e JANUARY 16, 1971 9bCC+5 a l 1V3 OCCMA1iCH CA -IC i33N11S CZIL dI..t;3 31 V,, cwno; ::l 31-1 az-. The success of Vinny Testa's Infinity Productions far from Frijid as year -and -a -half -old firm Blooms. Story appears In this issue. FOUR TOPS, "JUST SEVEN NUMBERS (CAN BURT BACHARACH, "ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE" ELVIS PRESLEY, "ELVIS COUNTRY." Elvis Pres- STRAIGHTEN OUT MY LIFE" (Jobete, (Blue Seas/Jac, ASCAP). Bacharach, ley returns to the arena where it all started BMU. The Four Tops renaissance with an easy going group of voices for him-country music. Included are beauti- ,11 continues with this low key, haunt- AM renders a song with a most harmo- ful, simple, attractive versions of "Snowbird," MUIUWN RECORDS ing song about a telephone number. nious message. Written with partner "Whole Lot -ta Shakin' Goin' On," "Funny How No reason this can't be one of their Hal David, it's the kind of thing that Time Slips Away," "There Goes My Every- all-time big ones. Motown 1175. builds into a monster. A&M 1241. thing," "Make the World Go Away." RCA LSP 4460. OTIS REDDING, "I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO JAMES ANDERSON, "THE TRACKER" (Crazy Cajun, ELTON JOHN, "TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION." LONG" (East -Time, BMI). This is a BMI). Anderson almost made it last Elton John does an album distinguished by a live version of one of the late soul time out with "Mama Mama" but subtle concept-a musical portrait of Western master's biggest hits. Recorded at (otiltion should catch fire this time. The song Americana. This is one of the last things the Monterey Pop Festival, the ex- is a swampy heavyweight that is a expected from two British lads (John and his citement is impossible to describe. perfect match for his gritty vocal; genius lyricist Bernie Taupin), but here it is, Atco 6802. ditto Huey Meaux' production. Cotil- nevertheless. Will be to 1971 what Elton John lion 44104. was to 1970-one of the year's best. Uni 73096 (MCA). TOMMY ROE, "LITTLE MISS GOODIE TWO SHOES" C.C.S., "WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" (Superhype, ASCAP). THE LETTERMEN, "EVERYTHING'S GOOD ABOUT (Low-Twi, BMI). Roe keeps the kids Instrumental group debuts Mickie YOU." The Lettermen are among the few ar- coming back for more and this one Most's label with their version of tists who continually bridge the generation will certainly continue the estab- last year's Led Zeppelin biggie. Lead gap. They do it again on this new album, lished trend. Cute one is a natural flute and excellent rhythm work which starts with new single from them, for him (and his fans), so look out mark it as one to watch. Rak ZS7 "Everything Is Good About You." Most of the for big numbers. ABC 11287. 4501 (Epic). material is familiar and will hypnotize fans. Capitol ST 634. THE PRESIDENTS, "TRIANGLE OF LOVE (HEY DID- WIGWAM, "CALL ME ON YOUR TELEPHONE" (Suite SEATRAIN, "SEATRAIN." One of the best groups DLE DIDDLE)" (Interior/Van McCoy, Seven & Rare Magnetism, ASCAP). to climb aboard the country rock train is BMI). The guys who did so well with New group with the hardest of rock Seatrain. Produced now by George Martin, who 1Stt(C "5.10-15-20" are back with another FORECAST sounds should score in short order. has suppressed all Beatles -type urges, the soulful outing. Their smooth ap- They've got an unpretentious, in- group does a series of evocative, home- proach coupled with Van McCoy's volving approach that everybody spun songs to lure crowds to counters. The production means instant reaction. will dig; Kim Fowley produced. future for them is great. Capitol SMAS 659. Sussex 212 (Buddah). Verve Forecast KF5114 (MGM). Record Industry Warned on Regression. See Page 3 www.americanradiohistory.comAmericanRadioHistory.Com You need Friends who can play New Yo -k's In today's economy 5 Copa and get reviews like Billboard's: Records .. their potent h is and Tapes you need all the Friends excellently matchededalizatito an exci-ingly choreographed presentation." who can earn Gold Records with Where R & B goes you can get. You need Friends beyond dynamic songs like "Grazing in the Grass" and Rhythm & Blues "Going in Circles." You need Friends who can follow action like this with another single, "l Need You," that's headec for the top. Today more than ever, you need The Friends of Distinction. The Friends of Distinction "I Need You" #74-0416 www.americanradiohistory.comAmericanRadioHistory.Com Dedicated to the Needs Of the Music/Record Industry January 16, 1971 Beatles Discord Symbolic of Wide Disenchantment? industry Must Guard Against Regression By DAVE FINKLE In his startling, sad album There has been a good deal concerned with disseminating (and recent Rolling in- of in Since John Lennon, Paul