Merck - Billboard mag coverboy

[GypsySoul]

Okay, so there's also that Elton-somebody on the cover too ... and the article has to do with Sanctuary's business dealings...
... BUT ... Merck looks really cool.?

[GypsySoul]

[GypsySoul]

OOPS!!!? HANG IN THERE PEOPLES ... THAT WASN'T THE MAIN INTERVIEW!!!?

Okay ... so I'm an idiot ... but it wasn't totally my fault ... when you open the mag, there's this bigass pic of Elton on the left side and the interview that includes Merck's comments are on the page on the right ... but since it was only Elton in that pic, I just skipped over to the next page where there's the above article and pic of Merck.

I'M TYPING OUT THE MAIN INTERVIEW AND WILL POST IT ASAP.?

[PhillyRiot]

Sooner or later Merck will take some heat for the lack of a GNR album.

[Johnnyblood]

We get Billboard at my work. I was able to skim the article quickly. I didn't see any GNR references. It's mainly about Elton's career and the fact that Elton really likes Merck. I came away with a sense that Merck is on the artist's side. There was ablsolutely nothing, literal or between the lines, regarding CD or anything like that.

[GypsySoul]

There was ablsolutely nothing, literal or between the lines, regarding CD or anything like that.

You're joking, right?? I admit that you do have to read between the lines but IMO this interview gives us a great insight to what Merck's part is in making CD successful.
?
For example:
quote
BB:? How do you balance that with working for a publicly traded company?
MM:? Our job is to provide an environment for the artist to be able to make their best record.? And then for their best work to have the time and the attention that it needs put into it in order for it to be a success.? That isn?t always conducive to stock-market thinking.? Stock-market thinking is, ?How can you possible not be putting the record out when you?re projecting to put the record out??? I?m never going to compromise an artist to be able to meet the numbers of the stock market.? In the long run, it?s a false economy.
end quote

[Johnnyblood]

There was ablsolutely nothing, literal or between the lines, regarding CD or anything like that.

You're joking, right?? I admit that you do have to read between the lines but IMO this interview gives us a great insight to what Merck's part is in making CD successful.
?
For example:
quote
BB:? How do you balance that with working for a publicly traded company?
MM:? Our job is to provide an environment for the artist to be able to make their best record.? And then for their best work to have the time and the attention that it needs put into it in order for it to be a success.? That isn?t always conducive to stock-market thinking.? Stock-market thinking is, ?How can you possible not be putting the record out when you?re projecting to put the record out??? I?m never going to compromise an artist to be able to meet the numbers of the stock market.? In the long run, it?s a false economy.
end quote

Yeah I was making a huge joke.?

The article was mainly about Merck and Elton. There was a reference to the fact that Elton's last album, Peachtree Road, was one of the best he's made since the 70s. Problem was, it only sold 300k. The stock market thing was more about that album and the fallout from its poor sales. If you want to think Merck was actually talking about GNR between the lines, you have that right. But you would have a tough time proving your point. Highlighting those generic lines doesn't mean he was thinking about CD when he said them. Those apply to all Merck's artists. There is nothing, again I repeat, nothing in the article shedding any light on GNR or CD. Not everyone sees everything related to Sanctuary through the GNR lens. Period. Paragraph.

[jarmo]

One of Axl's heroes and his manager on the cover of Billboard.

Wonder if Axl saw that coming back when he sat and listened to Elton John as a kid. 




/jarmo

[GypsySoul]

Highlighting those generic lines doesn't mean he was thinking about CD when he said them.? Those apply to all Merck's artists. There is nothing, again I repeat, nothing in the article shedding any light on GNR or CD. Not everyone sees everything related to Sanctuary through the GNR lens. Period. Paragraph.

FYI:? GNR IS one of Merck's artists.? Try thinking outside the box.? Try reading it like it's about what Merck brings to the team - the GNR team; the Sanctuary team; etc.

Like I said before:

I admit that you do have to read between the lines but IMO this interview gives us a great insight to what Merck's part is in making CD successful.

[ppbebe]

Thanks gypsy.

I'M TYPING OUT THE MAIN INTERVIEW AND WILL POST IT ASAP. 

Yes, Please.  It may help us to understand the environment a little better. If not, it's still interesting to read.

[michaelvincent]

quote
BB:? How do you balance that with working for a publicly traded company?
MM:? Our job is to provide an environment for the artist to be able to make their best record.? And then for their best work to have the time and the attention that it needs put into it in order for it to be a success.? That isn?t always conducive to stock-market thinking.? Stock-market thinking is, ?How can you possible not be putting the record out when you?re projecting to put the record out??? I?m never going to compromise an artist to be able to meet the numbers of the stock market.? In the long run, it?s a false economy.
end quote

That is why? Sanctuary isn't doing so hot and also why Axl hasn't delivered an album. Yeah, it's great that they are into art and letting artists take their time but Sanctuary is a business with a bottom line and money to make. Unfortunately limitless artistic freedom and business don't do so well together because you pretty much get an Axl Rose situation. He could be in there with a microphone up his ass for all we know, but Merck ain't gonna bother him until Axl is good and ready to make his artistic statement. Please....?

I predict that Sanctuary will continue to go on the downslide and eventually Merck will get tired of waiting for his prodigal son to return and force Chinese Democracy out whether Axl wants to or not. In the music business money always talks the loudest.

[GypsySoul]

Here's that main Elton/Merck interview.? As pointed out in previous replies, this interview is NOT about, nor does it mention, GNR or CD or Axl.? When I read it, I did so with the mindset of what it could tell us about how Merck does whatever it is that Merck does do/might do for us. (us = the GNR team including us fans).? Like what something like the last question/answer on this first page might mean for us, too (if Sanctuary is sold).?

Plus, I think it's so cool that an icon with the stature of an Elton John thinks so highly of someone who's on our side.

? ?

[GypsySoul]

 

[GypsySoul]