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A Memory Of Mr. Lennon
July 13, 2012
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"I've been a Beatles fan since they arrived on American radio," he says. "I never imagined that night as I watched them on 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' that within five years I'd be lucky enough to get a job working for Capitol Records selling Beatles records, and then promoting them to the very radio stations I grew up listening to."
-- John LennonMy many thanks to the examiner.com's resident Beatle expert, Steve Marinucci, for his interview with me this week talking about my memory of John Lennon, about his passing, and my time at Capitol Records.
I told the story about the night of John's passing, and what my son said that said night, on literally dozens of radio stations the next day that were calling our offices for interviews and commentary about John. I think everyone at the time knew the "Blue Meanies" were the evil doers who stopped the music in Pepperland in the Beatles groundbreaking animated film 'Yellow Submarine.' If you've never seen the film, you know that now as well.
In any case, for those of you who are Beatles fans, here's the link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/79r4lvu
My thanks again to Steve Marinucci. And as you can see, he's a source for all things Beatles!
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 2
BE A DANCE MUSIC DJ SOMEDAY AND EARN $1 MILLION
The Dance Music scene shows no signs of slowing down.
This from Rolling Stone, "It took nine minutes last fall for Swedish House Mafia to show the concert business that electronic dance music was suddenly big enough to compete with Jay-Z or Phish in the world's biggest venues. In late September, the European DJ trio's manager, Amy Thomson, put a December 16th show at Madison Square Garden on sale via Facebook - and 20,000 tickets sold out almost instantly. "Since that point," says Thomson, "a lot of the large promoters assumed if you can blow out Madison Square Garden in nine minutes, then this scene must be able to sell out 100 Madison Square Gardens ... For top DJs, paydays have skyrocketed: The biggest names earn more than $1 million to headline a festival and $10 million a year for a Las Vegas nightclub residency, according to The New York Times."
Read the rest on Rolling Stone here: http://tinyurl.com/cdgpswx
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 3
FROM TORRENT FREAK: 'HOW BIG MUSIC THREATENED START-UPS AND KILLED INNOVATION
"An unprecedented new report has detailed how the destruction of Napster chilled a decade's worth of innovation in the music industry. Through interviews with 31 CEOs, company founders and VPs who operated in digital music during the period, we hear how Big Music collapsed start-ups, turned down 'blank check' deals, and personally threatened innovators with ruination for both them and their families."
Read the article here: http://tinyurl.com/6sxosgr
AND ALSO FROM TORRENT FREAK, READ 'PIRACY IS NOT A PROBLEM, IT'S AN EXCUSE'
"It's 2012 and "Piracy" is still a hot topic of conversation in the industry. People who torrent music or have a huge music library are accused of screwing over artists, stealing, and being entitled. Piracy is still cited as The Main Reason Why Artists Are Broke. Apparently, independent research is not enough to illustrate that the situation is complex, multi-dimensional, and industry losses are likely completely unrelated to file-sharing."
Read that article here: http://tinyurl.com/74nrzjs
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 4
CANADA'S TOP COURT RULES AGAINST MUSIC INDUSTRY
A ruling by Canada's Supreme Court Thursday morning further delineated between music owners' right to be paid and listeners' right to use downloaded music without infringing on copyright.
The decision confirmed that -- under Canada's "fair dealings" clause, a similar legal guideline to "fair use" in the United States -- users shouldn't have to pay to hear 30- to 90-second clips of songs on Apple's iTunes store.
Read the rest here on The Wrap: http://tinyurl.com/d9nj4ys
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 5
FROM CNET: 'NETFLIX'S LOST YEAR, THE INSIDE STORY OF THE PRICE-HIKE TRAIN WRECK
One year ago this week, CEO Reed Hastings took the first of a series of missteps that angered customers and nearly derailed his company.
Current and former employees disclose what went wrong.
Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/76xdmmr
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 6
CNN: 'FOUR WAYS THE INTERNET COULD GO DOWN'
Okay, so we all got through the DNS Server virus warnings and all is well, right?
Not exactly. CNN'S David Eagleman tells us there are at least four ways the Internet could go down.
Read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/7xu3w6j
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 7
DYLAN'S NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL GUITAR COULD BE WORTH UP TO $1 MILLION (IF IT IS THE ONE)
Though Bob Dylan denies it's THE guitar that he strapped on when he went electric at the Newport Folk Festival back in 1965, others are saying it's the real thing.
It seems a team of PBS researchers told New Jersey resident Dawn Peterson that she had it in her home. ("Peterson's late father, Victor Quinto, was a private pilot who worked for Dylan's manager, Albert Grossman, in the mid-1960s. "After one flight, my father saw there were three guitars left on the plane," she says. He contacted the company a few times about picking the guitars up, but nobody ever got back to him.")
