INSIDE Singleschart,6-7;Album chart,17; New Singles,18; New Albums, 13; Airplay guide, 14-15; Independent Labels, 5; Retailing, 12. British Talent on Top Of The World, 8-9. p January 31, 1983 VOLUME FIVE Number 41 75p WEA uses free British acts dominate US tape to push two `hit' 45s labels' Spring schedules WEA HAS introduced a marketing innovation almost unnoticed amid the AFTERA year of major gains for UKflag flying year for the British (see(Atlantic), Gary Moore (Mirage), Light acts in America the US companies havefeature p8 and Mullings p.3). furore of complaints against some of Of The World, Eddie Jobson of Roxyits competitors. lined up a Spring programme of new New music, or techno-pop, domin-Music (Capitol), Fast Way, featuring acts, heavily dominated by the British.ates with such acts as Simple Minds The company is, for a limited edi- Eddie Clark, (Columbia), The Nolanstion, giving away four -track cassettes The beginning of theyearisa(A&M), Heaven 17 (Arista), Malcolm(Epic), Eddy Grant (Portrait), Jakki traditional time for US labels to unveil with two of its chart singles and is McLaren, Blancmange, and Paul HaigWhitren & Tom Cartwright (Elektra),happy to write off the manufacturing the new talent. After the success in '82(all Island), Thomas Dolby (Capitol),Kelly Groucutt of ELO (Riva), Robert by UK acts, and no doubt mindful of the loss. Naked Eyes (EMI America), The Pas-Ellis Orrall (RCA), Rodway (Millen- "I think we've found a novel form of high cost of signing American acts, thesions(Polygram),Tears ForFearsnium). labels have decided that this year will see promotion which not only accelerates (Mercury), The Mood, The Eurythmics A further addition to the ranks couldsales but directs the attention of the another impressive introduction of Brit-(both RCA), Girls Can't Help It and Tinbe Madness. There are strong reports ish talent. consumer to the catalogue. It is a low Tin (Sire), receiving special companythat Britain's most consistent pop groupcost marketing move and it gives the Australian and Canadian acts alsobacking. of the last four years is about to sign aconsumer something unique and spe- feature heavily in the plans of the labels In addition there are campaigns formajor US deal with a notable label. but signs are undoubtedly of another cial," said marketing director Stuart Q -Feel (Arista). Tony Banks of Genesis The above acts arejustthefirstTill. quarter's contenders and therewill First releaseis'1991' by Prince undoubtedly be further deals and USwhich Till explains is giving his cult Fight to save TV Records campaigns for home produced acts tofollowing a special gift and opening up add to those who made it in '82. the act's catalogue to new buyers. after Branson pulls out The second single is Echo & The MANAGING DIRECTOR ColinChristmas, the company allocated a net Bunnymen's 'TheCutter'. "We've Ashby was last week fighting to keep hisTV spend of over £1 million to promote never had atop10hit with the four -month old company TV Records inalbums by such artists as Chicago, Elton Bunnymen and we think thatthis business after his partner, Virgin Re-John, David Essex and Gary Numan, promotion can achieve that and break cordschiefRichardBranson,hadbut in the end was forced to reduce the the act as a volume seller," added Till. abruptly withdrawn financial support. level of its expenditure in the light of a He thinks of the method as being an generally sluggish market. alternative to picture discs and 12 -inch At presstime, Ashby was hopeful that Last week, Ashby told RB that singles containing extra tracks. Tape effortstosecure new finance from was deliberately chosen to interest institutional sources in the City wouldRichard Branson had returned from a visit to Australia and had informed his record buyers in pre-recorded tapes. be successful, enabling him and partner "We are conscious of the problems Nigel Mason to become exclusive own-partners that he would not be extendingDIONNE WARWICKmakes a sur- ers of the label. his financial support. "It is upsettingprise appearance on stage at the Albertcreated by selective offers and want to that things happened so swiftly," saidHall to present French pianist Richardmake it clear that this promotion is In the meantime, TV Records hasAshby. "I felt that we had performedClayderman with a brace of platinumlimited only in quantity. The tapes are suspended its release plans for threewell enough, considering the state of thealbums to mark the twin achievementavailable across the board," said Till. LPs, one of which Megatracks had hitsmarket, for him to continue his supportof his Tellydisc and Decca albums WEA is however thought to have by Virgin acts Phil Collins and Culturefor the two years of the contract." which have both sold in excess ofCreated industry chart problems with Club among its scheduled titles. At Midem, Branson commented:300,000 copies. Clayderman, who hadits special promotion with chart shops Ashby left K-tel along with a&r man"We are not prepared to put any moreappeared with the American singer inwhich involved giving away record NigelMasonandlaunchedTVmoney into TV Records. Colin Ashbythe Live From Her Majesty's TV showboxes - worth around £4.75 - and Records in September. Virgin held a 50and Nigel Mason are good operators butthe day before, returned the compli-sweat -shirts with singles by Crystal percent stake and also handled pressingthey did not have the luck all TV labelsment by presenting her with a platinumGayle and Linda Ronstadt respective- and distribution arrangements throughneed. It may be that there are too manyalbum for her best-selling Heartbreakerly. Neither record entered the Gallup its deal with CBS. In the run-up toTV merchandised record companies." LP. Top 100. 