Spike's
tales from the road 1981
– When managment takes control... "Wrabit" That's
All Folks!
Way
back in the early 1980's, I was employed with a group
called "Telemann".
The group featured John Albani on lead guitar, and
Telemann were a great live band to mix, and to tour
with.The band finally got themselves one of those big
time record deals, and were on their way!
The band were "blessed" with new management, and
the new management had some very interesting ideas that they
were trying to implement. The first big idea was to change
the name of the band. "Telemann was a baroque musician,
and we don't want to be "ba-roke" do we?" was
one selling point. "So, what should we name the band?" was
asked of the band. Many ideas were presented, but there was
never a concensus. This was the moment the management was
waiting for, and they presented their idea. "Rabbit". "Well,
not Rabbit, Wrabit! See, with a silent W!"
I'm not sure if it was the "Jim Jones lemonade",
but somehow, that would be the new name. Wrabit.
So, while the band was out east playing shows, the management
went out and hired Chuck Jones,
of Bugs Bunny fame, to draw the album cover. A wascally wabbit,
vewwy feawless, but vewwy funny. Vewwy vewwy expensive too.
$40k!
Upon our return from tour, we, Andy Linden (Telemann lighting
director) and myself, were invited down to the management
office. A friendly gathering, to discuss some new ideas,
and to get to see the new album cover, even before the band
sees it!
Andy and I arrive at the office, and as is customary to those
times, we were greeted with gladhanded management smilyfaces,
kneeling before a horizontal mirror hidden under a pile of
white powder. We proceed to remove the obstructing powder
from the mirror. And now, it is time to reveal the new album
cover!
"Ok, close your eyes!, Here it comes." "Ready,
now, OPEN YOUR EYES!"
I stare at the album cover he held out in his hand. I don't
know what to say. I am a little shocked. I look at Andy,
he has the same look of disbelief. I start to laugh!
"Why are you laughing?" I am asked.
"Well, it must be a joke, right? I mean, this can't be
the album cover you spent all that money on.....is
it?" It
is at this point I realise that they WERE serious,
and this IS the album cover. They then do there best
to explain the merits of the artwork, the artist, etc,
but if you were to see the cover, well, I would expect
something more for fourty grand (US). But thats just
me.
Next, it is time to take a seat and discuss some new ideas
they would like to implement whenever Rabbit, oops, I mean
Wrabit, performs live.
"We have this great idea, of handing out REAL CARROTS
to each and every concertgoer!" exclaims Stienberg,
while Rosen sits nodding his head in approval.
"Aren't you concerned with what people will do with those carrots?" I
ask. "I'm going to need protection from projectiles!"
"And", continues Stienberg, "We are
going to get the crew to wear freaky Wrabit outfits,
coveralls, working like busy bunnies!"
I can't believe he said those words! "You won't see
me wearing any freaking bunny outfit! If you want, you can
hire some girls to wear the bunny costumes!".
After this unexpected outburst, the meeting was over,
and Andy and I were on our way out, in more ways than
one!
Ahhh, the joys of corporate rock and roll.... SPIKE
Way
back in the early 1980's, I was employed with a group
called "Telemann".
The group featured John Albani on lead guitar, and
Telemann were a great live band to mix, and to tour
with.The band finally got themselves one of those big
time record deals, and were on their way!
"Well, it must be a joke, right? I mean, this can't be
the album cover you spent all that money on.....is
it?" It
is at this point I realise that they WERE serious,
and this IS the album cover. They then do there best
to explain the merits of the artwork, the artist, etc,
but if you were to see the cover, well, I would expect
something more for fourty grand (US). But thats just
me.
"Aren't you concerned with what people will do with those carrots?" I
ask. "I'm going to need protection from projectiles!"