Category: Motown

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

REMINDER IS ISSUED BY MOTOWN; MARY WELLS STILL UNDER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO MOTOWN

NEW YORK — Barney Ales, vice-president of Motown Record Corporation, last week announced that Mary Wells is still under contract to Motown. The label’s legal department has sent telegrams to record companies with the disclaimer who are believed to be negotiating with the artist, advising them of her contractual obligations to Motown, and with Motown only.

Ales stated that Berry Gordy, Jr., president of Motown was “surprised and hurt” when he learned that Miss Wells was “apparently receptive” to offers. Ales noted that Miss Wells had the top record of the country, “My Guy,” and has had the benefit of three-year promotional and sales campaign by the organization, all of which are reflective in her present status as an artist.

Ales, stating he is aware that many offers are proffered an artist who has had a top record, added that he would like to alert the industry to a group of young ladies called the Supremes, “who will have the next No. 1 record in the U.S., “Where Did Our Love Go?,” exclusively on Motown Records. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; July 18, 1964)

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

GREEN LIGHT GIVEN TO MARY WELLS; SIGNS WITH 20TH CENTURY

NEW YORK — George Scheck, head of Diversified Artists Corp., told Billboard that some radio programmers are still hesitant or reluctant about playing the first release on the Twentieth-Century Fox label by his client, Mary Wells. Scheck said that “some remember that a while back Motown Records had issued an alert concerning her contractual obligations with them and warned of possible litigation if they programmed material she might release on other labels.”

Scheck also stated, “Just to get the record straight, there has been a happy settlement arrangement made with Miss Wells, Motown Records and 20th Century Fox Records which makes it possible for her to record for the film company record division.” END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; November 7, 1964)