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Warner Music Up for Sale: No Surprise Because No Hits

Roger Friedman
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Warner Music Group, disemboweled over the last six years by Edgar Bronfman, Jr. and Lyor Cohen, is up for sale. The report comes from The New York Times’s Dealbook column.

I once asked Thomas Lee, the main investor in the new WMG, if he was happy about the way things were going. I said, “You don’t have any hits.” He replied: “We don’t need any hits.”

In the end, it turns out, you do.

It’s a sad end to the saga of Warner Music, which was sold by Time Warner to Bronfman in 2005. Instead of developing talent, the new WMG kept slashing and cutting staff positions, eliminating all the people who would make a record become a hit. They stuck with veteran Warner acts like Kid Rock, Eric Clapton, and Faith Hill rather than make any move forward. He also let Madonna and other acts leave with a lot of drama.

Recently, WMG managed to blow new album releases by Josh Groban and Linkin Park, two of their franchise acts left over from the original company. With CD and download sales at an all time low, WMG has simply run for cover ran than fight back.

According to the Times, WMG is still saying that it’s looking into buying EMI. Well, that’s ridiculous. They’ve also told Goldman Sachs to find a buyer. They may at least sell Warner Chappell Music Publishing, the only successful part of the company. A revived BMG Music Publishing would jump at the chance to buy Warner Chappell. So would Sony ATV.

During the Bronfman reign of failure, WMG really lost money. Bronfman lost $20 million on a luxury concert company. But he and Cohen lived well, using WMG as a piggy bank. Cohen cashed out stock a few years ago, made millions to fund his divorce and the purchase of a Hamptons estate.

Who wins here? For one thing, Paul Simon, who took his whole Warner catalog and left for Sony last year.

The only album on the charts bearing the Warner Records. name this week is Linkin Park at number 46 with just under 10,000 copies sold. A few other WMG albums are scattered about, but considering all the press he’s gotten Cee Lo Green–whose album should be at the top of the charts–isn’t selling at all.

Orlando Bloom Making “Hobbit” Reunion

Roger Friedman
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4

New dad Orlando Bloom is going to join the “Hobbit” reunion.

Sources say that Bloom’s people are negotating for him now to hook up with Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, and Sir Ian McKellen in the prequel to the “Lord of the Rings” series.

However, reports of Bloom getting $1 million for two minutes on screen are wrong. “The Hobbit” is going to be two movies. Many of the beloved characters from “Lord of the Rings” may appear briefly in the first film, and at length in the second one.

Sources say that director Peter Jackson is creating a kind of story “bridge” between the second “Hobbit” film and the first “Lord of the Rings” installment, so the whole billion dollar deal can play as a five part, all day, all nigt extravaganza.

Are Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler next? And what of Sean Astin? My guess is we’ll see everyone once Jackson is done.

Michael Jackson Estate Sues Over Website, Mrs. Jackson’s Book, More

Roger Friedman
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14

It’s about freaking time.

The estate of Michael Jackson, represented by Howard Weitzman, has filed suit against Howard Mann and all his pseudonyms and DBAs.

The suit is all about Mann’s alleged copyright infringement: his jacksonsecretvault website, the picture book by Katherine Jackson called “Never Can Say Goodbye,” a recently announced Michael Jackson lithograph collection, and even the release of a “new” song last fall that turned out to be a remix of the Jacksons record “Destiny.”

Mann, if you recall, bought the contents of a warehouse of Jackson family memorabilia after its owner, Henry Vaccaro, filed for bankruptcy. Mann, who runs gambling websites out of Canada, then made a deal with Katherine Jackson to exploit the contents of the website. That included publication of “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

Mann always took the position–especially in talks with this reporter–that because he owned the physical contents of the warehouse he also owned the intellectual property rights–despite the fact that both the Jackson estate and Sony probably superseded him.

Mann kept pushing the envelope, using his relationship with Katherine Jackson as a shield. But now the estate, run by John Branca, has finally responded. The lawsuit is 53 pages long and quite explicit. In other words: the party is over.

