And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records
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As for MTV, Neil would have had an entire division devoted to ensuring that his product was always prominently featured. He would have handled the MTV powers the same way he handled the radio powers, and he would have hired the best video directors for his projects, maybe even securing them under exclusive contracts. Keep in mind that Casablanca was way ahead of most other labels when it came to using video and film for artist marketing and promotion.
I can also say with some certainty that Neil would have figured out how to thrive in the world of downloading. The initial industry reaction to downloading was to panic that product was being stolen and then to fight those who were stealing it tooth and nail. I think Neil would have been quick to acknowledge the inevitable growth and permanence of the downloading phenomenon, and he would have adapted to it much faster than others. I can clearly see him, being the promotion guy he was, gravitating toward things like Facebook and Twitter, making early overtures to the originator of Napster, and investing heavily in new media applications, from YouTube to Microsoft. The business model that most record companies follow today is outdated, and it has been for years. I think it’s likely that Neil would have shed that albatross to become a pioneer of the big 360 deals now being offered by companies like Live Nation to proven artists within the industry. He would have seen the Internet and downloading for what they are, just two new vehicles for getting music to the people, like vinyl, tape, and the CD were before them. As much as the landscape changes, people remain constant. Neil always believed that, and he would have believed it no matter when he lived.
Acknowledgments
First, let me thank my cowriters, Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs, for all their help in researching various aspects of this book and keeping the story accurate. They found me by accident while they were consulting on another book. I told them about the manuscript, which I had written years ago, and they were immediately interested in working with me and finding a publisher. Thanks also to Mike Edison at Backbeat Books, who realized the potential of my story about one of the most fabled record companies in history.
My thanks for help in jogging my memory about stories I had completely forgotten or did not know at the time to: Karmen Beck (a fountain of knowledge), Dick Sherman, Sherrie Levy, Nancy Lewis, Cecil Holmes, Dick Clark, Robert Klein, Gregg Giuffria, Brett Hudson, Joyce Bogart-Trabulus, Bill Aucoin, Peter Lake, Felix Robinson, Don Wasley, Ruben Rodriguez, T.J. Lambert, Barb Amesbury, Soozin Kazick, and Bill Schereck.
Thanks to Paula Manzanero for coming up with a title for this tale.
Most of all, I want to thank my partner and true soul mate for thirty-five years: Mary Candice Hill Harris (the unidentified woman). You lived through my Casablanca years, which was not always the smoothest of rides, stood by me, and believed in me and my crazy ideas. You’ve made my life richer and certainly more interesting than it would have been without you.
Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs would like to thank Steve Clark of Superior Graphix for his time and effort, Ken Sharp, and Jeff Falk. They would also like to thank Marc Scallatino for photo editing, Mary Williams for copyediting, and Joe Fields for timeline research.
Where Are They Now?
Name What’s Going On Now
Bill (Barb) Amesbury Following sexual reassignment surgery, Bill is now named Barb and is a documentary filmmaker.
Bill Aucoin Living in Florida and still dabbling in the music industry.
Long John Baldry Died July 21, 2005 of a chest infection.
Lester Bangs Died April 30, 1982 of an accidental drug interaction.
Chris Bearde Resides in Las Vegas; runs Chris Bearde’s International Comedy Hall of Fame.
Karmen Beck Worked with Bruce Bird until his death in 1994, then became president of The Album Network; now an indie producer of various functions.
Henri Belolo Still working in France as a producer.
Irv Biegel President of Sumthing Distribution; cofounder of Boardwalk with Neil Bogart.
Bruce Bird Died in 1994.
Nancy Bird Remarried and found religion.
Ira Blacker Owns and operates a commercial printing company, Printing Source; owns valuableclocks.com
Beth Bogart Married to Peter Guber’s older brother, Charlie.
Joyce Bogart-Trabulus Married to Neil’s doctor; has stewarded the Neil Bogart Foundation since Neil’s death.
Jheryl Busby Became president of Motown and made a fortune on the sale; found dead in his hot tub in Malibu in November 2008 at age fifty-nine.
