There is confirmed talk that Richard Branson is looking at buying back Virgin Records from the EMI Group as part of EMI’s concessions to appease regulators on the proposed buyout of EMI by the Universal Music Group.

I expect to get a hold of Richard and some of his top people soon to see what structure the label would take on under his ownership. I can say without reservation that it can only be a good thing for music and real talent if this happens.

The massive worldwide success of Adele on a significant independent label with the guts to let her be herself shows there is a way forward for real artists to reach a large worldwide audience if the quality is there.

I spoke to Martin Mills this year months before he appeared before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on the proposed merger of EMI and Universal. Martin’s independent thinking and the protection of his artists are a large part of what let Adele happen. His statements at the Senate hearing made the most sense of anyone.

I sincerely hope that Richard is able to buy back Virgin Records and join the powerful group of independents along with people like Martin that can allow an Album like “21” to be made without constraint.

I look forward to a very strong relationship with the new Virgin Records going forward, if Richard pulls this off.

George

August 9th, 2012

It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. I met Robin in the fall of 1987 at the Berkshire Place in New York and he couldn’t have been more generous and engaging. I was quite young and quite starstruck at the time, and to get to talk music with a Bee Gee was surreal and unforgettable.

The Bee Gees were phenomenal musicians and their songs were steeped in melody, some of the greatest pop hooks of all time, and built on a foundation of arrangement that is rarely seen today. Songs played by brilliant musicians who were masters of their instruments, not the least of which were the voices of the three brothers Gibb. The build up in “Fanny” is a blueprint masterclass for arranging a pop song.

I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with Blue Weaver at the Producers Guild Awards this past February in London. Blue played keyboards on almost all the biggest worldwide hits of the Bee Gees, and was an integral part of their success for years. I told him I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to be at Criteria in the seventies making those records that would go out to the world and break so many records…..and to be working with, observing and learning from the great Arif Marden.

Put on those records people! That is the biggest tribute we could give Robin…..besides the fact that they are they are just so damn good!