Billboard, November 14, 1987

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Billboard

US music magazines

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Costello fights Apartheid in WB contract

Other artists must also take a stance

Nelson George

Early in his career, singer/songwriter Elvis Costello got involved in a nasty fight with members of Bonnie Bramlett's band over a racist remark aimed at Ray Charles. That racial slur, despite a subsequent apology, marred Costello's career.

Since then, however, Costello has shown himself to be a complex songwriter with a well-deserved reputation for being politically progressive. In recently moving from Columbia to Warner Bros., Costello had a clause inserted into his contract regarding South Africa that commands respect.

His agreement, dated July 30, states, "Warner Bros. shall not exploit or authorize the exploitation of any masters hereunder on records in the Republic of South Africa until such time as WB and artist mutually agree in writing that the apartheid system has been ended in that country and has been replaced by a political system which permits majority rule."

During the last two years, there have been calls for the record industry to divest its interests in South Africa. And, thus far, little has been done. Chances are, little will be done by the labels — which is why the action Costello has taken is so important. If each artist who claims to be concerned about the repression of the black majority in South Africa (and everyone seems to give it lip service these days) were to follow this Brit's lead, then the industry would be performing a de facto divestment.

All it takes is one performer at a time taking a stance, saying no to the sale of his recordings there, to make the kind of economic and moral statement that means something. Who'll be next?

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Billboard, November 14, 1987


Nelson George reports on EC's Warner Bros. contract.


Steve Gett's report on Paul McCartney mentions Elvis Costello.


EC, T Bone Burnett and Mitchell Froom are among the judges in Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Band contest.

Images

1987-11-14 Billboard page 27 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.


Paul McCartney


Steve Gett

1987-11-14 Billboard page 23 clipping 01.jpg

Don't be surprised to see strong interest in British import copies of Paul McCartney's greatest-hits compilation, All The Best. The U.K. version of the album will include three cuts not featured on the U.S. release, including McCartney's new Brit single, "Once Upon A Long Ago," which he co-wrote with Elvis Costello. Capitol has set a Nov. 23 release for its 17-track U.S. version of the album .



1987-11-14 Billboard page 56 advertisement.jpg
Advertisement.


1987-11-14 Billboard cover.jpg 1987-11-14 Billboard page 23.jpg 1987-11-14 Billboard page 27.jpg
Cover and page scan.

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