Recording, Distribution Pact by Reprise, Bizarre
By Record World
Mo Ostin, General Manager of Reprise Records' and Herb Cohen, General Manager of Bizarre, Inc., announced jointly that an exclusive recording and distribution agreement has been concluded between the two. Reprise will control worldwide distribution for all product on the Bizarre label. Bizarre was recently formed by Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen.
The agreement, effective immediately, brings to Reprise Records not only Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, but also other talents currently under the production wing of Bizarre. These include Wild Man Fischer and Sandie Hurvitz, with others still to be recorded.
Ostin termed it a milestone in the history of Reprise. "The Mothers of Invention have already proved themselves, both artistically and commerically," stated Ostin. "In the future, as so-called 'underground acts' increasingly dominate the sales picture, Frank Zappa and all the Bizarre acts can be in the forefront of record sales."
"To date," stated Ostin, "the Mothers of Invention have sold a minimum of 250,000 units for each album release. This has been accomplished with virtually no airplay or 'above ground' activity."
First release under the agreement is slated for next week, when a double-record album containing the last recorded performance of Lenny Bruce will be issued. The album, liner notes by Ralph Gleason, is entitled "Berkeley Concert." It is the only complete recording of a Bruce concert available on records.
The first Mothers of Invention album to be released on Bizarre-Reprise is scheduled for February.
Under the umbrella of Bizarre, Inc., Herb Cohen serves as head of the management division. The parent company will hold personal management contracts with many of the artists signed to Bizarre.
Other members of the Bizarre staff include Neil Reshen, who functions as Business Manager; Joe Gannon, formerly with A&M Records, the record wing's General Manager who will work in the areas of management, concert promotion and television and motion picture production. Grant Gibbs will serve as Director of Marketing; Calvin Schenkel, Art Director.
Cohen said: "The key to this deal is the fact that Frank Zappa, founder of the Mothers of Invention, has complete artistic control over material, artwork and advertising."
Bizarre is maintaining a suite of offices at 5455 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles and 150 West 55th St. in New York. Reshen is heading up the New York office.