Clear Channels Statement to Rock Stations: ‘Only Play Tracks That People Know’
Posted October 31, 2007 — in Music News
Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays (pictured) said that the radio industry must embrace new methods of reaching listeners and yet the The No. 1 album is not being played on any radio stations….
According to Fox’s Roger Friedman Clear Channel has sent an edict to its classic rock stations not to play tracks from Bruce Springsteens “Magic.” But it’s OK to play old Springsteen tracks such as “Dancing in the Dark,” “Born to Run” and “Born in the USA.”
Just no new songs by Springsteen, even though it’s likely many radio listeners already own the album and would like to hear it mixed in with the junk offered on radio.
Why? One theory, says a longtime rock insider, “is that the audience knows those songs. Of course, they’ll never know these songs if no one plays them.”
“Magic,” has sold more than 500,000 copies since its release on Oct. 2 and likely will hit the million mark. That’s not a small achievement these days, and one that should be embraced by Clear Channel.
The Bottom Line: I couldn’t agree more with Roger Friedman in that Clear Channel has done more to destroy the music business than downloading over the last 10 years. Although the calender year is 2007, we have to many people living in the DARK AGES. If the Clear Channel Motto is ‘Only Play Tracks That People Know’ then its obvious why radio listenership is declining at a fast pace. Whats more ironic is that these out of touch execs are great at running companies into brick walls.
The Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays said that the radio industry must embrace new methods of reaching listeners and populating new forms of media with its content if it hopes to compete in the widening world of consumer media.
New Methods to reach listeners? and proclaiming to rock station to only play tracks that people know? Mark Ways statements are nothing more than a dog and pony show.
Hah. I was thinking about this on my way home from band practice today. Our fans listen to classic rock radio. 97.1 The River is the only station I EVER listen to. We’re out in “no man’s land” sounding like a classic rock band but writing new music. There’s nowhere for us on radio.
Then again, Led Zeppelin never had radio play. Or Metallica. Or Iron Maiden. I guess you just have to be really damn good. And tour your ass off.
It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock & roll. Maybe that’s the way it SHOULD be.
Comment by Jon Cole — October 31, 2007 @ 9:46 am
It’s official. Radio is no longer interested in breaking new music. If I want to hear a bunch of songs that I already know… i’ll listen to my iPod.
Damn.. these guys are real idiots. Hopefully Clear Channel will lose so many listeners that they’ll have to sell off their radio division to someone who actually gets it.
Comment by cartel — October 31, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Well said Jon. I guess it’s not very rock of anyone to feel we have a right on the radio. I really couldn’t agree with you more.
Beau
Comment by Beau Bretz — October 31, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Then again, Led Zeppelin never had radio play. Or Metallica. Or Iron Maiden. I guess you just have to be really damn good. And tour your ass off.
Jon, er…huh.. in Chicago we had WLS 890 50,000 watt am radio playing Zeppelin in the 60’s along with WCFL am 1000 .Metallica was being played in Chicago in the 80’s on WMET fm and WVVX fm along also with Iron Maiden and we also had the first satilitte radio in Chicago on 106.7 that just played all of the metal bands of the day. dude…get XM radio to hell with fm radio.i’ve read that Springsteen and the Rolling Stones would complain about NOT getting air time when they would release new records.
Comment by larry anderson — October 31, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Radio reacted to the success of Led Zeppelin, Metallica, & Iron Maiden. And only as much as they had to. Radio didn’t break them. That was my point, Larry.
Comment by Jon Cole — October 31, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Radio is at shameful state.Even the few great artists that exist clear channel isn’t interested in promoting. what is the logic of refusing to play a #1 album in america?
Comment by tina — October 31, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
What real artist wants to be sandwiched between britney spears and gwen stephanie on clear channel radio?
Not cool to me! This would tarnish an image like no other.
Comment by lilly — October 31, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Radio has become completely urbanized anyway. I haven’t turned on the radio in 3 years. I love the new springsteen record.
Comment by tom — October 31, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Radio spins humping tracks. The beatzz. How can I listen to humping music all day?
I need a break from the night of the roxbury.
Comment by janet — October 31, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
All we hear here is Pearl Jam, Led Z, Metallica, and Foo fighters 30 times a day.
Comment by realmad — October 31, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Well I’m sure their thinking is that most of the people that bought the Springsteen record did so without hearing it. And what percentage of those people listen to radio that plays new music? (You could argue they don’t listen because it sucks, though, not because they’re not open to new music.)
Comment by Keith Freund — October 31, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
FYI: Led Zep had lots of Radio Airplay!!
Comment by Michael Barile — November 5, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
New York: WNEW 102.7 WPLJ 95.5
Both New York Rock stations played the SHIT Out of LED ZEP!! The WHO, YES, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers,Black Sabbath & Deep Purple!!
Stop Lying to Yourselfs!! (touring your ass off was created by huge record sales in those days which created huge demands to see those bands!!
In those Days thats all there was!! Radio was the only
Way to Break a Band!! There was no internet!! And you never bought an album without hearing it first on RADIO! And if you where already a fan, RADIO would tell you when the New Album came out!! (maybe a friend, but they just heard it in on the Radio before you!)It was the only way those bands ( with one exception Pink Floyd) Sold Millions of albums and Concert Tickets!! Like I’ve been saying more Misguided
Artistic Concepts: Although the members of Led Zep had been either session musicians, or in other “pretty popular bands (Page had a brief stint with the Yardbirds) Their real brake came when ARMET ERTIGAN
hear a Tape and Signed them to ATLANTIC!!
Comment by Michael Barile — November 5, 2007 @ 1:13 pm