Artists & Music

Scorpions Haven't Lost Their Sting

Hard-Rock Anthem Leads Off Mercury Set
BY LARRY FLICK years is a key element in promoting mark worldwide, and was certified
"Face The Heat." The band launched platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA. But
NEW YORK -There is an important the project by making a concert ap- retailers view "Face The Heat" as a
message tucked inside "Face The pearance during September's Concrete worthy contender. "Kids have been
Heat," the Scorpions' 16th album: Top Foundation metal marathon in Los coming in and asking for the album
40 success has not softened the endur- Angeles. It was the first step in what from the day `Alien Nation' started
ing heavy metal band. likely will be a two -year world tour. getting radio play," says Neil Carter,
In fact, the group purposely chose "There's so much competition out manager of Rock Matters in Cleveland.
the guitar- dominated, hard rock an- there -so much good music-that you "There's a whole lot of interest in this
them "Alien Nation" as the Mercury have to continually prove to the world album. It should do very well."
set's first single to prove that point. that you still belong there," says Generating active sales was not the
"It would be a terrible mistake for us Meine. "This is still a band of today, only item on the Scorpions' agenda.
to suddenly start pandering to pop ra- not a nostalgic trip. We still have a lot Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, the set
dio just because we've had a big hit," to achieve." was intended to bring the band back to
says lead singer/lyricist Klaus Meine, That is a pretty tall order, since the rough'n'ready days of "Blackout,"
referring to the band's 1991 smash sales of the band's 1990 collection, a 1982 classic from its discography,
power ballad, "Wind Of Change." 'We "Crazy World," topped the 7 million while exploring unchartered musical River Of Sellouts. Billy Joel, right, meets with, from left, promoters Larry
enjoy having great success, but we and lyrical territory. "Ship Of Fools" Vaughn and Don Law and Cumberland County Civic Center GM Steve
can't let the kids who follow us think and "Unholy Alliance" are politically Rosenblatt during rehearsals for his "River Of Dreams" tour. The Columbia
that we're mellowing or selling out." charged diatribes, while the sprawling artist kicked off the tour in September at the Portland, Maine, facility, after a
Apparently, the 21-year -old German and provocative "Woman" kicks with a week of rehearsals at the building.
band is having its proverbial cake and (Continued on page 23)
eating it, too. Not only has "Alien Na-
tion" met with raves at album rock for-
mats, but it also is winning fans at top
40.
"People are really anticipating the
new album," says Steve Young, pro-
Retrospective Spins A Tangled Webb;
gram director at album rocker KISW
in Seattle, where the single is getting
roughly three plays a day. 'We're not
The Neil And Neil Show; Switching Labels
sure that this is the strongest cut on
the album, but it's real solid. They have SCORPIONS: Ralph Rieckermann,
WI BB WEAVING: A small but appreciative audience Sweet Sixteen," with Diamond joking at the conclusion
a good, strong base here; the kids just Rudolf Schenker, Herman Rarebell,
turned out for an evening of music by Jimmy Webb and that the two boys from the Bronx could be "the Jewish
love them." and Matthias Jabs. Standing in rear is
friends in honor of "Suspending Disbelief," the song- Everly Brothers." The party included a live broadcast to
Connecting with the kids who have Klaus Meine.
writer's first album in 10 years, which was released last between 80 and 100 news/talk radio stations, which picked
supported the Scorpions through the month by Elektra. Webb, playing keyboards, performed up several of the songs. Perhaps that explained the two
tunes from the new album, while artists such as Nanci huge teleprompter screens hanging in the back of the
Griffith, Glen Campbell, David Crosby, Michael Fein- room, which scrolled everything from the song lyrics to the
stein, Johnny Maestro, and Art Garfunkel performed fa- remarks that preceded the presentation to Diamond of a
mous Webb tunes. On a packed stage, Webb made use of plaque honoring Diamond for selling more than 40 million
Astley Commits `Body & Soul' both an orchestra and an electric band: while the orchestra
tended to add graceful embellish-
records during his 20 -year tenure on Columbia. Or perhaps
the screens were just there so that
ments, the band bombastically over- the audience could sing along, kar-
To Developing His AC Base whelmed Crosby on "Too Young To
Die" (which appears on both Crosby
aoke- style, with Diamond.

