Re: I am Spock!

[John Hughes <john@pureneasy.fsnet.co.uk>]

Lela, re

> > Somehow on this list, being at all critical of anyone in the band
> > or even anyone working for the band, e.g. Astley or Curbishley, is 
> > frowned upon.
>
>   Actually, we pick on Pete a lot--well, sometimes Roger and John.  
>   But we hardly ever pick on the support crew.  Why do you feel that 
>   would be productive?

Because they probably have more control than ever we realise over who
Pete/Rog/John see, hear from, read of, than ever we realise.

Go back to basic rock school stuff, and ask "What is a manager for"?

His job is to insulate the band from all the pressures outside of the
music. That's what it says in the job spec, anyway:-) 

If the manager does his job right, the band get to make the right
decisions (right of course being in their opinion); if he does his job
badly, no matter the best of intentions, the band can never make the
right decision.

So, imagine one summer's day in Trinifold:

BC: hmm, Pete, you want John Astley to re mix and generally oversee the
reissue programme?

Pete: Yeah, he's my brother in law and I trust him and he needs a gig.

BC: (thinking his 10% might be in danger if he disagrees with our
notoriously volatile hero)

Okay, why not!

later that same day...

BP: Bill, what about that review of John Astley's work which said as a
producer, he should stick to listening to how others do it?

BC: Bob, I know, but there's my 10% to consider......
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I'm sure nothing of the sort actually took place, but when managers
can't, won't don't or are afraid to tell the artist that an artist's
decision isn't always the best one, then you get artistes making wrong
decisions.

Look at Bill Curbishley. He gets a cut from the Who, and from
Page/Plant. Apart from the fact that Page/Plant means he'll never have
to lift a finger in his his life again, he's stopped thinking and
working full time for the Who. 

This means he deserves criticism if appropriate.

Cheers,

John