Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Variety Hitmaker of the Year SZA, Karol G and Peso Pluma are among the big honorees in the Recording Industry Association of America’s year-end tally and its “Class of 2023,” recognizing the top albums, singles and first-timers who earned their first Gold & Platinum certifications in 2023. Highlights include: SZA has the most certifications with 15 titles, including the Top Album with 3x Platinum SOS and Top Single with 5x Platinum “Kill Bill” Peso Pluma scored the highest album certification for a first-time artist with his Platinum collection, “Génesis” Karol G scored the top Latin album with 5x “Platino Mañana Será Bonito,” while Carin Leon & Grupo Frontera’s collaboration “Que Vuelvas” is the top Latin single.
Phil Quartararo, Former Head of Warner Bros. and Virgin Records, Dies at 67
22.11.2023 - 22:29 / variety.com
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Phil Quartararo, the veteran record executive who played a major role in the success of the Spice Girls, Linkin Park and many others, has died, Variety has confirmed. Billboard reported that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer; he was 67. A familiar and friendly presence at countless concerts across the decades, “Phil Q.” — pictured above with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks in 2001 — was renowned for his warm personality and firm handshake.
Paula Abdul, another artist with whom he worked closely, said in a statement, “Phil believed in me like no other. His ceaseless support for me during my time at Virgin was unparalleled. I will miss him.” A native of Brooklyn and a graduate of Syracuse University, Quartararo’s career sprawled across five decades and virtually every major label group.
He began his career in the radio promotion department of A&M Records in 1977, shortly after graduating from college. Over the following decade he worked his way up the ranks of the promotion departments at RCA, Island and Artist Records, before moving over to Virgin Records’ U.S. divison in 1986.
He remained with that company until 1997, rising to the role of CEO/president. Then then was named president of Warner Bros. Records, a post he retained until 2002.
Ariana Grande Inks New Management Deal
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music As expected, Ariana Grande has signed with Brandon Creed and his new Good World Management firm, sources close to the situation confirm to Variety. The news comes four months after sources confirmed that the singer had parted ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun who, apart from a period of several months in 2017, had managed her since the release of her debut album a decade ago.
‘Minecraft’: ‘Wednesday’ Star Emma Myers Digs Into Warner Bros Movie
EXCLUSIVE: Emma Myers has a closed a deal we hear to star in Warner Bros and Legendary’s Minecraft feature film.
Denny Laine, Longtime Member of Paul McCartney’s Wings and Moody Blues Cofounder, Dies at 79
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Denny Laine, the British singer-guitarist best known for his work with Paul McCartney & Wings and the Moody Blues, has died after a long battle with interstitial lung disease, according to a social media post from his wife. He was 79.
Music Attorney Donald Passman on AI, Streaming’s Future, Catalog Sales and the State of the Industry
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music If there is a bible for the music industry, it’s Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” Since the first edition came out more than 30 years ago, it has guided countless musicians and executives, and has prevented many of them from making decisions they’d later regret. Considering the deep detail Passman gets into about contracts, royalties and other complicated business arrangements, his tone is remarkably conversational, and he makes sure readers don’t miss the important stuff: The section on business managers begins with him saying “Listen to me!!!” in italics with several exclamation marks.
Bruce Springsteen Presents Darlene Love With Platinum Award for Phil Spector Christmas Album and ‘Baby Please Come Home’
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music While it includes some of the most iconic Christmas songs of the past 60 years — most notably Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) — if there was ever an album with a problematic history, it’s “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector.” Spector was the hottest producer in the world at the time of the album’s release, but it dropped on Nov. 22, 1963 — yes, the day President John F.
Billie Eilish and Finneas Wowed by Bernie Taupin’s Tribute at Variety’s Hitmakers: ‘You’re the F—ing Man, Dawg!’
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Billie Eilish and her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell have received Grammys, an Oscar and just about every award and honor and tribute and kudo young recording artists can imagine in the six years since her debut EP in 2017, but even they can still be awed by a tribute from a respected influence. That happened at Variety’s Hitmakers celebration in Los Angeles on Saturday, when Elton John’s lyricist of 56 years, Bernie Taupin — who has written the lyrics for everything from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” to “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind” — paid tribute to their songwriting partnership when rewarding them with the Film Song of the Year honor for “What Was I Made For?,” their song from the summer blockbuster film “Barbie.” Before an audience that included Boygenius, Joan Baez, Olivia Rodrigo, Victoria Monet and many others (SZA hadn’t arrived yet), the following exchange took place: Taupin’s tribute and Eilish’s response (Finneas just said “Thanks guys!”) follows in full.
SZA wants more respect for Creed and Nickelback
SZA spoke to Variety for a new cover story published on Thursday and talk turned to the music she likes to listen to. SZA reeled off an eclectic list of her favorite artists, naming everyone from Stevie Wonder to King Krule via Fever Ray.
