Publishing Firms Eyeing Combined Windswept/Fujipacific Buy?

Amid continuing uncertainty about the future of Los Angeles-based publisher Windswept Pacific Music (Bulletin, April 8), sources in Tokyo say that various international publishers are looking at the possibility of buying not only Windswept but also Fujipacific Music, Japan's biggest music publisher, which oversees Windswept's operations. Since none of the major international publishers has a sizable direct presence in Japan, a foreign purchase of the country's No. 1 publisher, which is part of the Fujisankei Communications Group, would be a major development. "We have received a few inquiries regarding purchasing more than Windswept," says Sebastian Mair, professional manager at Fujipacific, adding that Fujisankei "has no intention of selling Fujipacific."

EMI Group chairman Sir Colin Southgate, while in Tokyo last week, told Bulletin the option of buying all or part of Fujipacific came up during talks with Fujisankei about a Windswept purchase. "It hasn't got anywhere yet--it's very early days," he said. "But I can't see Fujisankei selling 100% [of Fujipacific]."

--Steve McClure, Tokyo


New Lloyd Webber Label Prepares First Releases

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's new U.K. indie label, It Records--part of his Really Useful Group (RUG)--will release its first single, "It's A Girl Thing" by English pop act My Life Story, on June 7. The label is finalizing one independent distribution deal for that group and new band Birdie, and another for its third signing, veteran Marianne Faithfull, who has an album due in mid-June.

The label's managing director is former EMI A&R director Tris Penna, who was named MD of RUG's record division in 1997. Other staff includes A&R manager Phil Barton, formerly in a similar role at Parlophone, and GM Tracey Connolly, formerly at EMI. Bob Stanley of U.K. act Saint Etienne is A&R consultant.

--Paul Sexton, London


U.K. TV Veteran Yeates Joins BPI

Andrew Yeates has been named director of legal affairs at the British Phonographic Industry, starting in July. He returns to the record business after 11 years in U.K. television, most recently at Channel 4; before moving into TV, he was the company lawyer at Phonographic Performance Ltd., the U.K. rights body overseeing the broadcast of recorded music. Emma Fanning will continue as the BPI's legal advisor on a part-time basis.


Pearl Jam Single To Aid Refugees

All proceeds from Pearl Jam's upcoming CD single "Last Kiss" will be donated to CARE (Co-operative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), an organization providing food, shelter, and other needs to refugees of Kosovo. The song--previously available only on vinyl, as the band's 1998 fan-club Christmas single--will hit stores in 3-4 weeks from Epic.

Meanwhile, Pearl Jam will be represented on a compilation album being assembled by Sony to benefit 4-5 charities that aid Kosovan refugees. The label and release date have not been determined. Talks are under way for participation by non-Sony acts, according to an Epic spokesperson.

--Carolyn Horwitz, N.Y.


Virgin To Launch E-Commerce Site

Virgin E-Commerce, a division of Virgin Entertainment Group, will officially launch its first Virgin Megastore Internet retail site, virginmega.com, on May 10 in the U.S. The site will list 300,000 music titles and 70,000 VHS and DVD video selections. Internet retail sites for the U.K., Europe, and Japan are expected by the end of the year.

--Eileen Fitzpatrick, L.A.


Clinton Plans To Call For Media Summit

President Clinton said in an interview Friday that he plans to call on entertainment industry leaders to be part of a summit on teen violence at the White House in the near future. The President's decision came as a reply to a request from legislators (Bulletin, April 29).

Meanwhile, top executives from BMG, Seagram, Viacom, Time Warner, and Sony have declined to participate in a Senate hearing tomorrow on the causes of teen violence, according to a spokesman from the office of Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. Jack Valenti, president/CEO of the Motion Picture Assn. of America will attend.

--Bill Holland, Washington, D.C.


Artist Developments

Brandy launches a U.S. tour June 18 in Wallingford, Conn. Epic act C-Note will open.

Natalie Merchant plays New York's Neil Simon Theatre on June 8, 9, 11, and 12. Tickets go on sale today for $50.


