CASABLANCA: Play It Again, An Interview with Christian John WIkane

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Casablanca Records, writer Christian John Wikane interviewed more than 50 artists and executives who helped usher the label into popular music history. From disco to rock to jazz to soul, Casablanca captured imaginations with a roster of artists unlike any other record company. In this interview, Christian John Wikane explains his inspiration for assembling an oral history of Casablanca that includes conversations with everyone from Donna Summer to members of Cameo, Parliament, Village People, Brooklyn Dreams, and Angel, as well as producers like Bob Esty, Giorgio Moroder, and Tom Moulton. Look for CASABLANCA: PLAY IT AGAIN here http://www.popmatters.com/pm/special/section/casablanca-records-play-it-again/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Donna
• Summer
• disco
• KISS
• Village
• People
• PopMatters
• Casablanca
• P-Funk

[motorcitymiguel]

would love to meet & talk with this guy... Love Motown & Casablanca labels & artists of course..

[dontrepeatyourself]

Here's another story. I wrote and produced the Philadelphia Flyers Run & Hide and leased it to London Label GM Records. It wasn't until a friend showed me the Billboard charts, where it hovered in the Disco Top Ten for a few weeks, that I was aware they had done a deal with Casablanca. Finally, I was told that Casablanca had gone bust and don't expect any money (This was before Donna Summers). And true to their word, not a penny did I receive.

Happy Days

Mark Wesley

[herkimer400]

So cool, so well done. So fun to read on popmatters. Bravo!

[youdontseeyouwant]

Cool trailer for your upcoming feature! I look forward to learning about Casablanca.

[rosworld]

I agree, your pure love for the music really comes through - really an awesome interview. Dancing in the Moonlight - oh how I loved that song. You will take many to places they remember fondly, and help others to discover a rich, wonderful musical history. A really wonderful job :)

[BPEMusic]

Great interview...good job! Casablanca (as with Solar) did have a stellar lineup of artists back in the day and I could see why that would be well worthy writing about. Thanks for remembering the oldies but goodies!

[DejaVusee]

I, too, eagerly look forward to reading this Casablanca feature on PopMatters. I know for sure that all the artists and former execs you interviewed for this gigantic feature will be pleased with the results, because with you, it's never about sensationalism, but all about your love for the music. Reading any sample of your work makes this point quite evident.

Congrats on finally completing the project. It may have taken you almost half a year but I'm sure it was worth it!

[betharentsen]

I can't wait to read your article! Good job on the video :)

[curtisondrums]

HEY MAN! Thanks so much for bringing us back into the light! We (and I can speak for all of us) want to express our sincere grattitude for your work and interest in what we did!! Curtis Sanford (Drums-Platypus)

[herkimer400]

Just as fun the second viewing! Can't wait for the blog piece. :) Love the acts from the Casbah!