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Chris Blackwell on Independent Labels and the Challenges of Artist Development
Chris Blackwell
Chris Blackwell is the founder of Island Records and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in music-industry history. From relatively humble beginnings in an office in Jamaica, Blackwell grew Island into an international force, finally selling the label to A&M records in 1989. Along the way, Blackwell and Island were responsible for changing the face of pop music repeatedly. Bob Marley was an Island discovery, and the label was the driver of reggae’s rise to a global cultural phenomenon. The label was also home to U2 from 1980-1997, and shepherded them from their Dublin pub beginnings to the apex of their stardom. Under Blackwell’s long tenure, Island became known as a haven for creative and quirky artists, releasing landmark albums from artists as diverse as Traffic, Tom Waits, Fairport Convention, Robert Palmer, The Pogues, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Anthrax. Blackwell now heads a new venture, Palm Pictures, which is a film, music and new-media company that focuses on world and electronic music, independent film, and internet-delivered content. |
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Description: Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, discusses the tendency of major labels to maximize income at the expense of artist development, and shares his thoughts on what independent labels can do to help develop and break the talent on their roster.
Shoot Date: Mar-05 |
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