Latest news with #WarnerMusicGroup
6 days ago
- Entertainment
'Buckingham Nicks' was a record store holy grail for decades. It's finally getting reissued
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- They were in love once. Four years before Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' became one of the best breakup records of the 1970s — and, many might say, all time — Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were relative unknowns, a young couple putting out their own album, posing nude on the cover like a Laurel Canyon version of Adam and Eve. Released as 'Buckingham Nicks,' the 1973 album has for decades maintained somewhat of a holy grail status in the dusty bins of record stores, selling for $20 to $90 depending on its condition. Now, in addition to new vinyl, it will be available on streaming and CD for the first time when it's reissued Sept. 19 on Rhino, Warner Music Group announced Wednesday. 'It's one of those records that everybody has heard of but not that many people have actually heard,' said Brian Mansfield, a music historian, journalist and record collector in Nashville, Tennessee. 'Especially before everything got put onto YouTube, very few people had heard it because it had never been on CD. But it had this iconic cover that everybody recognized.' 'Buckingham Nicks' featured the duo's iconic harmonies and Buckingham's distinct guitar sound, which later fueled Fleetwood Mac's ability to sell tens of millions of records. But 'Buckingham Nicks' bombed upon release and Polydor dropped them from the label, prompting Nicks' return to waitressing and Buckingham to briefly tour with Don Everly. The rest of the story is enshrined in lore: Drummer Mick Fleetwood heard 'Frozen Love' from the album when he visited the studio where it was recorded, Sound City. After guitarist Bob Welch left the band, Fleetwood invited Buckingham to Fleetwood Mac, with Buckingham insisting Nicks join too. The band also included the late Christine McVie on keyboards and John McVie on bass. Generations of avid Fleetwood Mac fans have tattooed their lyrics or analyzed them at a forensic level, enshrining the tumultuous relationship between Buckingham and Nicks in pop culture. The upcoming reissue of 'Buckingham Nicks' is a reminder of the couple's musical beginnings and the special status their only joint album has held among fans and record collectors. 'As soon as we put it out, it goes that day,' said Michael Bell, owner of Hunky Dory Records, which has locations in Raleigh, Durham and Cary, North Carolina. Nicks and Buckingham met during high school at a local church in Northern California where young musicians gathered on a school night, according to Stephen Davis' 'Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks.' Buckingham played the Mamas & the Papas' 'California Dreamin'" on piano, prompting Nicks to chime in, singing Michelle Phillips' high harmony. 'They glanced at each other; she noticed his eyes, cold blue like lake ice," Davis wrote. "They sang the whole song while the room went quiet, everyone mesmerized.' After high school, Nicks joined the band Buckingham was in, Fritz, which would open for Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. They eventually split off as a duo, started dating and moved to Los Angeles. Nicks said she loved Buckingham before he was a millionaire, according to Davis' book, and 'washed his jeans and embroidered stupid moons and stars on the bottom of them.' The first track on 'Buckingham Nicks,' 'Crying in the Night," has 'a sense of Joni Mitchell fronting the Eagles,' Davis wrote. 'Frozen Love' closed out side two, with 'layers of strings and synthesizers and a major Lindsey Buckingham rock guitar symphony." 'No one seemed to like the record,' Davis wrote. 'Polydor executives hadn't even wanted to release it." A review that ran in The Pittsburgh Press said Nicks and Buckingham produced "a pleasant, albeit a whiny vocal blend on some pretty fair songs.' 'And if you don't like the record,' the review concluded, 'you might like the costumes they're wearing on the cover — a couple of those oh-so-chic birthday suits.' Interest in the record only grew following the new Fleetwood Mac lineup. That incarnation's first record in 1975, 'Fleetwood Mac,' contained the songs 'Landslide,' 'Rhiannon' and 'Monday Morning.' 'Rumours' came two years later. Bob Fuchs, retail manager of record store Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, said the shop gets in about two to four of the original vinyl a year. Those go on on its collectible wall that showcases hard-to-find titles. Depending on its condition, the album sells for between $40 to $90, he said. 'You put it up on a Saturday morning and it's gone by Saturday at noon. So it lasts about two hours,' he said. Fuchs never bought the album himself because, 'every time I came in, it was $60 or $80. ... So I'll probably end up picking up a reissue.' Across the river at the St. Paul, Minnesota, location of Cheapo Discs, though, worker Geoff Good said people rarely came in looking for the original. He does expect the reissue to juice sales. He has the original, which he bought in 1974 or 1975, in his own collection. 'The songwriting is really good, the harmonies are good, Lindsey Buckingham is an amazing guitar player,' he said. Mansfield, the Nashville historian, randomly found a copy two weeks ago in a neighborhood garage sale, just days prior to hints that a reissue was coming. He has no idea why 'Buckingham Nicks' hasn't been reissued more considering the steady demand. For him, it's a good album but not one that reached the heights of what was to come. 'It's definitely not there yet,' he said. 'I don't know that there's anything on this album that would have made a Fleetwood album.' The romantic relationship between Buckingham and Nicks would end around the making of 'Rumours.' Nicks and Buckingham would shoot eye daggers at each other onstage in packed stadiums, while Buckingham would roll his eyes during Nicks' MusiCares speech in 2018, according to the Los Angeles Times. Buckingham would eventually be kicked off the band's tour in 2018 , prompting a lawsuit that was later settled. But this month, Buckingham and Nicks seemed to be operating in perfect symmetry — at least on Instagram. Each posted half a line from 'Frozen Love,' — with Nicks writing "And if you go forward…' and Buckingham responding, 'I'll meet you there.' On Wednesday, they shared the same video of a billboard being put up to advertise the reissue of 'Buckingham Nicks.' They may have made the album more than 50 years ago, Buckingham said in announcing its reissue, 'but it stands up in a way you hope it would, by these two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Buckingham Nicks' was a record store holy grail for decades. It's finally getting reissued
