Guy Hands, Tin Ear, Sore Loser

Now that's it's all over Mr. Guy Hands, let's face it, you behaved poorly. Get this, you were wrong. I'm sure you investment bankers know everything there is to know about money in the bank. But, this Robert thinks you've got a "tin ear," and that's never going to work in the music biz.

New Boss Not The Same As The Old Boss

This Robert can't seem to keep EMI out of his blog. Now it seems that recently appointed CEO, Elio Leoni-Sceti, is history, and a T.V. man, Charles Allen, is the new boss.


Looks like trying to sell Abbey Road Studios and being sued by Pink Floyd for selling their music is worse than increasing sales, or are we witnessing the dawn of a new era? Is this the big clue that we're finally going to see a merger with the patient Mr.Edgar Bronfman's WMG? It seems Old Charlie has a history as Mr. Merger.

Music Apathy: Is it the Record Biz's Own Doing?

According to industry analyst Russ Crupnick, the number of people buying music has dropped by 35 million from 2007 to 2009. Seems P2P file sharing has also declined. This is a classic case of MAD: Music Apathy Disease.

This Robert blames the established music biz for not focusing on new music. First, these companies are trying to sell the same music over and over again. Seems the only new music artists the major multinational companies are developing are the ones who have turned over all their rights in the "360" deal mentality. That's right, if the big companies don't own everything, no matter how good the music, it's not going to see the light of day if Mr. Big doesn't get his. It's not the smartest business plan, increasing profit at the expense of shrinking the market.

White Knight For Abbey Road Studios

My, my, Mr. Andrew Lloyd Webber wants to buy Abbey Road Studios now that Guy Hands has EMI selling the family jewels. This Robert is wondering if Lloyd Webber is going to be the highest bidder. 'Cause that's what really matters when you're hocking stuff to pay off the man.

Everyone Gets It But Guy

This Robert's been going on and on about Guy Hands and all those bankers trashing a jewel of a company, EMI, one of the last remaining stand alone music companies.

But Mr. Simon Duke has done such a splendid job of explaining just how bad this really is.

This Robert defers to him.

Guy Hands Pawns Abbey Road Studios

This Robert thought he's seen it all, but now our Guy Hands is selling off one of EMI's treasures to keep the bank off his back. Abbey Road Studios is on the blocks. "Come on Guy," this Robert's saying "Give it up! You're in way over your head."

2 Billion, A Lot To Lose

Well, well Mr. Guy Hands, how does it feel to lose 2 billion dollars? And you still have to come up with 120 million by June to keep the doors open. This Robert wonders, is anyone going to throw any more money down that dry hole? Especially when the head of EMI's recorded division warns you "that morale among the record company's staff and artists (and those artists' managers) was at an all time low."

Looks like that patient Edgar Bronfman is getting closer to his dream of buying EMI's record division. Plus, if this takes much longer, Mr. Bronfman might not have to pay much. This Robert remembers when Mr. Bronfman was going to pay big for the same thing. Instead Terra Firma bought it and saved WMG a billion.