$4.50 (U.S.), $5.95 (CAN.), !'3.50 (U.K.) IN THIS ISSUE 35 FM, 16.50 Dfl, DK 59.50, DM20, 12,000 Lire M # #>r* *******3 -DIGIT 908 000817973 441 9121 MR92 HHZ MONTY GREENLY APT A 3740 ELi1' LONG BEACH CA 90807 FOLLOWS PACE SO MAY 25, 1991 THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT ADVERTISEMENTS Sony Launching New Disc Format Clubs Getting nomad Recordable/Erasable Product Due In '92 The Music -Vid BY SUSAN NUNZIATA much data as an audio CD can hold inch, hard -plastic protective cover in one -fifth the space. This compres- designed for added durability. The Picture Again NEW YORK -The first recordable/ sion technology was developed ex- company is looking at a variety of erasable optical disc system for con- clusively for the Mini Disc, and different packaging options for the BY LARRY FLICK oO sumers is scheduled to hit the mar- Sony does not foresee other applica- software. and MELINDA NEWMAN ° Q ket in late 1992. tions for it at this time. Mini Disc will initially be market- A, Capable of storing up to 74 min- The Mini Discs, like 31/2-inch com- ed as a portable format, filling a NEW YORK- Video, a prime at- e" O 21/2 in a 2.7- (Continued on page 76) traction of dance clubs 10 years ,' ,z alagra N utes of audio data on a -inch puter discs, are encased magneto -optical disc, Sony Corp.'s ago, is resurging in nightspots all NOMAD Mini Disc system has the "enthusi- across the nation, helping to (i wanna give you) DEVOTION astic support" of Sony Music Enter- A Letter From The Publisher: break dance acts and other bands With a #1 club smash and a #2 hit in tainment, which will supply a wide that would not normally be heard the U.K. Nomad had found a home in range of software when the hard- in such venues. Their irresistible 12' and video the U.S. ware is launched, according to a DJs cite exciting visuals, high- has clubs and pop radio Devoted. Billboard Debuts Piece Counts er- quality clips, and increased ser- for Nomad's debut abum in company representative. Watch vice by labels as reasons for the July. On Capitol. The Mini Disc hardware will be priced in the range of high -end por- On Sales Charts revival. Among the artists bene- table tape and CD players (about Two Music fiting from the trend are such $400), according to Sony. Prerecord- To our readers: that scan bar codes at retail check- club -ready acts as Deee -Lite, GARFIELD ed- software prices are expected to This is a week of historic change out counters has made possible a Shawn Christopher, and funk'n' be comparable with those of today's for Billboard magazine. For more whole new degree of accuracy for roll act EMF. 30 our sales charts have measuring record sales: the ability Additionally, as club formats "IWItOOIORWHa!" CDs ($12 -$16), and blank Mini Discs than years, will cost about the same as high -end relied on rankings of best -selling to count precisely the number of have expanded to include industri- TEERNIIB(SDlHlS units sold, rather than just a rank- al and "alternative" pop music, PAT711LABELLE r analog tape ($5 -$6). records obtained from stores, over NATAIECDIE According to Sony sources, Mini the telephone or by messenger ser- ing of titles. Billboard has worked video exposure has sparked play TEETBMYfAIIOtS over the last two years to of records by such groups as DuNESCEaIUR Disc will include the Serial Copy vice. Until now, the only technologi- diligently BRKNG Management System that has been cal changes have been the introduc- take advantage of this new technol- R.E.M. IOURAWLS . more (Continued on page 71) CARLAPDEASON incorporated into consumer DAT tion of computers to tally the data ogy to produce accurate DE9REEGOrETTE and Philips' new Digital Compact more quickly and the recent usage charts. With this issue we are proud D31DF11JOIr Cassette format. of fax machines -but the basic to begin using actual piece counts The Mini Disc -in development methodology has remained the for two of our leading charts: Top since 1986-uses several new tech- same. Pop Albums and Top Country Al- No. 1 IN BILLBOARD Hip, wry, sassy songs performed in a nologies, including a new type of In the last few years, the intro- bums. Eventually, actual units sold tongue-in-cheek salute to the coolest cat as duction of point -of -sale systems (Continued on page 77) HOT 100 SINGLES data compression that stores I DON'T WANNA CRY in town with the hottest new album * MARIAN CAREY (COLUMBIA) around. GARFIELD "Am I CSol Or WI-at?" TOP POP ALBUMS is available on GRP record, 10 cassette * TIME, LOVE AND TENDERNESS and CD. (GR /GRC /GRD-9641) MICHAEL BOLTON (COLUMBIA) No Harmony In Motown, MCA Agreement HOT R &B SINGLES * KISSING YOU BY JANINE McADAMS inson & the Miracles, and the Jackson suit asks for