Mo Ostin, one of the music industry’s most legendary managers, passed away last Sunday (July 31) at the age of 95.
“A wonderful man and great leader” is the title of the legendary Vademecum on the sound of the American West Coast “Waiting for the Sun” by British pop author Barney Hoskins.
In the no less legendary scandal chronicle of the US music biz, “Hitmen” by Fredric Dannen, it says again: “Although he seemed reserved at first glance, Ostin as chairman of Warner Brothers did not shy away from armed conflicts any more than his bitter opponent Walter Yetnikoff by CBS Records” (today Sony Music, editor’s note).
“His face resembled a rodent”
Mo Ostin is described in the literature as “small and slight”. In the era of wild manes, he was again bald and wore glasses. “His face resembled a rodent,” says Fredric Dannen. Ostin was a proto-nerd among the alpha males of the music industry at the time, who also liked to make shady deals with the mafia.
At an industry convention in Florida in 1976, CBS boss Yetnikoff learned that songwriter and superstar James Taylor’s contract with Warner was expiring. Taylor’s albums with Warner, such as “Sweet Baby James” or “Gorilla”, achieved platinum status. At a time when vinyl discs sold by the millions were still THE standard currency in the music business.
“A $1 million guarantee per album plus a $2.5 million deposit was stingy by 1976 standards, even for a hit act. But there was war!”
When James Taylor finally signed the deal with CBS after a long back and forth to turn his back on Mo Ostin and his parent label Warner, Ostin hit back with cunning and cunning.
Ostin knew everything
When CBS star Paul Simon’s contract was up for renewal, Ostin intervened. He knew the strife between Grammy winner Simon and the choleric CBS zampano.
With the help of the well-versed industry lawyer Mike Tannen, he reached an agreement in principle that Paul Simon should operate under the Warner logo in the future. The beginning of a bitter legal battle over an undelivered album on CBS, which should overturn Paul Simon for years. A “terrible personal struggle,” according to Simon, which pushed him into severe writer’s block.
It wasn’t until years later that Mo Ostin’s fishing in CBS waters paid off.
Paul Simon regained his old vigor in 1986 and released a worldwide mega hit with “Graceland”. Ostin’s quiet business style had once again paid off financially for his long-standing home company.
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