Japanese Music Biz Stays Stalled In First Quarter

The Japanese music market remained in the doldrums in the first quarter, according to data released by the Recording Industry Assn. of Japan (RIAJ), with foreign repertoire doing especially poorly.

Total production of prerecorded audio software by the RIAJ's 26 member companies was 119.1 million units, down 1% from the same period in 1998, for a wholesale value of ¥147.2 billion ($1.23 billion), up 3%. Production of domestic product rose 3% to 100.4 million units, for a value up 7% to ¥119.5 billion ($1 billion), as albums by Japanese recording acts such as Hikaru Utada (Virgin/Toshiba-EMI), Every Little Thing (Avex), and Ami Suzuki (SMEJ Associated Records) enjoyed strong sales.

However, foreign repertoire production fell 16% in the quarter to 18.6 million units, for a value down 12% to ¥27.7 billion ($232.4 million). Foreign music accounted for just 16% of RIAJ member companies production on a unit basis and 19% in terms of value. Domestic CD albums showed the highest growth of any major category, with production rising 24% to 58.7 million units for a value up 15% to ¥92.7 billion ($778.1 million).

--Steve McClure, Tokyo


French Labels Body SNEP Votes To Leave Victoires

French labels body SNEP has quit the territory's Victoires de la Musique awards show following a row between representatives of the music industry and musicians on the show's board (Bulletin, April 19). SNEP--which represents all the majors and the biggest indie labels in France--voted on the move at a regular board meeting Thursday. It had been concerned by what it saw as an aggressive attitude from musicians union SNAM, which criticized the Victoires for awarding Notre Dame De Paris with best concert and song in February, claiming the musical is not a French production.

"There has always been tension with SNAM, but this was the spark that ignited the crisis," SNEP general manager Herv Rony tells Bulletin. According to Rony, the decision was passed by a large majority, despite earlier attempts at mediation by indie labels body UPFI. At deadline, it was unclear whether UPFI would stay in the Victoires. The future of WEA France GM Laurence Le Ny as Victoires president is also uncertain.

--Remi Bouton, Paris


Wright Gets Added COO Duties At VEG

Virgin Entertainment Group (VEG) has named Simon Wright as COO, effective immediately. He retains his title of managing director at Virgin Megastores. Wright was formerly finance director of VEG and became Megastores MD in August 1998. The move follows the resignation last week of VEG chief executive Simon Burke, who is taking a similar post at publicly traded toy retailer Hamleys (Bulletin, May 7). VEG confirms that Burke will remain with the group until the end of July. It is understood that Wright will report to Burke until the latter's departure; neither was available for comment.

--Tom Ferguson, London


Clyde Otis Music Pacts With Universal Publishing

The Clyde Otis Music Group, whose publishing catalog includes songs associated with the writer/producer, has forged a worldwide administration deal, excluding the U.S., with Universal Music Publishing Operations. Otis wrote and produced many successes by Brook Benton, including "It's Just A Matter Of Time." Otis songs have also been recorded by Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, among others.

--Irv Lichtman, N.Y.


Heine To Exit Post At Warner/Chappell In U.K.?

Former PolyGram/Island Publishing managing director Richard Manners is expected to replace Ed Heine as managing director of Warner/Chappell U.K., sources say. Heine is thought to be stepping back from the day-to-day running of the company to focus on strategic issues. Manners, who was appointed PolyGram/Island Publishing MD in 1994, was a casualty of the Universal/PolyGram merger last year.

Executives at Warner/Chappell U.K. could not be reached.


Beggars Banquet, Liquid Audio Team

Digital music distribution company Liquid Audio Inc. has signed a non-exclusive deal with the Beggars Banquet Group, which includes Beggars Banquet, 4AD, and XL Recordings, among others. Beginning today, 1,000 songs by the Cult, the Go-Betweens, Bauhaus, Love And Rockets, Liam Howlett, the Pixies, and others can be downloaded through the various labels' Web sites and through more than 200 online sites, including the Ultimate Band List (UBL) and Atomic Pop; another 1,000 songs will eventually be added.

