DEDICATED TO THE NEEDS OF THE MUSIC/RECORD INDUSTRY DECEMBER 7, 1974 Oft Who7'he Werdo Kiki Dee/Neil Sedaka Rocket Records Artists Kiki Dee And Neil Sedaka Are Proving True To The Name Of The MCA -Distributed Logo As Their Latest Singles And Albums Zoom Up The Charts. See Story On Page 20. DAWN, "LOOK IN MY EYES PRETTY WOMAN" ERIC BURDON BAND, "THE REAL ME" (prod. by JONI MITCHELL, "MILES OF AISLES." OrligNi (prod.by Hank Medress & Dave Jerry Goldstein/Far Out Prod.) (Far A live two -record set from a singer/ e ri;E ;Z:Pin Appell) (ABC -Dunhill,BMI).In the Out, ASCAP). Absent from the scene songwriter whose contemporary music /45036[5 Latin -lilting tradition of their earlier these last four years since leaving contributions have remained unparal- top 10 hits, the CBS -TV "Prime Time" War to its own Afro -rock devices, the leled. Always vibrant and vital,the Animals founder plunges back into set sparkles with favorites as well as tune for their "Steppin' Out" follow- action. Eric erects a new rock house soon -to -be standards. Songs like "Rainy up. Staring at an eye-opening giant on which the sun of new success Night House,""Carey," "A Case of head-on, they're lookin' great! Bell shallriseforthat familiargritty You" and "All I Want" assure chart 45-620 (Arista). voice. Capitol 3997. mileage. Asylum AB 202 (11.98). JIM STAFFORD, "YOUR BULLDOG DRINKS TOM JONES, "PLEDGING MY LOVE" (prod. by ERIC BURDON BAND, "SUN SECRETS." CHAMPAGNE" (prod. by Phil Gern- GordonMills)(Lion/Memar,BMI). Burdon fans will surely flock to own hard & Lobo) (Famous, ASCAP). Each Almost twenty years after the late the first new album to appear ofJim'shitsseemstobe more Johnny Ace made crossover history from the former Animal in some time. powerfully outrageous than the last. 410with this soul item, the British master Raspy 'n rousing, new versions of '65 No exception here: this saga of a of the big ballad takes control of the hits "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" gal and her dog is told in positively Don Robey-penned biggie. Should and"It's My Life"receive updated, zany terms.Bubbly bitof humor prove the ,equal or better of his last fervid renderings and the new single, that's surely barking up the highest hitre -make,"I(Who Have Noth- "The Real Me," is Burdon-branded for of tall chart trees! MGM 14775. ing)." Parrot 40081 (London). success. Capitol ST -11359 (6.98). OHIO PLAYERS, "FIRE" (prod. by Ohio Players) HONK,HESITATION" (prod. by Henry Lewry) BILLY SWAN, "I CAN HELP." Kristoffer- (OhioPlayers / Unichappell,BMI). (Granite,ASCAP).Innovativeself- son's former guitarist has gone solo Stressingthetautness even more contained vocal/instrumental combi- and struck it solid on his debut outing .11IPM1117/ than on "Skin Tight," the soul chant nation known for their one -of -a -kind with the album's titletrack. The disc from the septet's latest album will approach to horn rock moves to the is predominantly comprisedofself - be clingingto a top chart perch label with a single that wastes no penned pleasers,includingthe early asit becomes a rallying cry ala time at all. He who hears "Hesita- Clyde McPhatter giant "Lover Please" Sly Stone's "Higher." Yellingitin tion" is won over immediately! Their and thespiritedforthcomingsingle, a crowded auditorium will soon be name will be making hit noise with "I'm Her Fool." S'wan-derful! Monu- commonplace. Mercury 73643. all due speed. Epic 8-50056. ment KZ 33279 (Columbia) (5.98). SUGAR BILLY, "SUPER DUPER LOVE, PART 1" RICHARD HARRIS, "THE PROPHET." BILLY PRESTON, "STRUTTIN' " (prod. by Billy I I I, T Preston) (Irving/WEP, BMI).In the (prod. by Soundtrack Prod.) (Fratelli, KahlilGibran's most popularpoetic KAH111 GISRAN traditionof"OuttaSpace"and BMI). Sweet William excels as a funk work has been sensitivelyrecorded, "Space Race," Billy's struttin' out a powerhouse bound to explode on much tothecreditof Arif Mardin's change of pace item with a moog- the soul charts and spread to pop producing and composing capabilities, majestic instrumental. A disco -bound territory much of its megatonnage. Richard Harris' dramatic rendering, and dynamo for sure that's got to be Those who dig a raw disco sound Jerry Wexler and Ed Mathews' execu- funk for all ages off his "Kids And will agree that the titular superla- tiveproduction. Predicting an ecclesi- Me" album. Walk tall,Billy! A&M tivesuitsBillytoperfection.Fast asticchart reignforthe timelyset. 