From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1959
An Editorial | November 30, 1959
L A M E , H A L T A N D B L I N D
N E W Y O R K D I S T R I C T A T T O R N E Y Hogan and the Oren Harris Committee are boldly pursuing their investigations of the payola mess. This is all for the good, and may ultimately mean a better record and broadcasting industry — with cleaner business ethics and a fairer shake for the consumer.
Let us, however, urge the investigators to use utmost care in examining the evidence — in sifting the wheat from the chaff.
Many frustrated music men — out of step with current song and recording trends, see in the present goings-on a chance to a position of eminence. The ranks of the frustrated include artists, songwriters, publishers and record manufacturers — many of whom sigh for the good old days, blame their plight on rock and roll and construe that “rock ‘ n’ roll” is an outgrowth of payola.
T H E C A N C E R O F P A Y O L A cannot be pinned on rock and roll. Payola was rampart in the music business during the vaudeville era of the 1920s and the band era of the 1930s and 1940s. It did not affect major song trends then, and likewise, it is seen to have little effect in the 1950s.
The trend-setters are the Elvis Presleys, the Johnny Cashes, the Fats Dominoes, the Johnny Mathises, the Bobby Darins, etc. Artists of this stature make their mark despite payola. They make it because they reach kids with 98 cents in their pockets. They are the better arbiter.
Typical of the wild “evidence” being bandied about currently is the daily newspaper story about singer Don Anthony “whose record of ‘Careless’ became a hit on his own label, Barbizon Records . . . .”
Anthony made need police protection, as he claims, but his recording of ‘Careless’ never became a hit. Quite the contrary, all evidence indicates it was a complete bomb.
O T H E R S I M I L A R L Y W I L D A N D irresponsible pieces of “evidence” are lightly to come to light.
It would be highly unfair, and would do the record industry a great disservice, if irresponsible allegations by embittered has-beens were taken seriously by the investigators or the press.
There are many talented, creative peoplein the music business; there are many who are incompetent or no longer attuned; there are many who are, simply stated, evil.
The probers should aim carefully. A buckshot blast may do general and irreparable damage while missing the specific target: PAYOLA. END
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(Information and news source: Billboard; November 30, 1959)
