Starbucks signs Paul McCartney to new record label - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-22-2007, 10:31 AM

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp. said on Wednesday former Beatle Paul McCartney would be the first musician to release an album on the coffee shop chain's new Hear Music record label.

The announcement was made by Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz at the company's annual meeting in Seattle.

McCartney, 64, appeared at the meeting via satellite from London, and said his move reflected the challenges facing the ailing record business as acts look for innovative ways to sell CDs in the face of competition from Internet piracy and rival forms of entertainment, like videogames

In the United States, overall album sales so far this year are down almost 17 percent from last year at 99.2 million units, according to tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan. CDs are increasingly being seen as mere marketing tools for more-lucrative endeavors such as touring and merchandising.

McCartney is a popular live act -- his 2002 tour was the top draw in North America with ticket sales of $103 million -- but veteran artists rarely see such success translate into album sales.

His most recent album, the Grammy-nominated "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," has sold a modest 533,000 units in the United States since its 2005 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

McCartney, who is going through a bitter divorce from wife Heather Mills, said he was aiming to release the as-yet-untitled album in early June.

Starbucks does not disclose how much money it makes from CD sales, but has said the business is profitable. Schultz did not forecast how many McCartney CDs the new label expects to sell.

Starbucks formed the Hear Music record label earlier this month to develop records and sell them in its coffee shops and through music retailers.

The Seattle company's influence as a music retail outlet has grown due to success with albums by Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and others that have been sold in its stores.

Apart from a brief stint at Columbia Records in the early 1980s, McCartney spent his entire career at EMI Group Plc. The British company distributes the Beatles catalog, including the song "Strawberry Fields," through a partnership with the Beatles' Apple Corps. McCartney licensed his solo work to EMI through his lucrative music publishing concern MPL Communications.

AKA · 03-22-2007, 11:19 AM

When he went to Columbia Records, he brought his entire back catalog with him and reissued all his albums with them. In fact, Columbia was the first label in the States to release a Paul McCartney album to CD.

I wonder if Concord will remaster and reissue Paul's back catalogue. Since he owns all his albums, it's a definite possibility. It all depends on how long his albums are current licensed to Capitol.

A lot of people consider this a "sell-out" move, but I say good for Paul. The record industry is going to hell in a handbasket, and EMI hasn't been good to the former Beatles for quite some time. I hope he finds greener pastures with his new venture.

Penny Lane · 03-22-2007, 11:52 AM

Yay Paul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eltonfan80 · 03-22-2007, 11:57 AM

cool i love paul

TJL · 03-22-2007, 01:08 PM

And may Haether Mills see Paul's face every time she stops into Starbucks for a latte.

03-22-2007, 10:31 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Starbucks signs Paul McCartney to new record label SEATTLE (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp. said on Wednesday former Beatle Paul McCartney would be the first musician to release an album on the coffee shop chain's new Hear Music record label. The announcement was made by Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz at the company's annual meeting in Seattle. McCartney, 64, appeared at the meeting via satellite from London, and said his move reflected the challenges facing the ailing record business as acts look for innovative ways to sell CDs in the face of competition from Internet piracy and rival forms of entertainment, like videogames In the United States, overall album sales so far this year are down almost 17 percent from last year at 99.2 million units, according to tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan. CDs are increasingly being seen as mere marketing tools for more-lucrative endeavors such as touring and merchandising. McCartney is a popular live act -- his 2002 tour was the top draw in North America with ticket sales of $103 million -- but veteran artists rarely see such success translate into album sales. His most recent album, the Grammy-nominated "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," has sold a modest 533,000 units in the United States since its 2005 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. McCartney, who is going through a bitter divorce from wife Heather Mills, said he was aiming to release the as-yet-untitled album in early June. Starbucks does not disclose how much money it makes from CD sales, but has said the business is profitable. Schultz did not forecast how many McCartney CDs the new label expects to sell. Starbucks formed the Hear Music record label earlier this month to develop records and sell them in its coffee shops and through music retailers. The Seattle company's influence as a music retail outlet has grown due to success with albums by Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and others that have been sold in its stores. Apart from a brief stint at Columbia Records in the early 1980s, McCartney spent his entire career at EMI Group Plc. The British company distributes the Beatles catalog, including the song "Strawberry Fields," through a partnership with the Beatles' Apple Corps. McCartney licensed his solo work to EMI through his lucrative music publishing concern MPL Communications.
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03-22-2007, 11:52 AM	#3
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Yay Paul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

03-22-2007, 11:57 AM	#4
eltonfan80 RIP MJ I'LL MISS YOU FOREVER Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 11, 2005 Location: in a cloud above the sky Posts: 847	cool i love paul
	__________________ michael jackson 8-29-58- forever rip

03-22-2007, 01:08 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	And may Haether Mills see Paul's face every time she stops into Starbucks for a latte.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-22-2007, 11:19 AM	#2
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	When he went to Columbia Records, he brought his entire back catalog with him and reissued all his albums with them. In fact, Columbia was the first label in the States to release a Paul McCartney album to CD. I wonder if Concord will remaster and reissue Paul's back catalogue. Since he owns all his albums, it's a definite possibility. It all depends on how long his albums are current licensed to Capitol. A lot of people consider this a "sell-out" move, but I say good for Paul. The record industry is going to hell in a handbasket, and EMI hasn't been good to the former Beatles for quite some time. I hope he finds greener pastures with his new venture.