3immy Turseyis (lac new album fRevenge isnot theTassworcrodei) order _NOW from STAGE ONE telesales 0428-4001 Code'Ras nEws MIDEM bow for Collins -Watermanlabel CANNES - THE plummeting value ofBanquet worldwide licensing rights, butsecured oulets in six territories plusclassical section.It was poorly sup- Sterling is providing a much -neededboth were anticipated imminently. publishing for Australia by the middleported by UK labels, and business did shot -in -the -arm for British participants Spearheaded by leading distributorsof the week. Bronze Records generalnot appear to be brisk, something which at Midem this year. Spartan, Pinnacle and IDS, the Englishmanager Robert Lemon was able toseemed to surprise the participating Foreign companies are having to payindie labels sector was very much inannounce finalisation of a label deal forcompanies. less to secure licence deals for theirevidence and facing a heavy demandAmerica with Mercury. A music industry lawyers' seminar territories and are more willing to take afrom American and European importers One of the main drumbeating occa-unveiled a possible international stan- risk in new product. But despite thewanting finished product. Smaller com-sions of the event was MCA's party fordard sub -publishing contract of which current success of British acts in thepanies were finding longterm licensingthe launch of the Loose Ends label,more may be heard in due course. States, American delegates, well out-deals elusive. But particularly pleasedformed by Peter Collins and Peter The Midem organisation spent almost numbered by the British contingent, arewith overseas interest was Graduate'sWaterman the two men behind the£1 million on musical events staged in keeping a lower profile than in recentDave Virr, whose 'Heartache Avenue'success of Musical Youth. the palatial 2,400 -seater Grand Quditor- year. The international heads of a&r ofhit by the Maisonettes currently tops A magnetic focal point of the exhibi-ium, most of which were filmed and the US majors are in Cannes but appearRB's Indie Labels chart. "This is thetion was the industry preview of therecorded for future release. more disposed to do business from hotelfirst time I have taken a stand here andPhilips -Sony Compact Disc. A striking Total participation was claimed to be suites rather than inthe centre ofI've been rushed off my feet. There havestand and a heavy media campaignslightly up on last year with almost 6000 activity at the new Palais des Festivals.been firm offers for the Ready Steady Goensured good publicity and industrydelegates registered from 57 countries. As RB went to press, new deals hadlabel from every major territory," hereaction was optimistic about its chancesHowever, the giant central area was not not yet been finalised for the attractivereported. Quick to clinch deals wasin the marketplace. The other majorentirely occupied and some blank stand Virgin Music catalogue or for BeggarsTowerbell's Bob England who hadinnovation was the introduction of asites were evident in the side sections. Gerry Marsden's K-tel strengthens regional new album press andradio contacts marks 20 years WITH FORMER financial controllerlocal newspaper reviewers. "We are GERRY AND The Pacemakers follow Adrian Mould now installed as generalaiming at creating more awareness re- the Beatles and Cilla Black to become manager, K-tel is taking a fresh look atgionally for our releases and also trying, third of the Merseyside legendsto its sales promotion activities. to make the most of our promotional celebrate 20 years as a recording act this With all TV merchandising com-opportunities with activity which is month, an anniversary which will be panies having had less than satisfactorysupplementary to our TV advertising," celebrated by the release of a specially sales pre -Christmas and doubts existingcommented Mould. recorded album. over the impact of smallscreen advertis- An immediate sign of K-tel's prom- In fact,release has been brought ing, K-tel is putting greater emphasis onotional thrust away from TV is a concert forward by Deb Records following a regional media activity. to be held at London's Barbican Centre guest spot featuring Gerry Marsden on Mike Hitches,salesdirector, hason February 24.