Read more on Rolling Stone here: http://tinyurl.com/d3z9bjo
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 8
DOUG MORRIS SEZ YOUTUBE SHOULD PAY MORE FOR VEVO
From the L.A. Times, "Industry veteran Doug Morris, the chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment and founder of Vevo Inc., has issued a threat to Google Inc.: Give us a better rate for our music videos or we'll take them elsewhere."
Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/6vxx5wn
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 9
STEVEN TYLER SEZ BUH-BYE TO 'AMERICAN IDOL' AFTER TWO SEASONS
Steven Tyler is leaving "American Idol" after two seasons with the show, sparking yet another retooling for the decade-old singing competition. "After some long ... hard ... thoughts ... I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress 'American Idol' before she boils my rabbit," Tyler said in a statement. (That reference is to the famous scene in "Fatal Attraction" where Michael Douglas' mistress, Glenn Close, puts the family bunny in a pot on the stove)
I said last year that "Idol" had "jumped the shark" in my opinion, and that is was no longer the talk around the office water-coolers since Simon Cowell left.
Now the show must re-tool again, and there are even rumors Randy Jackson and J-Lo might be leaving. (Do we even care anymore?)
Read more on The Wrap here: http://tinyurl.com/7ls93l8
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 10
IT ISN'T EXACTLY 'MINORITY REPORT', BUT STILL...
If you've see Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report," then you are well-acquainted with the Pre-Crime Department envisioned in the sci-fi film.
Of course, in that film, the police had the help of the "pre-cogs."
There's no pre-cogs here, just technology. But police are embracing tech software that can forecast crimes based on historical data.
Check it out on CNN here: http://tinyurl.com/cuuqgfw
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THE 'A-SIDE' - BONUS TRACKS
* If you're in the market for a smartphone that doesn't have an Apple logo on the back, check out CNET's Top 5 Android smartphones for July 2012: http://tinyurl.com/7a5tslt
* There are more ways than ever to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, iTunes, HBO Go and other online services. Which device is best for you? http://tinyurl.com/86ph36w
* What's in a name? A lot, if you ask these musicians, each of whom ditched their birth names and adopted an alias before hitting the big time. (And for good reason, in some cases -- Ahmir-Khalib Thompson just doesn't roll off the tongue quite as easily as "Questlove," does it?) Check out the gallery on Billboard and find out the real names behind 150 pop star pseudonyms. You'll never look at Robyn Fenty, Joel Zimmerman or Elizabeth Grant the same way: http://tinyurl.com/6uhztaj
* The five most-connected cars. Internet connections in cars power everything from destination search to music. These five represent the latest in connectivity: http://tinyurl.com/7mktc25
Short News Items ...
THAT WAS QUICK:
Just as suddenly as news broke that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are divorcing, the celebrity super-couple settled their divorce proceedings. No doubt Tom did not want any battle at all. (Translation: He didn't want any Scientology talk in the media)
SORRY BIEBER, MS. SWIFT TAKES THE PRIZE:
Taylor Swift tops Forbes' list of Highest-Paid Celebrities Under 30, besting Bieber, Rihanna and others, including "Twilight" stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. According to Forbes, Ms. Swift raked in a whopping $57 million between May 2011 and May 2012.
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO ON THE 'X FACTOR':
For Britney Spears, listening to an 'X Factor' hopeful perform a cover of one of her songs may have been a total drag -- literally. During auditions in Greensboro, N.C., Spears stormed off the set as a man, dressed partially as a woman, rocked through one of her hits, "(You Drive Me) Crazy."
SLASH STARRED:
Slash was honored this week with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just three months after his induction with Guns N' Roses into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
ELECTRIC OR NOT, HE WAS GOING FAST:
Justin Bieber was pulled over and cited for speeding in his Fisker Karma in Studio City, California last Friday night. His estimated speed allegedly exceed 100 miles per hour. Biebs said he was trying to elude paparazzi who were chasing him. Tell it to the judge, kid.
GAGA NETWORK:
Lady Gaga launched her social network for "Little Monsters" this week after months in beta. Gaga's manager co-founded the company behind the technology, and the singer is a key investor.
JOPLIN BIOFLICK:
Tony award-winning actress Nina Arianda will appear as the singer in the Sean Durkin-directed "Joplin," Deadline reports. According to producer Peter Newman, who's been trying to put together a Joplin flick along with his partners for the past 12 years, Arianda will sing all of Joplin's music.
GREEN DAY DOCS:
Two documentaries about Green Day will accompany the release of the California punks' three upcoming albums, which are set to drop between September and January, Billboard reports.
MACCA MUSIC FOR A GAME?
Paul McCartney is working on new music with the creators of the popular video game Halo. McCartney made the announcement on his Twitter page over the weekend, posting, "I'm really excited to be working on writing music with Bungie, the studio that made Halo," along with a photo of him working on the project.
