mined to make up lost ground with band "lost the CHR base" with its . its new MCA album, "Walkabout." last álbum, "Phantoms." "We felt we still had more to gain The British quintet's U.S. manager, In addition to hiring indies, DeJoy from working with Rupert," says Ed DeJoy, says, "This is a very im- arranged for the Fixx to go on a na- Curnin. "It's almost been like a portant album for the band." Conse- tional promotion tour to generate learning process. Because he knows quently, he says, he is taking every radio and press support before so much, it's taken us four albums step possible to ensure its success. "Walkabout" hit record stores last to get it all out of him. At the end of DeJoy hired key top 40 indepen- week. every album, we've wondered dent record promoters to get the al- The video for "Secret Separa- whether there was any mileage left, bum's first single, "Secret Separa- tion," shot in by noted direc- but our relationship with Rupert tion," off to "a quick start" (Bill- tor Brian Grant, has been in power has continued to develop." Frankie Goes To Norby. Frankie Beverly, second left, of Frankie Beverly & board, May 24), which has no doubt rotation on MTV. Cumin says the group was disap- Maze, meets with Norby Walters Associates vice president Jerry Ade, second helped the song climb to No. 50 on As for live performances, DeJoy pointed that its last studio output, right, York ink with the Also pictured are group in New to a contract agency. the Hot 100 Singles chart. It says, "It's difficult for the band to "Phantoms," failed to match the manager Clarence Jones, left, and group attorney Herman Cowan Jr. debuted at No. 77 three weeks ago. do their own tour until the album's chart impact of the debut album, firmly entrenched." "," and the 1983 fol- Recognizing the importance of lowup, "." concert exposure, though, the deter- "Looking back, I think 'Phan- mined manager has landed the Fixx toms' was a dark, reflective album Nall Heads In A Different Direction; a five -week stint as special guests for us," says Cumin, adding that on the upcoming Moody Blues tour, the absence of a hit single had a which starts June 19 in . dampening effect on sales. Cliff & Costello Cut Soundtrack Duet The Fixx spent more time in the The singer says the band is far by Steve Gett sponsorship deal with the Genesis "Top Gun" soundtrack album. studio recording "Walkabout" than more optimistic about the new al- camp, Michelob is using the Phil The group has also recorded a it had for any other album. "We cut bum's potential. "We worked on NEW YORK "It's definitely a Collins hit, "In The Air Tonight," new studio album in London, with the album in about 10 weeks," says songwriting until we were satisfied step in a different direction, but re- for its beer commercials ... "Win- Tony Platt producing. Titled "The lead singer Cy Cumin. "But we'd that we had come up with our best tains elements of the things people ning Ugly" is a likely contender for Doctor," it is coming out in August spent a lot of time writing." material," says Cumin. "We knew know me for," says Daryl Hall of the next Rolling Stones single- on Epic. The band -which also features we had a strong first single with his newly completed second solo Francois Kevorkian has reported- Lead singer Robin Zander is set drummer Adam Woods, guitarist ',' and, on the effort. The album will be released ly remixed the tune ... Def Lep- to make his acting debut in the Jamie West -Oram, bassist Dan K. whole, I think 'Walkabout' says by RCA next month and has the pard returns to the stage Aug. 16 movie "Callbacks," which also Brown, and keyboard player Rupert more about where we're at." working title "Three Hearts In The at Britain's Castle Donnington fes- stars former Go-Go Jane Wiedlin. Greenall-once again elected to re- Happy Ending Machine." tival. The group has recruited Jeff Shooting starts June 20. Hall co-produced the album -re- Rich as a second drummer to help corded in London and Paris, and skinbasher Rick Allen, who lost an SHORT TAKES II: Debbie Harry mixed in New York -with the Eu- is recording her next Geffen re- Jazz Super-Tour Motivated rythmics' Dave Stewart and bass- lease at Bearsville studios, N.Y. - ist Tom "T- Bone" Wolk. Seth Justman of the J. Geils Band The first single will be "Dream ON THE BEAT is producing ... Capitol a &r chief Economic Necessity Time "; other cuts include "Foolish Don Grierson takes label artist By Pride" and "I Wasn't Born Yester- Artist news, touring, Eric Martin to London this week ness sense behind the project is un- BY SUTHERLAND day." Hall plans to perform solo signings, venues ... for to meet with several top -name pro- SAM derscored by the withering festival concerts, "probably at the end of those who need to know ducers. Grierson is convinced that One of this sum- schedule. the year -I'm going to let the al- Martin will record a smash with mer's most promising jazz /fusion "American corporations