Chapter 30: businessmen.
Jerry Wexler walked with utmost passivity through the corridors of Atlantic Records, leaning on his cane. The ravages of age prevented him from walking smoothly, and the most striking problem was the sharp pain in his knee on cold mornings. But that didn't stop him from going for a walk occasionally. He climbed the old stairs with luxurious slowness, hoping that Atlantic Records would have the courage to give young Carson a chance.
One of the secrets of music is speculation, akin to a betting contract. Music relies on scouting talents that may not necessarily succeed. In a statistic where a thousand people attempt to thrive in the music world, only a hundred make it to music labels, and only ten pass the filter to release an album, which might end up in chaos. Only two out of hundreds of artists may get published and supported by the label. Out of the numerous artists, only a few can succeed, and one out of fifty artists may achieve success. One of the most intriguing perspectives of the scene is that to succeed, a delightful combination of strength, talent, and publicity is needed. This combination may or may not be multiplied by the factor of luck, a factor present in all things that could be considered the last breath of hope when there isn't enough strength, talent, or publicity.
The high steps were a torment, but he preferred them to the slow pace of the elevator, imagining a long, profound life of work that was so long and ambiguous that he forgot the years he spent working and grinding all the time like a day laborer, from the incredible Blues to the personifications of Jazz, the king of rock, the masters of rock, the roots of country, and the emerging personalities of stimulating bands.
Now he had a new late-blooming prospect who could have lived in the 80s and been a great rocker, but it's known that rock is a quick transition of events, and among those events, the most important is how the future unfolds. Rock is dying, but many people said it would stay alive. But now, personalities are gravitating towards pop, rap, and somewhat rock, but ballads never cease to be famous regardless of the era, and singers with certain characteristics are a high point among people, like a distinctive vocal color, good lyrics in their songs, and charisma.
He firmly believed that his new guy had all the wonders of being one of the greatest artists of the time. He had it all: strength, talent, and luck. Why luck? It was simple. His flight was delayed, and destiny led him to follow Peter Wolf to the university to talk with a friend about past times; this friend asked them if they wanted to create a music sensation, which they reluctantly accepted. It was destiny! At least there are ten coincidences that if they only happened correctly, wouldn't be present in this problem.
How he didn't return his rented car and waited to be taken to his lodging, how they were delayed for an hour more due to the accident, which led to many other annoying yet perfect coincidences, the boy was the opportunity the agents were looking for. Agents with a keen eye, of course.
He opened the door; the illuminated atmosphere always bothered him, but in old age, even more so. He used his hand to support himself, discontentedly.
-Good morning, sir, how can I assist you? - the young man asked.
He hated being treated like an old man, but that's what he was; his hair was woolly, and he only had a few left on his head. Foolishly, he thought he was twenty-five again; he couldn't find old age, but he couldn't do what he used to do when he was young.
-I have an appointment with someone named Ahmet Ertegun, - Jerry said.
-Um... the president is not here, - the boy said.
-I'm sure he's in. Just ask, - Jerry said.
-I will, - the boy said.
-I hope so, young man, - the old man said, settling carefully on the front sofa. It had been a long time since he had been here; it had been a long time since his time lost its enthusiasm for getting up early and enduring the pains that music production entails. Artists tear themselves apart with their concerts, with their consumption, but beyond that, those around them also share in that burden.
-How harmful, - the old man murmured with his cane.
-Excuse me, Mr. Jerry, you can go in; the president is waiting for you, - the young man said.
He walked slowly through the familiar labyrinth, calmly, without disturbing the slow pace that characterized his journey. He passed some small offices and saw the production studios in the distance. He stopped; he wouldn't like to be under this label, too contaminated, he thought. He walked without giving himself much time; he had an exit, and this was the main exit, navigating through familiar waters.
He opened the door, paying no mind to who might be inside; after all, old age spares one from certain things that a younger person would pay attention to, like the time of day, or avoiding misunderstandings since they are unnecessary.