compensatory and puni- KEITH WASHINGTON 5, Motown is seeking to terminate its tive damages in the "tens of millions (QWEST /WARNER BROS.) with MCA, of dollars." TOP R &B ALBUMS NEW YORK-Motown Records last distribution agreement * NEW JACK CITY week filed a lawsuit against MCA which also owns 17% of the label. The The suit was filed by Motown after SOUNDTRACK (GIANT /REPRISE) Inc., MCA Records, and Uni Distribu- its president and CEO, Jheryl Busby, HOT COUNTRY SINGLES tion after a yearlong dispute over who owns 10% of the company, * IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT threatened to use litigation as a last DOUG STONE (EPIC) MCA's handling of Motown's promo- ALBUMS fail- TOP COUNTRY tion and distribution. The suit, filed in resort to rectify MCA's alleged * NO FENCES Los Angeles Superior Court, charges ings (Billboard, May 18). GARTH BROOKS (CAPITOL) that MCA "has consistently under- In response to the suit, MCA fired TOP VIDEO SALES off a claiming that Boston * THE JUNGLE BOOK mined the effort to rebuild Motown." statement (WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO) World -renowned in its '60s heyday Ventures, which owns 70% of Mo- TOP VIDEO RENTALS for such acts as Diana Ross & the Su- town, is using the litigation as a * GHOST premes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Rob- FOLLOWS PACE 54 (Continued on page 79) (PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO) LYNYRD SKYNYRD 1991. Original band members Gary Rossington, Ed King, Lea Wilkeson, Billy Powell and Artimus Pyle are joined by Johnny Van tant on lead vocals and Randal Hall and Kurt Custer to re -form one of rock'n'roll's greatest bands indigo girls LÎV3 On Atlantic. Seven tracks of Indigo Girls recorded live with the Ellen fames Society on a tour that continues to roll through and bowl over the country. Featuring live and studio versions of "1 2 3." 21 INDIGO GIRLS KEEP THE BEAT ALIVE. b 'Epic" Reg. U.S. Par. & Tm, OR. Marca Registrada./ is a trademark of Sony Music Entertainment Inc. 1991 Sony Musk Entert en,lne o 71 486 025 52 ADVERTISEMENT www.americanradiohistory.com Billboard Top Ten Album For 29 Weeks Grammy Award And Two Time American Music Award Winner 6,000,000 Sold Worldwide b,000,000 PUM,, Certified Quadruple %Nvtt Platinum In The U.S. COLLINS MANAGEMENT INC 1991 THE DAVID GEFFEN COMPANY NEVER LESS THAN FULLSERVICE. ROCK 'N' ROLL. GEFFEN www.americanradiohistory.com FCC Favors Relaxing Ownership Rules But Some Skeptical About Deregulation BY BILL HOLLAND radio broadcasters from owning ity entry into ownership." more than 12 AM and 12 FM stations The proposals now are subject to a c 0 NIENTS WASHINGTON, D.C. -The FCC, cit- and limit the number of stations a period of public and congressional ing the "dramatic changes" in to- broadcaster can own in one market. comment before implementation. VOLUME 103 NO. 21 MAY 25, 1991 day's radio markets and "increased Despite the unanimous FCC vote Some members of Congress are competition" and financial difficulties on the proposals, several commission- monitoring the proposals with a wary BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FOR BOB DYLAN in the industry, has proposed to ers have expressed some reserva- eye because of public -interest and lo- change or repeal its traditional rules tions on the deregulation plan. Said calism concerns. Many on Capitol Hill marks his 50th birthday on May 24. In celebration, Billboard Bob Dylan putting strict limits on station owner- veteran commissioner James Quello: are wary of approving deregulation has compiled a star -studded "card" comprised of salutations for and an- ship. "We must be careful not to place a after what they feel were inadequate ecdotes about this unique artist from Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Keith In the proposals, announced May 9, disproportionate emphasis on compe- or misguided attempts in the cable Richards, and many other musicians who have been touched by Dylan's the commission outlined options to re- tition at the expense of the public in- and banking industries. magic through the years. Page 8 peal or relax the rules that prohibit terest, localism, diversity, and minor- Public interest groups also fear re- laxation of ownership rules would MORE TOP 40 POPPING UP ON AUSSIE RADIO take prices beyond the reach of new- comers. Pop and dance music, whose status on Australian playlists was decided- In recent years, the FCC has ly down under that of classic and contemporary rock throughout much of stretched the dial to allow more FM the '80s, is rapidly gaining acceptance at radio outlets there. Correspon- Pianist Rudolf Serkin stations to go on the air. Also, the for- dent Katherine Tulich reports.