EC quits Warners Bros.
Music Central on-line magazine, 1997-04-13 in
Totally Live News column


Elvis Costello Exits Warner Bros.

We don't know how she does it, and we don't want to say that Rhoda
Penmark has bugged some of the offices of the record execs around
town, but she must have had a fly planted firmly on the wall of
Warner Bros. president Stephen Baker recently.  How else would she
have known that Elvis Costello stormed into Baker's office and
"quit"? Okay, maybe there wasn't a fly - since Elvis and Baker were
discussing his future at such high decibels it was hard not to hear.
We understand that Baker tried to persuade the artiste to stay, but
Costello was having none of it.
TLN told you previously that Costello has been disgruntled about his
recent career trajectory - remember last year when he was telling
any interviewer who'd listen that he was hanging up his touring
shoes, and threatening to retire - but it appears that the only
thing he's retiring is his relationship with Warner Bros. Records.
A source close to Costello told TLN that Elvis was packing his bags
and will exit the label as soon as his contract has been fulfilled
and will head to different pastures at Richard Branson's V2 -
where, ironically, Costello's former longtime manager, Jake
Riviera, has an imprint. Look for one final album from Costello on
Warner Bros. - predictably a greatest-hits package with a few new
tracks.