-You're so old, it surprises me, - said Ahmet Ertegun, maintaining a strength that only deepened with age, very different from his youth. When you run, you can either damage yourself or feed yourself. Lose yourself, or renew your vigor. Ahmet had a vigor in his demeanor that was uncommon in men his age.
-We are, my dear friend, it's something I still don't understand. Why do you keep working? - said Jerry.
-Habit. If I retire, the next day they'll bury me, - Ahmet joked. - Working is good for me, and if I keep working, I just need to make an effort to carry on with the day's duties, rinse, and repeat, a quick process that works to avoid the decline of old age. You can roam around, - Ahmet commented.
-Well, not long ago, my heart started beating again. I didn't retire because of fatigue; I retired because of heartache, a heartache that kept me from being between the walls; I came to hate it, - Ahmet said, tapping his cane with evident weariness and annoyance in his heart.
-I understand. Josh Robert has an appointment with you in less than 20 minutes, something I still doubt why a music producer would schedule a business meeting, - Ahmet explained.
-It's an old man's trickery. But it's just testing the business waters again. The hatred faded in the following years, and now only a new spark remains, one that I'd like to nurture. I think that if he is educated and allowed to grow, it will be different, a well... one of the best, - Jerry said.
-I always thought that for a reporter, you weren't very talkative. Age made you more talkative; it's a group, - questioned the president of Atlantic Records.
-A soloist, but a group of his own is coming. He's been singing and playing for three months. The story alone would make us millions of dollars, but it's not worth it. At my age, money no longer seems important, - Jerry said, nodding, settling into his chair, contrary to the large armchair his companion had.
-How's the family been? - Ahmet asked.
-Living their lives. Everyone lives their life. Time doesn't stop for anyone, - Jerry said.
-Why not leave them another two million dollars in the bank, - Ahmet interjected, adjusting his frame glasses.
-They don't need it. You used to say, teach a man to fish, and he'll stop asking for fish, - Jerry said.
-So, do you want a contract for your new promise? We will never reject the shelter of our dear Jerry Wrexler at our doors. Although I must say that for such a gamble, we need a 360 contract for 15 years, - Ahmet said calmly.
Jerry sighed; at other times, he would have signed at the first opportunity. Now he hoped that Peter Wolf's unexpected visit could help him in the negotiation field. Sinking a 14-year-old, poor, uneducated young man was not something he wanted to do at his age.
Jerry adjusted his glasses, just as he did when he was about to use his wit. - My old friend, this one is special. Another contract with fewer restrictions would be ideal, although I don't dismiss that the 360 is a standard contract, you know it's a robbery. Something more reasonable, one of those you give to jewels fought for by other labels, - Jerry said.
Previously, artists before releasing a record toured all the bars, cafes, and places where they were allowed to perform music. There, they pursued independent stages. The good singers even toured, with the weight of the flesh, and tried their luck. Popularity came or didn't come, and that's when the record labels appeared. All contracts signed with competition had better benefits, except for some that were persuaded with empty promises.
-Now you intrigue me even more, - said Ahmet, knowing that Atlantic Records wasn't his friend's only option, and now he was depriving himself of taking a big chunk, a big chunk of revenue.
Peter Wolf smiled, knowing that Ahmet had been negotiating since the moment he arrived at the office, pure and simple. Everything was in favor of negotiation; he tested the waters in the greeting and continued with indirect questions that gave him negotiation aspects.
-I'm not very poetic with words, - said Jerry.
-I haven't cared for poetry since I married my wife, - Ahmet smiled.
Both sighed, one with the intrigue of making money, but for Jerry, it was a game. How much could he steal from Atlantic Records, he would look for some other interesting labels that he knew would give his kid a boost.
-He has it all, sings, composes, plays instruments, has charisma, and luck. He's a lucky boy, I don't deny it, he's got spark, - Jerry said.
-Jerry makes it sound like he's a choirboy. He's a damn musician from head to toe. When you see the kid sing, you'll say, we're facing the next music legend. He comes with such force that you'd be an idiot to let him go. I'll dance on the grave of anyone who rejects him, - Peter Wolf said.
-What are you talking about? - Ahmet asked, feigning offense by the words, a basic tactic, one of those tactics he only used with people who were open and strong with their words.