have al- bum circulate for a while." the right man at the knobs ... A touring packages offers an ironic most totally withdrawn their sup- Of his recent BMI award, which arm in an auto accident last year new Talking Heads album is ready comment on the bleak outlook for port of jazz in this country," Rubin- recognized "Everytime You Go ... Hard to believe, but Ozzy Os- for release -David Byrne will live jazz funding in the present U.S. son claims, adding that the only ma- Away" as the most performed bourne plays an anti -rock crusader start making sense on the road in concert marketplace, according to jor sponsors of live jazz in the U.S. song of 1985 (Billboard, May 24), in the Halloween movie, "Trick Or September ... The one of the people involved in putting now are Playboy and JVC-in con- Hall says, "I was a bit surprised, Treat." will be playing U.S. dates in the it together. trast to past years, when a number but the first time I heard Paul fall ... Island has signed the Veteran personal manager David of corporately funded festivals Young's version, I thought it was LISTEN UP: Peter Gabriel's new Lounge Lizards, whose main man Rubinson says the decision to pack- were still in place. a hit. Geffen set, "So," has much more John Lurie stars with Tom Waits age Chick Corea, Al DiMeola, and Record company tour support has "It was always one of my favor- to offer than the "Sledgehammer" in the upcoming movie "Down By Rubinson client Wayne Shorter for long been unavailable for jazz, he ite compositions, but was kind of single- definitely check out the Law" ... Culture Club kicks off a a 15 -city national tour was influ- says, but he doesn't blame the la- an unknown on the backside of the mesmerizing Kate Bush duet, North American tour Aug. 19 in enced by the decline in major Ameri- bels: "I'm blaming corporate Ameri- 'Voices' album. I was glad it was fi- "Don't Give Up." Portland, Me., with the first leg of can jazz festivals. ca. White corporate America will nally brought to light, for no other Minneapolis -based Limited dates running through the second Rubinson acknowledges the cre- subsidize 60- year -old white middle - reason than that I could sing it and Warranty's Atco debut album week of September ... Producer ative strength of the bill, prompted class business people going to hear people would recognize it." should not be overlooked. "Victory John "Jellybean" Benitez and by a chance meeting between Corea the music of dead European com- Line," the first single, has not Whitney recorded "Love and Shorter while both were tour- posers. But [the corporations] won't SHORT TAKES I: Veteran reg- caught on quickly at radio; the Will Save The Day " -a track for ing in . But he says the busi- (Continued on next page) gae artist Jimmy Cliff stars with sleeper cut could be "Hit You the singer's next Arista release - From which packs a at a recent Manhattan studio ses- Peter O'Toole and Robin Wil- Behind," in Quality liams in the July movie "Club Par- Tears For Fears / "Sussudio" mod- sion. They first worked together Unsurpassed adise." Cliff also recorded the Co- ern pop punch. on the 12 -inch version of "How To Will I Know" The New York BARRY MANILOW lumbia soundtrack album, which "Be Good Yourself" has ... 28c Fresh Fest 1986 Mardi Gras GLOSSY includes a duet with Elvis Costel- peaked on the Hot 100 Singles City EACH IN lo, "Seven Day Weekend." Album chart, but Journey's "Raised On Tour started May 29 in Saginaw, ships at the end of this month ... Radio" boasts a glut of potential Mich. Full Force, UTFO, Kurtis Congratulations 1000 LOTS After meeting Don Johnson at a hits. Look for tracks like "Girl Blow, the Fat Boys, the Jets, the u on your PHOTOS Hollywood party, Whoopi Gold- Can't Help It," and "Positive Force MDs, and six other acts are 100 POSTCARDS j25 52 berg reportedly went to Miami and Touch" to give the Bay Area rock- featured in the -city tour. .UO ts,;o $34.95 recorded a rap for the sockless ers their biggest -selling album. 4Oth Birthday wonder's upcoming Epic debut ... END QUOTE: Did Robert Palm - $108 WITH MUCH LOVE PkINI per 100 After playing the Amnesty Inter- CHEAP TRICK has always er's tenure with the Power Station UIUN national concerts, Lou Reed will played great rock'n'roll, but mega- play a major role in his sudden solo AND AFFECTION embark on a nationwide tour in chart success has eluded the band success? Palmer doesn't think so. July. New Jersey -based promoter in recent years. Zany guitarist "Listen, I gave the Power Station John Scher is coordinating the Rick Nielsen and his pals may well that sound," he told a U.K. music k Photographers- dates for Reed's manager Eric score a hit with "Mighty Wings," weekly. "They took it from me, not LACt., t CA_ 165 WIST tl.A STRUT, N T 10p3i r I Kronfeld As of its tour the second single release from the the other way round." , ONTARIO ... part (212) 382-0233

BILLBOARD JUNE 14. 1986 29 www.americanradiohistory.com