1644. Track 2501 (Mainstream). Atlantic SD 18120 (6.98). Segelstein Discusses Key CBS ointments: Alexenburg VP, GM nd Col/Custom Labels; Ellis Col VP, West Coast A&R; Koppelman CBS Pubberies VP, GM RW Nnis Mike Sigman VP & Managing EditorO Custom, WB Pact Intl. Musexpo '75 Set Dialogue: Paul Fishkin AmericanRadioHistory.Com BRIAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS. ON THE RIGHT TRACK AGAIN... rimmisap ...with their newest, live Oblivion, Volume I." (They also had the right tracks with "Closer To It!" and "Straight Ahead.") Recorded live at The Whisky. You hear the audience screaming for more, and your customers and listeners will be right there with them, as they hurtle headlong on an Express trip way...way...way out to... "Live Oblivion"! Brian and his crew are also taking a trip that's not quite as way out. A road trip; 12/3Newark, Del. 12/4 Northampton, Pa. 12/5Pittsburgh, Pa. 12/6Rio Grande, Ohio 12/7Millersville, Pa. 12/8 Clarksburg, W. Va. 12/9-11 New York, N.Y. RCil Records and Tapes Ron RECORDED LIVE AT THE WHISKY, HOLLYWOOD Brian Auger's Oblivion Express Livt ObimonVOL CLOSER 10 TI IRAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS Aar t Includes: Beginning Again Truth Includes. Whenever You're Ready Happiness Is Just Around the Bend Don't Look Away Bumpin' on Sunset Inner City Blues Compared to What CPM/CPS1/CPK1-0645 APL1/APS1/APK1-0140 APLI/APS1/APK1-04561 AmericanRadioHistory.Com Dedicated to the Needs Of the Music/Record Industry DECEMBER 7, 1974 Alexenburg Promoted to VP, GM, CBS Records President Segelstein Epic and Columbia/Custom Labels Details 'Long Term' Growth Plan By ROBERT ADELS NEW YORK-Irwin Segelstein, president, CBS Records, has an- NEW YORK-Addressing the continuing growth pattern of CBS nounced the promotion of Ron- Records, president Irwin Segelsteinin an in-depth interview with ald Alexenburg to the position of Record World placed this week's major announcements of promotions for Ron Alexenburg, Don Ellis and Charles Koppelman (see separate vice president, general manager, stories) in a "contextual frame" as "part of a long-term plan." That Epic Records and Columbia/Cus- plan, explained Segelstein, was first put into motion at the CBS Rec- tom Labels. ords convention in August with the appointment of Bruce Lundvall Inhis new position, Alexen- as general manager of Columbia Records. burg will be responsible for the He continued, "Both Columbia and Epic have experienced growth, overall direction of Epic Records, to which the Columbia Custom Labels' success pattern has added. including a&r, promotion, sales Also being a company that increasingly views our vital publishing and merchandising activities. He interests as much more than an unpleasant adjunct to a record com- willalso continue to supervise Ron Alexenburg pany, these three announcements represent our ability to husband the marketing of Columbia/Cus- all this growth and foster artist development on all fronts." midwest region, Date Records, at tom Labels and the performance Segelstein continued to stress the creative spirit of CBS Records by of the Epic and Custom Label the time of the label's inception re-emphasizing that "it's the heart of a growing concern." He elabo- in promotion field force. Alexenburg 1965.In1967, he was pro- rated: "Record companies, what with the day-to-day contending with will report directly to Segelstein. motedtomanager,Date/Ode sales and promotion and, material shortages and marketing strategies, often see their manage- Alexenburgfirstjoined CBS later ment energies diverted to administrative tasks. We have to get back Records as promotion manager, thatyear, was named assistant to what's basic: the product, the artist and the development of both director, national promotion, Co- . .. Often even an interview with a record company president takes lumbia Records. After moving up Col Names Ellis to director, national promotion, on forced marketing overtones. While CBS Records is of course com- mitted to market research, when all is said and done,you must start ColumbiaRecords,Alexenburg off with that product and that talent." Coast A&R VP wasappointedvicepresident, In line with the restructuring of top executive roles to facilitate NEW YORK - Bruce Lundvall, Columbia Custom Labels artist development on all levels, Segelstein briefly reviewed the back- sales and distribution in August, vice president, general manager, grounds of the three men most recently promoted from withincom- Columbia Records has announced 1970, a position he has held until pany ranks, a situation which he generally characterized as "healthy": this new move. Prior to joining the appointment of Don Ellis to "Ron Alexenburg represents something old-fashioned inthis busi- the positionofvicepresident, CBS Records, Alexenburg served ness, he's a 'record man: Don Ellis, who is originally from the as local promotion manager for west west coast a&r, Columbia Rec- coast, will now be able to make Columbia Records' visibilitymore ords. an independent record distributor pronounced in the a&r area there, in Chicago. as he relocates. And Charles Inhis new capacity, Ellis will Koppelman is most unique in a world of otherwisediminishing pub- beresponsiblefortheoverall (Continued on page 8) lishing giants." (Continued on page 8) coordination and supervision of the Columbia a&r department on the west coast. In addition to the Record World Appoints MikeSigman constant evaluation of new ma- WB, Curtom Pact terial and the signing of new art- CHICAGO - Mary Stuart and Vice President & Managing Curtis Mayfield, co -presidents of iststo the Columbia label,his Editor duties will also include the main- NEW YORK - Record World Curtom Records Inc., and Warner Bros.