The Estate calls Mann’s actions “rampant misuse of Estate assets” that has caused “consumer confusion.” Indeed, Mann thanks the Estate on his website, which the suit says makes it seem as though they condone and endorse him.

In a way, the estate is now exhibiting a little muscle in the direction of Katherine Jackson, whom they’ve supported financially since the day Michael died. Mann has always stated–including to me–that Mrs. Jackson was in need of funds becausde the estate was shortchanging her. How Mann replies to this lawsuit will be interesting, certainly.

Sundance ’11: Franco Gets with Chrissie, Jack and Janet

Roger Friedman
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0

James Franco hits Sundance tomorrow night, but not in the usual way.

Last year, Franco was here with “Howl,” the opening night film in which he brilliantly played Alan Ginsberg.

This year he’s back with “Three’s Company,” a kind of psychedelic take on the late 70s sitcom that starred John Ritter, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt.

Franco and pals have kind of reinvented and filmed the first three episodes of ‘Three’s Company.” The resulting video will unveil tomorrow night as part of Sundance’s New Frontiers as the main element of an art installation. There’s a rumor that Richard Kline, who played the main characters’ pal Larry, will attend. A “secret” party is set to follow on Main Street in Park City, up the hill from the former Miners Hospital.

Sadly, the Ropers–the late great Norman Fell and Audra Lindley–are unavailable. But I’m told that partygoers may be asked to don wigs and other paraphernalia to recreate the “Three’s Company” vibe.

Steven and Liv: A Tale of Two Tylers

Roger Friedman
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1

Father and daughter, Steven and Liv, are having big weeks.

Last night Steven Tyler debuted on “American Idol” as a judge after 152 years as lead singer of Aerosmith. Steven is naturally funny and sarcastic; he’s going to make a great judge if he can last through the season. So far, so good. “American Idol” may give him the structure even rehab hasn’t been able to provide.

Meanwhile, here at the Sundance Film Festival, Steven’s daughter with rocker-writer Bebe Buell, Liv Tyler, is about to make her indie film debut.

Eons ago, Liv was sensational in movies like “Stealing Beauty,” “Empire Records,” “Heavy,” and “Silent Fall.” Then she got involved with the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, was financially rewarding but not so good for building a critical base.

Now Liv comes to Sundance with “The Ledge,” Matthew Chapman’s directing debut. Produced by Michael Mailer and Mark Damon, “The Ledge” has a lot of good buzz. It also has a strong cast, with Charlie Hunnam, Patrick Wilson, and Terrence Howard.

Tyler–who’s been dating Jann Wenner’s son–is also getting a Spotlight Award  this weekend from the Creative Coalition. Suddenly, after almost 15 years, she’s an overnight sensation. Isn’t that the way it goes? And Steven Tyler, famous since Gerald Ford was president, is a big hit again, too. Crazy!

Ricky Gervais, Regis Stories Lifted by Other Web Sites

Roger Friedman
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In my interview with Ricky Gervais that ran on Monday morning after the Golden Globes, Ricky told us to watch “The Office” on January 27th. He implied he would make a guest appearance as his British character David Brent, the UK influence of Michael Scott.

Of course, a new website under the Deadline Yesterday banner is counting this as their scoop today. Something about the Deadline bunch: stealing infects each new hire.

In that interview, Ricky also told us that his visit would somehow give a tip as to who might replace Michael Scott as the manager of “The Office.” Who did Ricky want? “Will Arnett,” he told me.

Deadline also lifted an entire story out of this column yesterday, about Regis Philbin not retiring from his career but simply leaving his show. This Nellie Andreeva is really a piece of work.

The Deadline steal is the second this week for Showbiz411.com. People magazine put together a lame cover story on Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s new baby. There is no interview. There are no pictures. The one nugget of info in People was divined right here also on Monday: why the baby is named Faith Margaret.

Maybe  I should just start lifting material from these other sites without credit. It’s so much easier than doing original reporting. Of course, if I stole from them, I’d be stealing from myself and who knows who else. Too confusing!