--Eileen Fitzpatrick, L.A.


CCTV-MTV Chinese Awards Have International Flavor

The 1999 CCTV-MTV Music Honors, presented Friday in Beijing, featured performers and winners from around the world. In a pre-recorded video, Sir Elton John presented Jackie Chan with the title of Asia's Biggest Superstar, while Ricky Martin and Celine Dion took awards for, respectively, international breakthrough artist of the year and international song of the year ("My Heart Will Go On"). Liu Huan and Na Ying were named best mainland male and female pop artists, respectively; Jackie Cheung and Faye Wong won those honors for Hong Kong, as did Emil Chou and Coco Lee for Taiwan. Karen Mok won the Greater China new-artist award, and Dadawa took the progressive music video prize.

Staging the show with the state broadcaster was something of a coup for MTV Asia, as Chinese authorities tighten security in Beijing in advance of the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests on June 4. The awards show will air later this month on CCTV, MTV Mandarin, and MTV Southeast Asia.

--Owen Hughes, Beijing


Magnet Founder Touted For U.K. Minister Post

The founder and former head of Magnet Records is being touted as a possible minister in the U.K. government. Lord Levy who, as Michael Levy, oversaw much of Chris Rea's career, is a close friend of Tony Blair. The latter rewarded that friendship with a peerage after becoming prime minister. Now, political sources suggest, Blair is considering making Levy a minister, probably at the Foreign Office, in the summer cabinet reshuffle. A source says, "Michael Levy has a proven business record, which would impress Tony. "

--Jeff Clark-Meads, London


Fillmore To Open In Denver

Denver is getting its own Fillmore, a concert hall inspired by the venerable San Francisco venue. Denver's Fillmore Auditorium, to open this month at the site of the old Mammoth Events Center, is operated by promotion firm Bill Graham Presents and managed by local promoter Chuck Morris. The venue will open with a show May 19 by Trey Anastasio of Phish, followed by dates with Vince Gill (May 20-21), Chris Isaak (22), and Blondie (25).

The late Bill Graham presented his first shows at San Francisco's Fillmore in 1965; his namesake firm took over the venue in 1994.


U.S. Releases This Week

Interest in Ricky Martin has heated up so quickly lately that C2/Columbia is rush-releasing the Latin star's eponymous English-language disc. The set includes collaborations with Robi Rosa and Desmond Child, Diane Warren, Emilio Estefan, Walter Afanasieff, and Jon Secada, plus a duet with Madonna, "Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazon)," produced by the diva with William Orbit. "Livin' La Vida Loca" is No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

Snoop Dogg's fourth solo set, "Top Dogg" (No Limit/Priority), was executive-produced by Master P.

Nineteen-year-old model Bijou Phillips, daughter of the Mamas & the Papas John Phillips, debuts with the Jerry Harrison-produced "I'd Rather Eat Glass" (Almo). Phillips plays select Lilith Fair dates this summer.

Other key titles: OST, "Felicity" (Hollywood); Mulberry Lane, "Run Your Own Race" (Refuge/MCA); Atari Teenage Riot, "60 Second Wipe Out" (Digital Hardcore/Elektra); Jack Logan, "Buzz Me In" (Capricorn).


Wynette Widower Dropped From Suit

George Richey, widower of the late Tammy Wynette, has been dropped from a $50 million wrongful-death lawsuit filed against him and the singer's physician by Wynette's daughters. Dr. Wallis Marsh remains a defendant. Results of an autopsy recently performed on Wynette's body are pending in Nashville.

--Chet Flippo, Nashville


New Crue Drummer

Motley Crue has named former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Randy Castillo to play on its summer tour, replacing Tommy Lee, who has quit the band (Bulletin, April 30). The 40-city amphitheater outing kicks off June 29 in Washington, D.C.


DMX, Limp Bizkit, Filter On Family Tour

Limp Bizkit, DMX, and Filter will be among the acts performing at this year's Family Values Tour. The tour is expected to play U.S. arenas beginning in September.

--Carla Hay, N.Y.


Whats On

Snoop Dogg visits Politically Incorrect tonight.