Brand new luxury Edinburgh hotel features rooftop terrace and music recording studio
A brand new luxury hotel in Edinburgh has been unveiled, featuring a panoramic rooftop terrace and even a music recording studio.
‘Minecraft’: Warner Bros Movie Adds Danielle Brooks & Sebastian Eugene Hansen
EXCLUSIVE: We hear on good authority that Max Peacemaker star Danielle Brooks and Sebastian Eugene Hansen are joining the cast of Warner Bros. and Legendary‘s Minecraft movie.
Why the Weeknd’s ‘Die for You’ Took Six Years to Hit No. 1
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music How does a six-year-old song become a hit? In 2023, of course the short answer is TikTok, but it takes a lot more than that to make a song into a genuine hit single — let alone take the longest climb to No. 1 for a non-holiday song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the story of the Weeknd’s “Die for You” — No.
What’s on SZA’s Playlists? ‘Kill Bill’ Singer Talks Inspiration From Ella Fitzgerald and Her Love for Creed and Nickelback
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music It’s obvious from SZA’s music that she has a wide range of influences, from classic R&B to Joni Mitchell, jazz to pop-punk and beyond. But just how far those influences range becomes dramatically clear when she talks about the music in her house and at school growing up, and best of all, when starts looking at the playlists in her phone. For much more from this remarkable interview, see our “SZA: Variety’s Hitmaker of the Year” article. What kinds of music were playing in your house when you were growing up? My mom has a lot of church music; my dad has a lot of jazz and abstract music; my sister plays a lot of melodic hip-hop and rap. And I love classical music, I love jazz, I love music with color.
In the Pink: Super-Producer Mark Ronson on Making the Music for ‘Barbie,’ and How Dua Lipa’s Song Changed to Fit the Film
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Whether it’s a soundtrack, a score or a song placement, there are countless wrong ways to do music for film and so few ways to make it feel right. There’s very little leeway, which is why it can be so challenging for even the most successful hitmakers to make the transition to film music — especially with a major film event like “Barbie.” To say that the music for the summer blockbuster has been a success is a vast understatement: Not only is the film’s companion album Variety’s Hitmakers Soundtrack of the Year, the music from the film scored a whopping 11 Grammy nominations across seven categories — including song and record of the year — and four of the five entries nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Marty Krofft, Colorful Producer of ‘H.R. Pufnstuf,’ ‘Land of the Lost,’ Dies at 86
Carmel Dagan Staff Writer Marty Krofft, who with his brother Sid produced memorable kids shows “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” — as well as the 2009 feature based on the latter — has died.
Hollywood Christmas Parade Ready For Its 91st Edition On Sunday
A grand Hollywood tradition will kick off at 6 PM on Sunday, as the 91st Hollywood Christmas Parade winds through the streets of the movie capital.
Dan Walker details terrifying hospital dash that saw head double in size and body swell
Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker, 46, has bravely shared his experience of a health scare that saw him rushed to the hospital.The former Strictly Come Dancing star was in Poland for the European football championships in 2012 when he noticed a 'strange' lump in his stomach and changes in his breathing. Before he knew it, he was being whisked off to accident and emergency in Poland with his colleague Richard Hughes by his side.
Phil Quartararo Dies: Former Top Record Executive At EMI, Virgin And Warner Bros. Was 67
Phil Quartararo, a record executive for five decades at A&M, RCA, Island, EMI, Warner Bros. and Virgin Records, died today of pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles. He was 67.
Paula Abdul To Be Honored As Humanitarian Of The Year At Hollywood Christmas Parade
EXCLUSIVE: Paula Abdul will be recognized as the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year at the Hollywood Christmas Parade to be held on November 26. The honor will be presented by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in appreciation for her generosity and her commitment to giving back to the community.
Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris Ride Again on ‘The Last Roundup,’ a Stunning New Archival Concert Recording: Album Review
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Of the many premature deaths from the wave of great ‘60s musicians, Gram Parsons is one of the most tragic. A deeply gifted singer and songwriter, he’s universally (if not entirely accurately) regarded as the patron saint of Americana music.
Superlawyer Donald Passman Talks AI, New Streaming Models and the Updated Edition of His Book, ‘All You Need to Know About the Music Business’: Strictly Business Podcast
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music If there is a bible for the music industry, it’s Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” Since the first edition came out more than 30 years ago, it has guided countless musicians and executives, and has prevented many of them from making decisions they’d later regret. Considering the deep detail Passman gets into about contracts, royalties and other complicated business arrangements, his tone is remarkably conversational, and he makes sure readers don’t miss the important stuff: The section on business managers begins with him saying “Listen to me!!!” in italics with several exclamation marks.