Phyllis Chotin Does indie design work.
Dick Clark Suffered a stroke in late 2004; continues to host Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve annually.
George Clinton Still funkifying the world.
Alec Costandinos Produced Tina Turner’s debut solo LP; lives in Europe and reportedly writes jingles for TV spots.
Al Coury Retired and living in Oxnard, California.
Peter Criss Retired from KISS; married and living in New Jersey; pursuing a solo career.
Frankie Crocker Died October 21, 2000.
Ray D’Ariano Doing radio in Rhode Island.
Clive Davis Chief creative officer at Sony BMG; now seventy–eight years old.
Ron Delsener Sold Ron Delsener Presents to Clear Channel Communications.
Al DiNoble Doing various indie projects.
Jeff Franklin Still out there making deals.
Ace Frehley Left KISS in 2002; once again pursuing a solo career.
Ken Friedman Died of AIDS.
Gregg Giuffria Megarich, though no longer in the music business; works with gambling casinos.
Carl Glickman Philanthropist and a member of the board of directors for The Bear Stearns Companies; still resides in Cleveland.
Randee Goldman Currently works in the animal rescue field.
Merv Griffin Died of prostate cancer August 12, 2007.
Allen Grubman Became the most powerful attorney in the music business.
Peter Guber Owner of a movie production company; very, very rich from the sale of the Guber-Peters Entertainment Company to Sony.
Morgan Harris Works out of Chicago, creating marketing and PR campaigns for the film and television industries.
Christy Hill Retired and living in LA.
Cecil Holmes Worked at Columbia Records for 10 years; currently driving a limo in LA.
Jimmy Ienner Rich from some great investments.
Brian Interland Working various deals in the music industry; VP of label relations with Bus Radio.
Paul Jabara Died of complications from AIDS, September 29, 1992.
Arthur Kassel Cofounded the Beverly Hills Gun Club; married Tichi Wilkerson, who owned the Hollywood Reporter.
Soozin Kazick Retired and living in LA.
Steve Keator Died of AIDS.
Allen Klein Passed away July 4, 2009, from complications of Alzheimer’s.
Robert Klein Starred with Adam Sandler in Reign over Me in 2007; recently released a DVD titled Robert Klein: The HBO Specials 1975–2005.
Mike Klenfner Died July 14, 2009, of congestive heart failure.
Peter Lake Went on to his true love, writing; during the 1980s, testified in a murder trial against white supremacists while working undercover for a short-lived Larry Flynt news publication.
T.J. Lambert Spent sixteen years at ABC and ESPN; now chief operating officer of Radiolicious.
Mauri Lathower Retired.
Howard Marks Died in June 1990.
Curtis Mayfield Died December 26, 1999 from complications of diabetes.
Wally Meyrowitz Died in 1984, reportedly of drug-alcohol complications.
Buddy Miles Died February 26, 2008 of congestive heart failure.
Meco (Domenico) Monardo Still recording movie-based music.
Jacques Morali Died of AIDS November 15, 1991.
Giorgio Moroder Involved in musical stage productions; one of his songs was used during the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Susan Munao Owns
a management firm in California that handles Debby Boone.
Scott Muni Died at age seventy-four on September 28, 2004.
Mo Ostin Retired in 2004, when DreamWorks Records was sold.
David Puttnam Ran Columbia Pictures from 1986 to 1988; currently chairman of a London-based digital marketing agency.
Patti Quatro Living in Austin, Texas; with her husband, runs a tour business for musicians.
Russ Regan Sold his record company in 2007 to Clearvision Entertainment; became CEO as part of the acquisition.
Bob Regehr Died of cancer, September 16, 1984.
Buck Reingold At last report, living in a trailer park in Florida.
Artie Ripp Living in California.
Ruben Rodriguez The hottest R&B indie promoter in the country.
Renny Roker Founder and CEO of Teens on the Green.
Howie Rosen Owns a successful indie promotion company in California.
Steve Rubell Died of hepatitis on July 25, 1989.
Kal Rudman Still running FMQB.
