http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/global/article4397761.ece

Rolling Stones to leave EMI for Universal

Sir Mick Jagger is expected to lead The Rolling Stones away from Guy Hands’ EMI later today, ending a long association with the British record company.

The band is expected to sign up with Universal Music, and the deal is all the more valuable because the Stones will control all their releases since the 1970s, including Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street and Black and Blue.

Sir Mick’s decision — on the eve of his 65th birthday — follows a bidding war between all the big record labels, and is a blow to Mr Hands who failed personally to persuade him to stay.

Mr Hands acquired EMI last year for £2.1 billion through Terra Firma, the UK private equity house.


However, Sir Mick wanted to court rivals in pursuit of a higher price.

The Vivendi-owned music group also controls the Stones’ 1960s output in the UK, released through the Decca label, and the deal will unify the band’s total recorded collection. In the US, that catalogue is controlled by ABKCO Music.

EMI has suffered several prominent artist defections, including the departure of Radiohead last year, just as Mr Hands took over the company.

Damon Albarn, the key man behind Blur and Gorillaz, is taking his Chinese opera, Monkey and the West, away from the label, which has been interpreted as a sign of his dissatisfaction with it.

Time to bust a move.

Entire body covered in goosebumps.

Thanks Meg. Great news for a Fryday.



LJ.

Record a new Album!



I mean...Open the Vaults!!

Spread your Legs and dust off that old vault!!!

If this is confirmed I think its a strong indication further activity either live or in the studio is in the cards!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7525887.stm


Stones ditching EMI for Universal
Mick Jagger
The Stones' lead singer, Mick Jagger, is turning 65 on Saturday

The Rolling Stones have signed an "exclusive, long-term, worldwide" record deal with music giant Universal, the record company has announced.

The contract covers future albums by the veteran rockers as well as their extensive back catalogue.

Their previous deal with EMI ended in March after more than 30 years.

The Stones, fronted by Mick Jagger, had already released a live CD in March - recorded in New York in 2006 - with Universal in a one-album deal.

The band said in a statement: "Universal are forward thinking, creative and hands-on music people.

"We really look forward to working with them."

'Seminal musicians'

New recordings will be released through Universal's Polydor label.

Universal said it was also planning "an unprecedented, long-term campaign to reposition the Rolling Stones' entire catalogue for the digital age".

The Stones have followed the lead of long-time contemporary Sir Paul McCartney, as well as Radiohead, in leaving EMI.

Sir Paul subsequently branded the label "boring", adding its handling of his music was "symbolic of the treadmill".

     
There is no question that the Rolling Stones are one of the most important bands in music history
Doug Morris
Chief executive, Universal

Universal, whose artists include Sir Elton John and the Scissor Sisters, said the band were "seminal musicians who have set the bar for all rock bands in their paths".

Chief executive Doug Morris said: "There is no question that the Rolling Stones are one of the most important bands in music history.

"Their musical style and off-stage swagger have been emulated by countless others."

The Stones, renowned for their extensive tours, were the highest-earning musical act in the world between June 2006 and June 2007. They made $88m (£44m), according to US business publication Forbes.

Last week, a spokesman for guitarist Ronnie Wood confirmed the 61-year-old was "seeking help" with his battle with alcohol in a British rehabilitation centre.

Ten Thousand Motels wrote on Jul 25^th, 2008 at 10:35am:


Their families will do just fine off the tickets I've shelled out for and the umpteen remasters of the same cds.Jagger will never spend the time to dust the vaults. Some one years from now will have to do that.Me?

How much is in the vaults that we haven't heard?  Why not start making lists For Their Consideration, beginning with the stuff we don't all have?

Universal said it was also planning "an unprecedented, long-term campaign to reposition the Rolling Stones' entire catalogue for the digital age".

OK..  Maybe I am dense or something, but does this really equate with "opening the vaults"?

Or is this more wishful thinking on our parts?!!!

Repositioning?   Sounds like some new remaster  format. Blu Ray Stones? They'll put a lot of spin on this but in the end without a strong new album theres more sizzle then steak.This announcement however is much better than hearing they re-upped with EMI for 12 months etc.

"that shower of losers"! Great post. I too reserve judgment (for once!!!) until further things are announced. BTW I'm black, er, I'm back!

Don't forget to bring yer lube!

Good news, thank god EMI is gone.

"Mr. Gorbechev - TEAR OPEN THESE VAULTS!"

"Four score and twenty years ago, we opened the vaults!"

"And on the 7th day, God rested and opened vaults and cracked a stiffY!"

I'l interpret what Universal mean by re-positioning the catalogue. It will be what the Doors have done. Re-master (again!), re-package (again!) and include some little extra goodies here and there. IE: Extra tracks, different versions etc.

The Doors have re-released their catalogue quite a few times. First it was originally when cd came out (and was dreadful!) Then, a few years ago in 24bit-96khz remasters, then only last year with yet another remixes, but this time with extra versions and even film clips! IE: 2-3 versions of Break on through, alternate version of Moonlight mile plus live or original promo clips.

This is just one way for the Stones to go!

How cool would it be to have, for example, Beggar's with a longer version of Sympathy? Maybe even one of the alternate versions. How about LIB with Brian Jones percussion mixed back in?? How about a REAL version of "Ya-ya's" with Satisfaction, Gimme Shelter and the full rambler??? How about Tattoo You with the Reggae version of Start me up?

Forget new music. Who the hell wants it? A killer cd of never heard of songs would be unreal! Heard in all their sonic glory. Remixed and not in crappy mp3. Lots of liner notes and who played what and all sorts of history snippets.

What about everything re-mixed into 5.1?

But what we'll get will probably be just the same old shit re-hashed with a "collectable" sticker or something.

EMI could have done better.But that cover was a poor marketing choice.Get the red tongue out front so people browsing might take a peak.ABB was lost on the shelves.

GAZZA WROTE:

"The lack of sales of their last album considering the fact that the Stones spent two years after its release touring to millions of people. 

They promoted Mick's solo work very badly as well. They've really gone downhill as a label in recent years, as evidenced by the shredding of so many artists from their label in recent months."

_____________________________

Yeah, your right. EMI didn't do much at all last time out. Now, do you think this is because of advertising dollars they did not want to spend on an album that would most likely only sell between 3-5 million copies (I believe it ended up selling 3 million world wide).  3 million copies may seem like a lot. However, for a real major act it is only considered "fair". For a band with The Stones name it is on the low side (even for them).

*Do you think EMI simply did not want to spend tons on advertising and marketing when ultimately they knew it would not sell like crazy? This is my guess.

also: It will be neat to get a fresh start with a new lable. Now, will The Stones choose a new producer with this next album? My guess is they just "might" (although I think Was has done wonderful with them). They may feel a need to change it up and try a new direction. Not so much musically (but some-what musically) and over all to try a new approach.

They may feel they may be treading old water with Don Was and need something fresh (again, regardless of what happens from here on out I think Don Was did super with them)?

Or they could feel that they have such a good fit with him and they worked so well with him it would be too much a risk to try someone new or simply may not want to?

What is your opinion folks? Not based on what you'd like The Stones to do, but what you think they may do, or what may be in the cards for them next time out recording wise?

Ian

Ian Billen wrote on Jul 26^th, 2008 at 12:13am:




And, all of this, with or without Ronnie? I can't help but wonder how he will figure in all of this....

If he gets out of rehab, and hooks up with the girl again {his DRINKING BUDDY}, I fear it will be "all over now"....