"The Music Man": Can Rick Rubin Save Columbia Records & The Music Industry

[DudeAsInCool]

Lynn Hirschberg of the New York Times profiles the no-President of Columbia Records, former producer Rick Rubin, who has worked in rock, country, hip-hop and heavy metal acts in the following ten page article:

...It is Columbia's belief that Rubin will hear the answers in the music — that he will find the solution to its ever-increasing woes. The mighty music business is in free fall — it has lost control of radio; retail outlets like Tower Records have shut down; MTV rarely broadcasts music videos; and the once lucrative album market has been overshadowed by downloaded singles, which mainly benefits Apple. "The music business, as a whole, has lost its faith in content," David Geffen, the legendary music mogul, told me recently. "Only 10 years ago, companies wanted to make records, presumably good records, and see if they sold. But panic has set in, and now it's no longer about making music, it's all about how to sell music. And there's no clear answer about how to fix that problem. But I still believe that the top priority at any record company has to be coming up with great music. And for that reason, Sony was very smart to hire Rick. "

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I respect the fact that the guy has worked in multiple genres, and that he is more in tune with the average listener than the suits, but I dont think he is going to be the savior of the music industry...if the music industry really wants to save the industry than they would be better off focusing on new talent and content and listening to music forums and blogs like this one. They are gradually waking up to the reality of their failed business practices...but it might be too late.

[method77]

like him or not, he is a music giant

[bmc]

he royally fucked up Minutes to Midnight though...

[method77]

like they needed much help :P

[bmc]

bahhhh, as much as you hate linkin park, you have to say that their previous albums were way better.

[method77]

true