Fed Up With EMI? (Shadows At The BBC)

[Arpeggio]

Fed up with EMI? I am. The saga of the Shadows' BBC recordings, viz an actual offiical release of this material has now been dragging on for almost 15 years. So....I think that Shadows' fans are entitled to feel disgruntled. In a nutshell - the whole project (when very close to an actual release) fell through when the BBC reneged on a deal struck with Bernie Andrews to use much of the unique BBC Drifters / Shadows material (their own archives having been regrettably 'wiped') dating from 1959 - 1962. Having been made aware of its existence EMI decided (& they have told me this themselves in no uncertain terms several times down the years) that they would not be interested in any release using just the material actually still remaining in the BBC archives spanning 1963 - 1974. Please note that point again....EMI are not interested in such a release as they perceive it to be not financially worth their while. Meanwhile - the BBC remain totally intransigent in their position re: 'The Bernie Andrews Tapes' (now owned by John Beecher at RollerCoaster).

I have tried many, many times down the years to persuade both the BBC and EMI to go ahead with the project (most notably in recent times during the Shadows 'Reformation' 2004 -2005 and the Cliff & The Shadows Reunion 2009 - 2010). You know the result. The BBC wouldn't authorise the use of the 1959 - 1962 material (which wasn't in their possession anyway) and EMI repeated once again that a release of just the 1963 - 1974 BBC material was as good as worthless in their opinion! So.....just recently (especially considering EMI's views about the Shadows' 1963 - 1974 BBC material being 'worthless' as a CD release) - I have been working with John Reed at RPM. RPM were very keen to issue The Shadows At The BBC 1963 - 1974. Very keen. A detailed and sensible 'pitch' (by this stage I left it to the experts at RPM) was made to both the BBC and EMI. The BBC were perfectly happy to go ahead. Not EMI though. Oh no. Because the Shads were EMI artists (even though they haven't been since 1980!!!!) at the time when they recorded for the BBC....they have to be approached about this project and they have to agree to it.

Well...EMI have BLOCKED it by refusing permission. Apparently (even though they have stated that a release of the 1963 - 1974 BBC material was of absolutely no interest to them and 'worthless') - if there is to be a release of The Shadows At The BBC...then....(wait for it!!!!!)....EMI will do it. WHEN??? I ask myself. There hasn't exactly been much progress in the last DECADE or so has there?? So they, having declared that they have no interest in simply releasing a CD of the Shadows' BBC material 1963 - 1974, EMI have STOPPED RPM from going ahead in releasing a CD in which they have no interest. Well, I'm sorry...but, personally, I think that EMI's decision STINKS.

Rob

[David Martin]

Incredibly short sighted and very bad for their reputation... I'll link to this on Twitter and see what happens...

[Stratpicker]

Maybe EMI have long memories and they still hold a grudge for The Shadows going off to Polydor.
Just a thought.
cheers
ian

[Arpeggio]

EMI's 'suits', 'experts' and 'marketing strategists' genuinely seem to believe that such a CD would not shift many units. However, I am genuinely puzzled that, if they don't see any point in releasing a CD themselves which they feel would be financially 'worthless', they aren't willing to let RPM release such a CD. EMI themselves would be guaranteed some percentage themselves without having to take any financial risks whatsoever. But....presumaably it's still not 'worth their while' financially. So....they just veto the RPM deal and themselves.....do absolutely nothing. Financially gaining....absolutely nothing. Their argument is ridiculously tautological. Naturally, they don't need to make any kind of response. If any were forthcoming it would undoubtedly be mealy - mouthed, self - serving and they would easily justify their actions. Fans will just be fobbed off yet again. If THEY WANTED TO - EMI could put together The Shadows At The BBC 1963 - 1974 ANYTIME they felt like it. ANYTIME. So....if they won't let RPM do it...they WHY DON'T THEY DO IT THEMSELVES??????? NOW!! Quite frankly (whilst not wishing to tempt fate) by the time they do (if ever) then I shall probably be dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

[David Martin]

Maybe EMI have long memories and they still hold a grudge for The Shadows going off to Polydor.
Just a thought.
cheers
ian

Didn't they do that because EMI refused to renew their contract on terms similar to those for other bands at that time?

[GoldenStreet]

There can very few, if any, people now employed by EMI who were there back in 1980. Presumably, the younger generation of current staff are that further removed from the classic Shadows era and have no sense of enlightenment or the imagination to promote that aspect of the company's history. Maybe the association with Cliff, who also had his more recent issues with EMI, is an influence in the prevailing attitude.

Bill

[Didier]

Maybe EMI have long memories and they still hold a grudge for The Shadows going off to Polydor.
Just a thought.
cheers
ian

Didn't they do that because EMI refused to renew their contract on terms similar to those for other bands at that time?

According to what's written in Bruce's book, it was the case.
The contract between the Shadows and EMI ended in 1980. To renew it, the Shadows asked to get rights on their back catalogue, which was granted for some other artists. But EMI refused, so they moved to Polydor.

Didier

[Didier]

If THEY WANTED TO - EMI could put together The Shadows At The BBC 1963 - 1974 ANYTIME they felt like it. ANYTIME. So....if they won't let RPM do it...they WHY DON'T THEY DO IT THEMSELVES??????? NOW!!

Difficult to understand such an illogical move...

[JimN]

The contract between the Shadows and EMI ended in 1980. To renew it, the Shadows asked to get rights on their back catalogue, which was granted for some other artists. But EMI refused, so they moved to Polydor.
Didier

I think that's a misunderstanding, Didier. Even the Beatles didn't get that after they started Apple, though EMI voluntarily accorded (and continue to accord) some consideration to the surviving Beatles and to George Martin (who certainly never had any personal rights over Beatles material).

What the Shadows wanted was a tape-lease deal, which would have meant that they made their own records and licensed them to EMI for release. Lots of famous 1960s acts actually did that, meaning that EMI retained no rights beyond the end of the licensing agreement and would have had to re-negotiate an extension. Examples tape-lease deals in the sixties: The Yardbirds (never directly signed to EMI) and the Dave Clark Five (ditto). Of course, The Shads were able to get the deal they wanted from Polydor, but if they had been able to get agreement from EMI, it would not have applied to their previously-recorded material. Well, not unless EMI had been feeling unwontedly philanthropic and suicidal.

JN

[drakula63]

I agree.

The situation is farcical to say the very least. It would sell enough copies to recover its costs and, as I see it, it's not going to cost EMI anything anyway!

A terrible shame.

(P.S. if I may make a shameless plug. I am co-presenting Saturday Morning on, er, Saturday morning at www.trentsound.com - I WILL be playing a Shadows tune this week. Tune in at about 10 o'clock if you are interested. I shall also plug this forum and one or two other things!!)

CD.