BY BRIAN Q. NEWCOMB was not up to the level of success to and Webb's current albums) and CH -CH- CHANGES: The Violent
which Astley had grown accustomed. generally bulldozed through the ma- Femmes, who are represented by a
ST. LOUIS -When Rick Astley broke "Basically, we only had one hit single terial, obliterating any nuances be- just -released compilation on Slash/
away from the Stock Aitken Waterman from it. The previous two albums had tween the lyrics and the melodies. Reprise, have signed to Elektra
production team that had shaped his been known for the more uptempo Although he still visibly strained Records. The band is producing its
early RCA hits-including the chart - stuff. I think I was more of a singles to reach some notes, Webb's voice first project for the new label, which
toppers "Never Gonna Give You Up" artist than I was an album artist, re- has grown stronger and richer over by Melinda Newman will be out in March or April. In the
and "Together Forever " -to
make his ally. I understand why, to some, it was the years, sounding appropriately meantime, the band is on tour to
third album, "Free," he took a calcu- a bit of a flop, but from my point of road -weary on such tunes as the support the Slash release, "Add It
lated risk. view, I was pleased that we had actu- nostalgic "Sandy Cove" or sardonic on "What Does A Up: The Story Of Violent Femmes," with new drummer
"It was nowhere near as successful ally made a record that I was really Woman See In A Man." However, given the fact that Webb (and former BoDean) Guy Hoffman in tow ... Joan Jett
as the first two, from a sales point of happy with. It was like a new starting was singing largely unfamiliar material, there was no way & the Blackhearts have signed with Warner Bros. The
view," says Astley. Although the 1991 block for me." he could top performers with stronger voices doing beloved band's first release for the label will come out in March
album sold more than 1 million copies The progress made by that album Webb classics. And he wisely didn't try, instead concen- ... The Smithereens, who formerly were on Capitol, have
worldwide, according to the label, it helped set up his new release, "Body trating on playing the good host and graciously acquiesc- signed with RCA Records.
Soul," coming Oct. 19 from RCA. ing to his talented guests. The evening's highlight was a
Where the aptly titled "Free" found -et by Webb's most noted song interpreter, Campbell, who GIRL TALK: After launching "The Girlie Show" tour at
Astley jumping from style to style, performed a note -perfect version of "Galveston "-a song Wembley Stadium, Madonna arrived at the stroke of mid-
night at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts for a
Astley sounds more centered and con- he insists he had to wrest from Don Ho-and a smoothly
sistent on his fourth album, co-produ- delivered "Wichita Lineman." He gets extra points for tac- packed postshow bash. Record execs including Warner
ced with Gary Stevenson. Lead single kling Webb's mini rock opera, "MacArthur Park," on Bros. chairman Mo Ostin, Sire president Seymour Stein,
"Hopelessly" has vaulted into the top which he was able to show off his perhaps -forgotten guitar - and Warner Music U.K. chairman Rob Dickins shared
40, and is in the top 10 on Billboard's playing prowess. Also noteworthy was Garfunkel's trun- her presence with Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, actress
Hot Adult Contemporary chart. cated rendition of the beautiful "All I Know," with his gos- Rosie O'Donnell, Sophie B. Hawkins, Boy George, and
The one -time dance artist/teen samer voice soaring over Webb's muted piano playing. fellow stadium -status star George Michael.
idol -whose name Nick Lowe once Garfunkel also performed "Skywriter," a Webb composi-
rhymed with "ghastly" -has developed tion he has recorded for his Oct. 26 release on Columbia SHORT TAKES: Although U2's "Zooropa" tour isn't
grown -up appeal. Chris Hensley, Records. slated for the U.S., PolyGram Diversified Entertain-
RCA's senior director of artist devel-
ment is presenting a Nov. 27 pay-per -view broadcast of the
KEEPING WITH THE songwriter theme, we left the band's performance in Australia. Portions of the band's
opment, says Astley was ready to
Webb concert for Columbia's fete celebrating the Sept. 28 Zoo TV tour were presented on a Fox TV special last year
break new ground. As a result of "Cry
release of Neil Diamond's "Up On The Roof: Songs From ... ZZ Top's RCA debut will be out Jan. 18 ... Nils
Lof-
For Help," the one radio hit from gren named band leader for comedian Paula
"Free," the label made the decision to The Brill Building" at Sony Studios. Backed by Paul has been
target adult contemporary and pop, he Shaffer and band, Diamond showcased songs from the Poundstone's show, which debuts later this month.
adds. "Our base is obviously AC be- new album, including "Up On The Roof' and "River Deep,
Mountain High." The highlight was a duet between Dia- Assistance in preparing this
column was provided by
cause of the success of `Cry For Help.' Thom Duffy in London.
It clued us in to the fact that this new mond and Neil Sedaka on Sedaka's "Happy Birthday .

RICK ASTLEY (Continued on page 21)

BILLBOARD OCTOBER 9. 1993
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