Kenny Ryback In LA doing indie AAA radio.
Larry Santos Made his money singing and writing commercial jingles; retired to Las Vegas.
Ian Schrager Owns several unique upscale hotels; recently partnered with the Marriott hotel chain.
Scott Shannon Program director and morning man at WPLJ-FM in New York.
Dick Sherman Died of cancer, July 2, 2008.
Gene Simmons Still in KISS; currently executive producing the successful A&E show Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
Marc Paul Simon Died in 1989.
J. R. Smalling Founder and president of Elite Music Tours.
David Sonenberg Manages Fergie, the Black Eyed Peas, and others.
Paul Stanley Continues to front KISS; avidly pursuing a career in painting.
Casablanca Discography
What follows is a complete list of audio recordings released under the original Casablanca Records label, with nearly 300 albums by more than 140 artists between 1974 and 1985.
Catalog # Album Artist
NB 9001 KISS KISS
NB 9002 What Am I Gonna Do Gloria Scott
NB 9003 Up for the Down Stroke Parliament
NB 9004 Feel So Good Danny Cox
NB 9005 Jus’ a Taste of the Kid Bill Amesbury
NB 9006 Light of Love T.Rex
NB 9007 Rock and Roll Survivors Fanny
NB 9008 Hollywood Situation Hudson Brothers
NBLP7001 KISS KISS
NBLP7002 Up for the Down Stroke Parliament
NBLP7003 Jus’ a Taste of the Kid Bill Amesbury
NBLP7004 Hollywood Situation Hudson Brothers
NBLP7005 Light of Love T.Rex
NBLP7006 Hotter Than Hell KISS
NBLP7007 Rock and Roll Survivors Fanny
NBLP7008 Feel So Good Danny Cox
NBLP7009 One for the Road Greg Perry
NBLP7010 Harry and Tonto-OST Bill Conti
SPNB1296 Here’s Johnny: Magic Moments from “The Tonight Show” various artists
NBLP7011 You and Me Together Forever James and Bobby Purify
NBLP7012 Good to Be Alive Long John Baldry
NBLP7013 What I Was Arrested For Lenny Bruce
NBLP7014 Chocolate City Parliament
NBLP7015 Einzelgänger Einzelgänger
NBLP7016 Dressed to Kill KISS
NBLP7017 The Boy’s Doin’It Hugh Masekela
NBLP7018 Larry Santos Larry Santos
NBLP7019 More Miles per Gallon Buddy Miles
NBLP7020 Alive! Kiss
NBLP7021 Angel Angel
NBLP7022 Mothership Connection Parliament
Release date RIAA status Notes
2/8/1974 Gold Pressings from June 1974 onward contain the single “Kissin’ Time”
3/11/1974
7/10/1974 First Casablanca album to be promoted with a TV spot
3/12/1974
7/10/1974
N/A
N/A
N/A
8/13/1974
N/A Gold
N/A
N/A
N/A
10/22/1974 Gold
N/A
N/A
3/11/1975
10/2/1974
11/15/1974 Gold Issued with a large fold-out poster
2/4/1975
3/5/1975
3/5/1975
3/12/1975
March 1975
3/19/1975 Gold
6/12/1975
6/11/1975
7/18/1975
9/10/1975 Platinum Originally issued with an eight-page booklet
10/27/1975
12/15/1975 Platinum
Catalog # Album Artist
NBLP7023 Colonial Man Hugh Masekela
NBLP7024 Bicentennial Gathering of the Tribes Buddy Miles
NBLP7025 Destroyer KISS
NBLP7026 Where Is the Love Margaret Singana
NBLP7027 Thanks for the Music Giants
NBLP7028 Helluva Band Angel
NBLP7029 Cherries, Bananas and Other Fine Things Jeannie Reynolds
NBLP7030 You Are Everything I Need Larry Santos
NBLP7031 Presents the Disco Suite Symphony No. 1 in Rhythm and Excellence Frankie Crocker’s Heart and Soul Orchestra
NBLP7032 The Originals KISS
NBLP7033 Moon over Brooklyn Group With No Name
NBLP7034 The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein Parliament