Steely Dan’s Recording Engineer Needs Our Help

Roger Friedman
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3

Roger Nichols, the genius who engineered and mixed all of the Steely Dan albums, needs our help. He’s been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The costs are draining him. He’s set up part of his website–www.rogernichols.com–to accept donations.

I don’t know if I can stress this enough–producers, engineers, and mixers are the people behind great rock and jazz albums we all consider “classic.” In Nichols’ case, this means “Aja,” the pop music high water mark of the 1970s, as well as the entire remarkable Steely Dan canon. He won Grammy Awards for “Aja” and for Steely Dan’s 2000 return, “Two Against Nature.”

Nichols also counts in discography albums by Placido Domingo and John Denver.

I am sure Nichols is in touch with MusiCares, but an illness likes this costs a staggering amount. For his sublime work on “Deacon Blues,” on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” on “Pretzel Logic,” every music fan owes him a debt. Let’s help Roger Nichols fight pancreatic cancer.

RIP Don Kirshner, Pop Music’s Brill Building Superstar

Roger Friedman
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Sad news: Don Kirshner, the man behind the Brill Building sound, died on Monday at age 76 of heart failure. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame four years ago. But the Rock Hall never did anything for him, and it broke his heart. We owe a huge debt to Kirshner, who gave us Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Ellie Greenwich, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield, The Monkees, The Archies and so much more.

Neil Sedaka sent this message: “I am shocked and saddened by the death of the great Don Kirshner, who discovered me at 18 years old. I walked into his office at 1650 Broadway, played a few songs for him, and he signed me to Aldon Music becoming my first music publisher and manager. It was Don’s introduction to Connie Francis, who would go on to record “Stupid Cupid” and propel my songwriter career. Donny worked for many years promoting my songs. He was a great friend, a pioneer, and a father figure for many of us young songwriters. He will be missed. My heart felt condolences and love to his wonderful wife of 50 years, Sheila, his children, and his grandchildren.”

Here’s the story I wrote in 2007 from the Songwriters ceremony. Donnie, we salute you.

Don Kirshner is back.

The man who invented the Brill Building and published all the hits written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, helped invent Phil Spector and the Monkees and even created music television before MTV is not in Jann Wenner’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But last night, Kirshner, 73, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for giving birth to a substantial part of what we now know as contemporary pop, rock and soul music.

It was vindication a long time in coming for Kirshner, whom Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer once parodied on the early “Saturday Night Live” with a memorable imitation. It made Kirshner a household name.

Somewhere along the way he lost his stature as the man who nurtured hundreds of hit records from “The Locomotion” to “You’ve Lost That Feeling.”

It wasn’t lost on his friends who came to support him last night, including Tony Orlando, Ron Dante and Toni Wine. The latter pair were the voices for the animated group Kirshner created called The Archies. They had the No. 1 song in 1969, “Sugar Sugar.”

Orlando, who worked for Clive Davis at Columbia Records before becoming a star in 1971 with the group Dawn — Wine wrote their first hit, “Candida” — gave a speech about Kirshner last night fit for a royal eulogy.

Carole King had to beg off because of appearances she’s making in China, but Sedaka came and sang “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” Kirshner’s first hit, from 1957.

What I loved about meeting Kirshner is that he doesn’t care anymore. He doesn’t need Jann Wenner or the Rock Hall of Fame. He is own living Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the next couple of years, there’s going to be a Broadway musical about him. A famous director is piloting the project (it’s still hush-hush, but trust me, it’s good). And entire genre of music, “the Brill Building sound,” is named for his contribution to pop culture.

Does he still have his copyrights? “I sold a lot of them a few years ago,” he told me. But don’t worry about Don. “I kept a few,” he said, with a wink.

In 1963, he sold his Aldon Music to Screen Gems for, are you ready, $2 million.

“Today it would be worth $100 million,” Kirshner said.

All of those hits, like “Up on the Roof” and “Calendar Girl,” gone. But Kirshner wasn’t finished. Within three years he had “The Monkees” on TV and selling millions of records. Many of the songwriters from Aldon supplied the music. Neil Diamond gave them “I’m a Believer,” Carole King wrote “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Don Kirshner was back in business.