Mc- Stone talk the industry recently art, and the potential of records terview) John Lennon has said of 1971 being the year of the as art is just beginning to be Cartney, George Harrison and that Ringo who the "dream" is over. It is "professional," the time to get probed. Starr, collectively as if the world is used to form Beatles, crashing, the job done, enough of the fan- The problem that really must the have coming down from a always been trendsetters, who terrific tastical tripping of the '60s. Im- be grappled with is the com- knows high that enabled citizens of plicit in this sentiment is the monplace misconception that what repercussions their the '60s to current disentanglement pro- attempt the impos- suspicion that the unbusiness- business and art are mutually sible, expand their horizons. like artistic imagination must exclusive. They aren't. True art, cedures in London's High Court And will have? now, off the high, the be curbed. But although much which can be defined roughly as world seems extraordinarily strife attended the past decade, illuminating entertainment and In many ways, the Beatles' mundane, a place where we for the record business, it was which can include everything disenchantment with each oth- suddenly realize, whatever hap- indisputably the most adventur- (on records) from Beethoven er, which has come increasingly pens, business must be taken ous period in its history. to the Archies, has to reach the into focus since the spring, is care of, realities must, after all, If a retrenchment of spirit public in some way to have any symbolic of a general disen- be faced. And realities include occurs, it could be a tragic de- beneficial effect at all, really. chantment settling over the law courts, limited possibilities, velopment for the record busi- To achieve that, business is business and, if you look close- hard facts, not, ultimately, be- ness, because the record busi- needed -- diQtrihntion. price ly, around the world. ing able to beat the system. ness is one of the businesses (Continued on page 45) Settler Appointed RCA Sour to AGAC Post Establishing headquarters at Director, Commercial Sales AGAC, he will spearhead the 40 -year -old organization's drive Gene Settler has been ap- to increase membership. pointed to the position of Di- Sour has been with Broadcast rector of Commercial Sales by Music, Inc., since Feb. 19, 1940, RCA Records. 19 days after it opened for busi- Announcement was made by ness. Starting as Lyric Editor Bill Walsh, Division Vice Presi- he became Director of Publish- dent, Marketing, to whom Set- er Relations in 1951 and Assist- tler will report. The appoint- ant Vice President in 1952. In ment is effective immediately. 1956 he became Vice President "Our field sales organization in charge of Writer Relations will report directly to Mr. Set- until October of 1965 when he tler who brings to this vital Robert B. Sour was named President to suc- position a wealth of experience ceed the late Robert J. Burton. in sales and distribution atuned NEW YORK-Edward Elis- In April of 1968 he was ap- Gene Settler (Continued on page 6) cu, President of the American pointed Vice Chairman of the Guild of Authors and Compos- Board of BMI. ers, has announced the appoint- He is now relinquishing his ment of Robert B. Sour who active participation as an offi- Record World Names Broadhead will fill the newly created office cer of BMI but will continue of Consultant on Membership to act as a consultant. Country Who's Who Ad Director Relations. (Continued on page 37) George R. Broadhead joins Bell to the Record World staff as Ad- Distrib Crewe MGM Acquires vertising Director of the Coun- Larry Uttal, President of Bell Transcontinental try Music Who's Who, a Rec- Records, has confirmed that he ord World publication, and will is close to signing a contract for HOLLYWOOD - MGM Rec- also serve in executive capaci- the distribution of Crewe Rec- ords has acquired Transconti- ties at Record World and its ords. nental Record Corp. from enterprises. Transcontinental Investing Broadhead had been with `Nanette' to RCA Corp., according to label Pres- Billboard Publications since RCA Records will release the ident Mike Curb. 1965, where he was an account original Broadway cast album (Continued on page 19) executive in New York before of "No, No Nanette," forth- relocating to Nashville as coming Broadway revival of the Starring are Ruby Keeler, Southern District Manager of vintage Vincent Youmans mu- Jack Gilford, Patsy Kelly, George Broadhead (Continued on page 37) sical. (Continued on page 37) 3 www.americanradiohistory.comAmericanRadioHistory.Com Cook RCA VP Canada Ed Silvers Cook had been President of RCA, Argentina, SAIC, in WB Music Prez which capacity he had en- trenched RCA as that nation's 214 W.