STONES PIX ON DISPLAY:
In celebration of their 50th anniversary, the Rolling Stones will attend a photographic exhibition in their honor in London on July 12th, the 50th anniversary to the day of their first gig at London's Marquee Club.
POM FRONTMAN GETS 'GET OUT OF JAIL FREE' CARD:
Puddle of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin has entered a guilty plea for his felony cocaine possession charge, reports E!. Scantlin was arrested in January and charged in April, but now will avoid any jail time by pleading guilty.
NO NEW CS &N ALBUM:
In a recent interview with MusicRadar.com, Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash maintains that despite the band's upcoming live CD/DVD release, CSN 2012, the group won't be making a new studio album. "Well, there's the DVD, right, a live set. The thing's done, it's ready to go. But an album? We won't make another album, we won't finish one," he told the website.
iHEART RADIO #2:
The second iHeartRadio Music Festival is scheduled for the Sept. 21st-22nd at the Las Vegas MGM Grand. No Doubt, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Usher, Green Day, Swedish House Mafia, Aerosmith and Bon Jovi are among the headliners. Brad Paisley, Pitbull, Linkin Park, Lil Wayne, Pink, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Deadmau5, Enrique Iglesias, Calvin Harris and Jason Aldean are also scheduled, and additional stars are to be announced throughout the summer.
SPIN BUZZED:
Buzzmedia has bought Spin Media, which publishes the 27-year-old music magazine Spin, for an undisclosed sum-- a move that could expand Spin's reach online but also calls into question its future as a print publication.
FLEETWOOD MAC COMING BACK:
Fleetwood Mac is planning to reunite next year, Stevie Nicks said during an appearance on CBS This Morning this week. "It's the plan," Nicks said. "Because that's what we do. I do my thing, and Lindsey [Buckingham's] out doing his thing."
The Music Industry Past, Present & Future, And The Internet I answer questions on EconTalk
I did an interview about the industry and the Internet at EconTalk with host Russ Roberts. Russ is also a professor of economics at George Mason University, blogs at Cafe Hayek, and has written three novels that teach economics. He's also the co-creator of the Keynes-Hayek rap video. (And if your understanding of the economic meltdown that occurred needs to be enlightened, this video will do it)
In the interview we talk about the evolution of the music industry, the impact of the digital revolution, and I give my reasons for believing in the virtues and potential of the Internet in enhancing the music industry. I point out, as I have many times here in the newsletter, that the internet allows numerous artists to make money from their music and it can enhance revenues from live performances by expanding an artist's base. We also discuss the challenges facing record companies and I suggest that the full potential of the Internet as a distribution channel has yet to be fully exploited. There's a lot of ground covered, but based on the comments already posted of those who have tuned in, they've enjoyed it.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Quotes of the week
"It's been fun."
-- Alec Baldwin, in his final Twitter post before deactivating his personal account. (My congrats to Mr. Baldwin for dumping a wholly unnecessary pastime)"I won't say they were perfect gentlemen -- what fun would that be?"
-- Ronnie Spector, talking about when The Ronettes met John Lennon and George Harrison."This entire Bowie/Jagger thing is completely stupid and false! Who cares what they did in their private time? I sure don't, but I don't like getting dragged into the press when I wasn't part of it. I don't do orgies, never did, never have!" she writes. "Yes, I dated both men but not at the same time. Bowie was more of JUST a friend. Jagger was a BF on and off for years. I hate having to answer to all of this crap! A person's sexuality is their own right and business but I am not anyone's sex toy!"
-- Bebe Buell, mother of Liv Tyler and former lover of both Jagger and Bowie, denying the stories about David Bowie and Mick Jagger ever having an affair.
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
Comic Book Movies Dominate Summer Box Office
With The Avengers having taken in $1.5 billion worldwide, and the final installment of the Batman trilogy due in theaters this month, movie companies are rushing to option more comic book properties. Here are some currently in production:
- Wizard Of Id: Christopher Nolan directs this gritty take on the corrupt world of Id, a medieval land ruled with an iron fist by a corrupt tyrant (Peter Dinklage)
- Captain America 2: Marvel gives audiences exactly what they want: a two-hour-long montage of Captain America struggling in vain to grasp modern technology
- Wonder Woman: Someone went through Joss Whedon's trash, found some notes, and ran with it; no invisible jet, she's basically a really strong Mary Tyler Moore.
Read the rest here and laugh: Click Here.
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Smart Marketing Consulting Services has been in business sixteen years, and consults clients in the music, entertainment, attraction, media, and technology industry on branding, marketing, online exploitation, maximizing new media, and more.
"And the beat goes on, the beat goes on ... drums keep poundin' rhythm to the brain."
"Work is life, you know, and without it, there's nothing but fear and insecurity." -- John Lennon
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