Indies Rykodisc, Sub Pop To Support RealJukebox

RealNetworks will announce today its new music player, RealJukebox, which supports MP3 and the company's own G2 technology (Bulletin, April 30). While no major labels have supplied RealNetworks with music for the launch, there is support from independent labels, such as Sub Pop and Rykodisc. In addition, the company has directly secured content from Columbia act the Offspring, which is offering "Beheaded," a track from a pre-Columbia album released on the act's own Nitro Records. The company also announced RealSystem MP, an open digital music distribution platform that will be supported by third-party companies that build Internet services and hardware devices.

--Brett Atwood, L.A.


Court Dismisses Claims By Spandau Ballet Members

Three former members of U.K. band Spandau Ballet have had their allegations of unpaid royalties dismissed in a court ruling. Tony Hadley, John Keeble, and Steve Norman claimed that songwriter/guitarist Gary Kemp owed them royalties estimated at several hundred thousand pounds, as a result of an alleged verbal agreement. In dismissing the claim, the judge said, "The plaintiffs have not succeeded in establishing the existence of the oral agreement." The judge also dismissed the trio's claim that Kemp and his company Reformation Publishing are not sole owners of the copyrights in the band's songs and that other members of the band are joint owners.

According to Hadley, Keeble, and Norman--each of whom now faces an estimated £100,000 ($161,000) legal bill--Kemp agreed in 1980-81 to hand over about 40% of his publishing income to the other four group members and manager Steve Dagger but has made no payments since 1988.

--Roger Pearson, London


Disctronics Buys Italian Company

Prominent U.K. optical disc replicator Disctronics has acquired independent Italian CD, tape, and vinyl manufacturer PhonoComp for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition brings Disctronics' total worldwide CD capacity to more than 350 million per year, according to the company, which has plants in the U.K., U.S., and France. PhonoComp's facility at Tribiano, outside Milan, is to be renamed Disctronics--PhonoComp. It will be upgraded, and a fulfillment division will be established.


U.S. Releases This Week

Sony Classical's score to "Star Wars: Episode 1--The Phantom Menace" is by John Williams, who wrote the music for the original film as well as "Jaws," "ET," and others. The new "Star Wars," he says, is "a revisitation of music from 20 years ago--90% of it is new; 10% comes from earlier themes that are now familiar."

Robbie Williams debuts in the U.S. with "The Ego Has Landed" (Capitol), a compendium of two British No. 1 sets. "I was very angry when I made the first album. Lyrically, I wasn't aware. I didn't think I could sing. Coming out of Take That, I had no self-esteem. On my second album, I was less angry and definitely not as twisted." First single "Millennium" bowed at No. 1 in the U.K.

"Ruff Ryders: Ryde Or Die Vol. One" (Inter-scope)--with DMX, Big Pun, Mase, Jay-Z, and others--debuts at No. 53 on Top R&B Albums ahead of street date.

Other key titles: Steve Wariner, "Two Teardrops" (Capitol); "The Cars (Deluxe Edition)" (Rhino).


A&R Veteran Mickey D Splits From WEA U.K.

U.K. R&B guru Mickey D, who has steered the careers of Mark Morrison, Shola Ama, Cleopatra, and Glamma Kid, among others, tendered his resignation Thursday as A&R director of WEA U.K. imprint Futureflex, Bulletin has learned exclusively. Mickey D, real name Michael Davis, joined WEA in 1994. A WEA spokeswoman had no comment.

--Mark Solomons, London


Construction To Start On Country Hall

Groundbreaking for the Country Music Hall of Fame will be held June 17 in Nashville. A $2 million allocation from the city allows work to begin on the $37 million Hall, which will occupy a block next to the Nashville Arena and should be complete in 2001.

--Chet Flippo, Nashville


What's On

Late-night tonight: Robbie Williams (on Letterman), Charlotte Church (Leno), Jessye Norman (Charlie Rose), Coolio (Politically Incorrect).