Warner Music Group has announced that it's reissuing the lone album recorded by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham when they were just a duo, prior to joining Fleetwood Mac. Copies of the record have been sought-after collector's items. (AP video/Kristin M. Hall)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cat Kreidich Stepping Down as President of ADA, Warner Music's Independent Distribution Company
Cat Kreidich, who has been president of Warner Music's distribution company ADA for the past four years, is stepping down from her post, the company announced on Tuesday. In the course of her tenure, she has secured deals with the Three Six Zero and Rostrum labels; signed artists including Paris Hilton, Banks and first-ever distro deals for Kesha and Flume; expanded the company's presence worldwide, via Sua Musica (Brazil), Qanawat and Rotana (in the Middle East) and Africori (in Africa); and brought in a largely female staff. She was an honoree at Variety's Power of Women New York celebration in 2023. More from Variety Warner Music and Bain Capital Announce $1.2 Billion Joint Venture to Invest in Music Catalogs Warner Music Posts Tough Quarterly Earnings, Revenue Down 1% Warner Music Group Teams With Anjula Acharia on South Asian Music Label Kreidich was previously at senior VP at Sony Music's catalog division and the Orchard, along with roles at Ultra Records, EMI Music and Warner Music Group's marketing division. Below are Kreidich and WMG CEO Robert Kyncl's notes to the staff on the transition. To the ADA Team, I wanted you to hear this news directly from me: After four transformative years proving that Warner Music Group and ADA can truly be the best home for independent artists and labels, I have made the decision to leave the company. While organizational change is a constant in our industry, I believe the foundation we've established will continue to serve independent artists effectively. We built an exceptional global team and expanded our global release volume, revitalized our brand identity, and developed a digital platform specifically designed for independent artists and labels within the Warner supply chain. We made strategic acquisitions like RSDL, which Warner will go on to use to help fuel their entire recorded music business. This journey represents my second chapter with ADA. My first began during the early years of digital transformation, when I transitioned from a music tech startup. Having completed one of the first of its kind 'New Media' degrees at Emerson College, I was drawn to the possibilities of digital disruption and the independent music scene. When I came across ADA in the '00s, it was supporting breaking independent acts at an unprecedented scale, pioneering new approaches while music was being democratized globally through emerging digital platforms like iTunes, eMusic, and mobile entertainment. When I returned four years ago as an executive from The Orchard and Sony, I brought a vision to recapture that pioneering spirit and transform ADA to better compete in an increasingly crowded landscape of innovative music technology companies. We didn't aspire to be the biggest distribution company, but rather the most valuable—valuable to our artist and label partners by offering expert guidance and measurable results, and valuable to Warner Music Group by helping build its ecosystem and reputation for supporting independent artists. We believed that Warner Music Group and ADA were better together, each strengthening the other's capabilities and reach, and I think we've proven that out. As the company begins its next chapter, WMG is committed to continuing to expand the depth and range of ADA's services. To the ADA labels and artists who keep the heart of this industry beating: thank you for your dedication, creativity, and passion. I've been inspired by your relentless drive and your vision. You champion creativity, and prove that independence doesn't mean going it alone—it means doing it your way. You are shaping the future of music, and I remain passionate about the independent music community and will continue to champion its growing importance. While I'm not ready to announce my next chapter, I look forward to sharing those plans when appropriate — it will be consistent with the work I have been grateful to do for the last 20 years as an indie advocate. With gratitude and appreciation, CAT *** Hi everyone, As some of you will have just heard from Cat, after four years leading ADA, she has made the decision to leave WMG. You can read her note below. Cat is a class act. A bold thinker and decisive leader, she's always focused on what's best for the indie community – its artists, its labels, and its spirit. Under her leadership, ADA has grown its relationships across the creative ecosystem, expanded its global reach, and strengthened its team and tech. She's helped guide us through some major shifts, staying agile, and delivering results. We'll give an update on ADA leadership this week. For now, a huge thank you to Cat for helping set us up for success. We wish her all the best. Thanks, Robert Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ADA President Cat Kreidich Leaving Warner Music