-Haha, if you don't sign, the kid will make his way. He doesn't need a record; let him sing in front of a thousand people. Men will cry, and women will scream. This kid can create a fever, a fever that will take a few more or less years. He's really good, - Peter Wolf said. There was no doubt he had fallen under Billy's musical spell; the superstar system has the power to touch the emotions of those who hear him sing live.
-But we're a company, we can't lose money, - Ahmet said.
-Then sign it, - Peter Wolf said aggressively, his words coming fast. - You'll only lose money if you don't sign. The kid is a troublemaker, sure to be well-received by the public. But if we guide him well, he won't be a fallen promise. What would have happened if you had given such love to Kurt Cobain? His songs were sensational to all the kids who listened to him. This kid has a charisma similar to Kurt's, - Peter Wolf said.
-You guys are real bastards. You've cornered me into a deal entirely in your favor, - Ahmet said, raising his hands.
-You have the scoop. Do you doubt our musical judgment? - Jerry commented as if both had rehearsed the conversation before stepping into the office.
-Alright, we'll make the best contract. A 360 for 5 years, with the right to extend on a basic contract. The phonographic rights belong to Atlantic Records and are joined under the Warner label exclusively, - Ahmet said.
-360 for 8 years, transfer of phonographic rights for eight years, union under the Warner label exclusively, and creative freedom is allowed. Don't worry; I'll be behind the entire music process and a specialized advisor, - Jerry said.
-10 years, with the right to extend, - Ahmet countered.
-Only for musical matters. If the kid has sponsorships from other brands, you won't meddle. The contract will be reviewed by my lawyer, - Jerry said.
-Three national tours and three international tours, all under Atlantic Records, - Ahmet said.
-10% of ticket sales and 5% royalty, - Jerry said.
-8%. -
-10%, and no conventions, - Jerry said.
-10% on national tours, 8% on international tours, artist pays for expenses, - Ahmet said.
-Extra-curricular expenses; he'll be guaranteed hotel, lodging, and security. He'll be a star, - Jerry said indignantly.
-Interference clause, - Ahmet said.
-Only if he commits a first-degree felony, and from the moment he commits the crime, you can't touch the already received income, - Jerry said, knowing all the clauses of a contract; he had proposed some himself.
-You make me uncomfortable, Jerry. You make me very uncomfortable, - Ahmet said, shaking his head over the contract.
-The difference lies between an artist who comes with a music mogul at his back and another old dog who comes to defend. The recording property is under Atlantic Records. We'll use the services; I propose payment for advertising, - Ahmet said.
-There's payment, but only for the recording; you can keep the master, - Jerry countered.
-Alright, let the lawyers handle the rest, - Ahmet said, jotting down all the details in the contract draft. The problem is the production costs and the early termination clauses of the contract.
-Now I'd like to discuss what genre, recording promises, and artistic matters, - Ahmet said.
-Well, I'll be the producer; the genre is Rock, but it has artistic veins in other directions, like rap, pop, and indie, and you can see it doesn't lose a rock essence even when rapping. We'll only talk about album songs; royalties shouldn't go below 18%. You have distribution, marketing, and administrative duties; they shouldn't go below 28%, - Jerry said.
-15%, Jerry, - Ahmet said.
-24%. -
Ahmet paused to think about the value. -22%. -
-I agree. Knowing how the business works, the artist needs an advance, but once I hear the song, I'll give a price, - Ahmet said.
The three old men rose calmly. A 360 contract, without absolute rights assignment, only for eight years, however, once the contract is signed, even Billy's image will be part of the Warner group.
The 28% is the music business; on the expense discount, the other rights like image, brand sponsorships, TV hosting, and movies, will be under agent assumption, and he won't lose much money, something Jerry knows is one of the things that bothers restless young people.
-You'll listen; now, hands with Robert, - Jerry said.
Elsewhere in the country, Billy was sent to Arizona. Who would believe that a common boy would now have the opportunity to sign a multimillion-dollar contract, which would give him, above all, the freedom he so desired?
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