NBLP7035 Welcome to Club Casablanca Long John Baldry
NBLP7036 Melody Maker Hugh Masekela
NBLP7037 Rock and Roll Over KISS
NBLP7038 Four Seasons of Love Donna Summer
NBLP7039 Just Like a Recurring Dream Meisburg and Walters
NBLP7040 Stallion Stallion
NBLP7041 Love to Love You Baby Donna Summer
NBLP7042 Get Down and Boogie various artists
NBLP7043 On Earth as It Is in Heaven Angel
NBLP7044 Cinnamon Flower Charlie Rouse Band
NBLP7045 Wildflowers 1: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions various artists
NBLP7046 Wildflowers 2: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions various artists
NBLP7047 Wildflowers 3: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions various artists
NBLP7048 Wildflowers 4: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions various artists
NBLP7049 Wildflowers 5: The New York Loft Jazz Sessions various artists
Release date RIAA status Notes
1/30/1976
2/24/1976
3/15/1976 Platinum
2/24/1976
4/21/1976 Final album issued with original blue label artwork
5/18/1976 First album issued with new tan label artwork
6/1/1976
10/1/1976
N/A
7/21/1976 Reissue of Casablanca NBLP7001, 7006, and 7016 in a combined limited edition release
9/3/1976
7/20/1976 Gold
10/1/1976
11/1/1976
11/1/1976 Platinum Originally issued with two copies of a multicut sticker
10/11/1976 Initial pressings included a 1977 calendar
12/29/1976
1/20/1977
January 1977
1/12/1977
1/24/1977 Originally issued with a poster
February 1977
March 1977
March 1977
March 1977
March 1977
March 1977
Catalog # Album Artist
NBLP7050 Frankie Crocker & The Heart and Soul Orchestra Frankie Crocker & The Heart and Soul Orchestra
NBLP7051 Delights of the Garden Last Poets with Bernard Purdie
NBLP7052 The Washington Hillbillies Washington Hillbillies
NBLP7053 Parliament Live: P. Funk Earth Tour Parliament
NBLP7054 Life Jimmy James
NBLP7055 Shut Out Paul Jabara
NBLP7056 I Remember Yesterday Donna Summer
NBLP7057 Love Gun KISS
NBLP7058 Munich Machine Munich Machine
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NBLP7059 Disco Calypso Beckett
NBLP7060 The Deep-OST John Barry
NBLP7061 Don’t Let the Music Stop Larry Santos
NBLP7062 Would You Dance to My Music Eddie Drennon and the B.B.S. Unlimited
NBLP7063 Love and Kisses Love and Kisses
NBLP7064 Village People Village People
NBLP7065 From Here to Eternity Giorgio Moroder
NBLP7066 Love Shook Pattie Brooks and the Simon Orchestra
NBLP7067 Love’s an Easy Song Meisburg and Walters
NBLP7068 A Year at the Top Greg and Paul
NBLP7069 Zodiac Lady Roberta Kelly
NBLP7070 Another Island Arthur Wayne
NBLP7071 Bobby Deerfield-OST various artists
NBLP7072 Rare Gems Odyssey Rare Gems Odyssey
NBLP7073 Daydreamer Pat Hollis
NBLP7074 Flame Thrower Wildfire
NBLP7075 One Wish Jeannie Reynolds
NBLP7076 Alive II KISS
NBLP7077 Sphinx Sphinx
Release date RIAA status Notes
7/2/1976
4/20/1977 Douglas reissue
4/27/1977 Last of the tan label issues
5/5/1977 Gold First album to be issued with the FilmWorks artwork; originally issued in a gatefold sleeve with a poster and iron-on transfer
1977
5/25/1977 Issued exclusively on red vinyl
6/1/1977 Gold
6/17/1977 Platinum Originally issued with a paper toy gun
5/17/1977
6/15/1977
6/2/1977 Issued on blue vinyl with a poster of Jacqueline Bissett
4/4/1977