Cat Kreidich, president of Warner Music Group's music distribution arm ADA, is leaving the company, she confirmed in an internal memo to staff on Tuesday. Kreidich leaves after four years at the helm at ADA. WMG hasn't provided any details on Kreidich's successor. In a note to staff, WMG CEO Robert Kyncl said the company would have an update on ADA's leadership this week. In Kreidich's memo, reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter, she said that 'while I'm not ready to announce my next chapter, I look forward to sharing those plans when appropriate.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Universal Music Group Increasing Efforts on Music AI Patents 'Dolly: A True Original Musical' Preview Shows Are Now Playing in Nashville: Where to Get Sold-Out Tickets Online Mariah Carey Confirms Release Date For 16th Album 'Here For it All' 'While organizational change is a constant in our industry, I believe the foundation we've established will continue to serve independent artists effectively,' Kreidich wrote in her memo. 'We built an exceptional global team and expanded our global release volume, revitalized our brand identity, and developed a digital platform specifically designed for independent artists and labels within the Warner supply chain. We made strategic acquisitions like RSDL, which Warner will go on to use to help fuel their entire recorded music business.' Prior to ADA, Kreidich was an executive at The Orchard, Sony Music Group's distribution arm. During her tenure as ADA president, she'd closed distribution deals with Three Six Zero Recordings and Rostrum Records, as well as Kesha's famed distribution deal as the pop star decided to go independent. 'When I returned four years ago as an executive from The Orchard and Sony, I brought a vision to recapture that pioneering spirit and transform ADA to better compete in an increasingly crowded landscape of innovative music technology companies,' Kreidich wrote Tuesday. 'We didn't aspire to be the biggest distribution company, but rather the most valuable — valuable to our artist and label partners by offering expert guidance and measurable results, and valuable to Warner Music Group by helping build its ecosystem and reputation for supporting independent artists.' Kreidich's departure comes as distribution companies have become an area of increased attention across the industry. Back in December, Universal Music Group's Virgin Music Group announced a deal to acquire Downtown Music Group Holdings, the parent company to music distributors FUGA and CD Baby. (That deal is currently facing regulatory scrutiny from EU authorities, Reuters reported.) Concord, meanwhile, closed on a deal for indie distributor Stem back in March. Kreidich's departure is just the latest notable shift at WMG; earlier this month, Kyncl had announced a $300 million cost-saving initiative which included a $170 million cut through headcount reduction. 'Cat is a class act,' Kyncl wrote in his note Tuesday. 'A bold thinker and decisive leader, she's always focused on what's best for the indie community – its artists, its labels, and its spirit. Under her leadership, ADA has grown its relationships across the creative ecosystem, expanded its global reach, and strengthened its team and tech. She's helped guide us through some major shifts, staying agile, and delivering results.' Read Kreidich's memo below: To the ADA Team, I wanted you to hear this news directly from me: After four transformative years proving that Warner Music Group and ADA can truly be the best home for independent artists and labels, I have made the decision to leave the company. While organizational change is a constant in our industry, I believe the foundation we've established will continue to serve independent artists effectively. We built an exceptional global team and expanded our global release volume, revitalized our brand identity, and developed a digital platform specifically designed for independent artists and labels within the Warner supply chain. We made strategic acquisitions like RSDL, which Warner will go on to use to help fuel their entire recorded music business. This journey represents my second chapter with ADA. My first began during the early years of digital transformation, when I transitioned from a music tech startup. Having completed one of the first of its kind 'New Media' degrees at Emerson College, I was drawn to the possibilities of digital disruption and the independent music scene. When I came across ADA in the '00s, it was supporting breaking independent acts at an unprecedented scale, pioneering new approaches while music was being democratized globally through emerging digital platforms like iTunes, eMusic, and mobile entertainment. When I returned four years ago as an executive from The Orchard and Sony, I brought a vision to recapture that pioneering spirit and transform ADA to better compete in an increasingly crowded landscape of innovative music technology companies. We didn't aspire to be the biggest distribution company, but rather the most valuable—valuable to our artist and label partners by offering expert guidance and measurable results, and valuable to Warner Music Group by helping build its ecosystem and reputation for supporting independent artists. We believed that Warner Music Group and ADA were better together, each strengthening the other's capabilities and reach, and I think we've proven that out. As the company begins its next chapter, WMG is committed to continuing to expand the depth and range of ADA's services. To the ADA labels and artists who keep the heart of this industry beating: thank you for your dedication, creativity, and passion. I've been inspired by your relentless drive and your vision. You champion creativity, and prove that independence doesn't mean going it alone—it means doing it your way. You are shaping the future of music, and I remain passionate about the independent music community and will continue to champion its growing importance. While I'm not ready to announce my next chapter, I look forward to sharing those plans when appropriate — it will be consistent with the work I have been grateful to do for the last 20 years as an indie advocate. With gratitude and appreciation, CAT Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Eight Things We've Learned About Hollywood This Year
Good evening from New York City. I just left a women's basketball game and am now enjoying some Lebanese food with a side of ice cream. We've announced the initial speakers for the third annual Screentime conference. They include the CEOs of Netflix and Warner Music Group, the head of Instagram, music mogul Irving Azoff and real estate tycoon Rick Caruso. We'll also hear from Willow Bay, the new owner of Angel City FC, and Uday Shankar, head of the biggest media company in India. And we'll have a live taping of The Town with Matt Belloni.