In the ’70s, he brought the rock concert to TV. His droll Brooklyn accent was so hilarious as he introduced every rock act of the age that Shaffer had to do an impersonation of him. Don Kirshner became even more famous. Last night, he recalled finding Bobby Darin and Connie Francis, among others. The audience went wild. So much for the Rock Hall.

Nicole Kidman Disappears from Sandler-Aniston Trailer, Ads

Roger Friedman
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8

Have you seen the commercials and the trailer for Adam Sandler’s “Just Go With It”?

The film, due next month, stars Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, who is prominently featured in all the clips. Brooklyn Decker, a beauteous young blond, is also featured prominently.

But co-star Nicole Kidman? The Oscar winner is nowhere to be found. Not in the trailer or poster or any other materials. Yet she is listed in the cast, and did film at least a couple of scenes. You’d just never know it unless well, you knew it.

So what gives? Timing. Nicole is in the Oscar race with an important performance in “Rabbit Hole.” She’s great, and is considered a contender for Best Actress.

But “Just Go With It” could be her “Norbit” as we discussed recently. Oscar nominees don’t need terrible movies dogging them during the voting period. Natalie Portman may learn that lesson with the awful “No Strings Attached.” It’s no “Black Swan.”

Nicole isn’t the only “missing person” in a movie these days. Most people don’t realize that “True Grit” is narrated by Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, who’s supposed to be Mattie Ross’s adult voice. And James Franco makes a cameo in “The Green Hornet” with his “Pineapple Express” co-star Seth Rogen.

UPDATE: Regis Philbin Is Leaving His Show, Not Retiring

Roger Friedman
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9

UPDATE Regis Philbin announced this morning he’s leaving “Live with Regis and Kelly.” He’ll be 80 years old in August.

He is not retiring, friends tell me. Not at all. He will continue to perform live at clubs and casinos around the country. Regis will likely wind up hosting a nighttime game show like his very successful ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

This also has nothing to do with health issues. “He’s never been better,” says a source.

I am told there was some sort of negotiation with Disney and ABC. It may be that Philbin decided enough was enough after 28 years.

“I can’t imagine what’s going on at Disney and WABC,” a source observed this morning. “They’re losing Regis in the morning and Oprah in the afternoon.”

I’m told the decision to leave was “organic.” It may also have to do with Regis and Joy’s daughters living in Los Angeles. They could be contemplating a move or a lifestyle change.

Regis is one of a kind. He invented the format that’s been so successful–the host chat that takes place in the first 15 to 20 minutes of his live–not taped–show. The great charm of the host chat came from Regis’s wonderful off the cuff monologues, not jokes, but rambling stories of what he’d been up to in the 24 hours since we’d last seen him on TV. Often the anecdotes involved misadventures concerning Regis and his bw (beautiful wife) Joy, their daughters JJ and Joanna, their cats, and — in the early years of the show–Joy’s mother and sister, who were nicknamed, wickedly, The Winds of War and “Hello, let’s eat!”

I don’t want this to sound like a eulogy for Regis. He’s very much alive. I’ve been lucky to to have enjoyed a nice friendship with Regis and Joy over the years. They are true mensches, the nicest people imaginable, landmark New Yorkers who’ve enriched our lives personally and professionally. I think at 80 Regis will deserve a break; who needs to get up every morning at 7am and plug all those movies, TV shows, Broadway fare, and blatant celebrity?

Can anyone replace Regis? Not really. He’s a storyteller from another era, pre computers and Facebook. For Regis “Social networking” means going out and doing things. When he is out, he and Joy are always asking questions. They are not wallflowers. They aren’t texting anyone. They’re people who engage. ABC has tried a bunch of substitutes over the years including Howie Mandel, Anderson Cooper, and so on. None of then have Regis’s joie de vivre, his complete surprise at the world around him, and his ebullience. So let’s enjoy him for the next seven months like never before!

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