Walter Yetnikoff on Why Record Labels Are Failing Emerging Artists

In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org - Walter Yetnikoff, the legendary former head of CBS Records, shares his thoughts at a meeting of the American Bar Association on the tendency of record label management to abandon an artist if they don't meet with immediate success, instead of working through periods of lower album sales (or revenue) to build a lasting market for that artist's music. He illustrates his argument with an analysis of the career of Bruce Springsteen, who was on CBS during Yetnikoff's tenure.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• walter yetnikoff
• artistshousemusic
• artists house music
• Major Labels
• Music Industry Today
• Record Companies
• Record Industry

[Jeroenopstal]

The godfather of the music business

[moonjumpr]

I really love this guy. A true mensch, as Billy Joel has said. He's such a big reason Columbia was THE record label from the '60s (Dylan) to '70s (Joel) to '80s (Jackson). I know I sound old, but it's true: There was a certain joy and excitement in buying LPs; holding that big slice of cardboard and wax in your hands in the record store. Immediacy has replaced more aesthetic joys.

[lyndaemon]

Hey Good Lookin' !

We had more fun than should be allowed.

Love,

Boom Boom

[82pendragon]

Walter, you're are great man but you sound a little bit hypocritical considering you were slow to get on board MTV & the CD.

[johnsull66]

this guy is my fkn hero!!!!

[frankdis]

Dear Mr. Yetnikoff-

Please come into my job, Amoeba Music, in Los Angeles. I work at the info desk. Records are not dead, and I will direct you to new artists who have released LPs exclusively on vinyl. It's awesome. We are better than Tower Records ever was.

Thanks,

Frankie

[karp821]

interesting