![]() The FBI, the rumors said, had invaded CBS’ black skyscraper and seized files from Wynshaw’s office, and CBS had “cordoned off” the room and fired the 11-year veteran. He’d been locked out of his 12th floor office a couple of weeks ago, and there was talk about prostitution and drugs. The first rumors had begun to fly during “A Week to Remember.” David Wynshaw, 52, Vice President of Artist Relations at Columbia, had been busted. He must have known, even while changing outfits between concert and press party, while watching the lines form each day, that he was in trouble. The story, written by Robert Hilburn, would be hailed by radio tip-sheet publisher Kal Rudman as “fantastic” and “breathtaking.” Clive must have known, even as he shook hands with each impressive act. Times the week before, and the story hit the entertainment section’s front page on Sunday, just right: CLIVE DAVIS-MIDAS TOUCH ON COLUMBIA LABEL. He checked sales every hour so that he could coordinate promotional activities and advertising. He blamed the flaw on the Ahmanson Theater itself, for not putting advance tickets on sale until opening night. He would go to the box office and become upset that only five of seven shows sold out completely for such a small (2,400-seat) theater. The company also taped the 21 acts for a film to be shown at their annual sales convention in July.ĭavis took a 20-minute ride out to the theater in downtown L.A. It was a show of eclecticism, and all for charity, the profits going to the Park Century School in Los Angeles. Hello, I’m Clive Davis, President of Columbia Records.” Seven nights in a row, from Sunday, April 29th to the following Saturday, Davis, dressed Palm Springs style in white suit and matching white patent leather shoes, acted as MC for Columbia’s “A Week to Remember.” The idea was another of Clive’s prides, the fact that his was indeed a full-line label, strong in classical, country and jazz music as well as middle-of-the-road pop, hard rock, and, especially since last year’s distribution deal with producers Gamble & Huff, Philadelphia’s black entrepreneurs, soul music. Not bad for a man from the Bronx whose first favorite music came from Make Believe Ballroom on his radio whose primary goal in life, once, was to be a good lawyer. And last year, there was “additional compensation” of $74,000 for a total of $359,000. At age 40, he was the commander-in-chief of the largest record company in the world for his efforts, which kept him at his office on weekends and holidays, he earned $135,000 a year his contract also provided “incentive” bonuses adding up to $250,000 over three years. He took enormous pleasure in what to him must have been no less than resurrections, born of his own personal patience, of Johnny Winter, Blood Sweat & Tears, Santana, Sly Stone, and Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.ĭavis himself had a long-term agreement with CBS Incorporated: a five year contract stretching to April 14th, 1975. He fought, with big money, to keep Laura Nyro at his label, and he refused to believe that Dylan was out of his contract for a year after the fact. ![]() Miles Davis and Johnny Cash, Leonard Bernstein and Chicago, Barbra Streisand and the Byrds. ![]() Davis, as president of Columbia Records, was always proud of long-term agreements. Sony Wonder continued to release new titles until 2004.NEW YORK-Clive J. It was the first time Sesame Street had received the boxed-set treatment from a major label, although several multi-LP boxed sets had been released over the years on Sesame Street Records. It also contained a detailed booklet about the history of the show, written by Christopher Cerf. This set was full of classic and rare tracks both from records and from live performances on the show. The Sony Wonder years culminated with Songs from the Street, an elaborate 3-CD boxed set produced in association with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings. However, one section of dialogue was cut which referred to turning the record over, which wouldn't make any sense to CD listeners. While that album was not reissued on CD by Sony Wonder, the third Columbia album, The Muppet Alphabet Album, was reissued as Sing the Alphabet. This was looked on with interest by some Sesame collectors, since Sony owns the back catalog of Columbia Records, who put out the very first Sesame Street LP in 1970. ![]() In 1995, Sony Wonder began issuing a new series of titles.
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