Covering a song in the recording industry was nothing new. There had always been different versions of popular songs such as "White Christmas." Bing Crosby's version is the one most are familiar with, but many artists that recorded "White Christmas," among them the Drifters in 1954. ASCAP had even looked at favorably as more airplay would allow the collection of more royalties What was different now was the the purpose of the covers. To fully understand what was happening one needs to know a bit of the recording industry's history.
After the depression to Major companies decided to abandon the "race" record market which they deemed no longer profitable. The void was quickly filled by a number of small independent companies made up of men who knew and love black music.
At about the same time BMI was formed as alternative to the Major's licensing arm ASCAP. The radio industry had grown tired of paying high royalties for songs licensed by ASCAP, which most of the "pop" songs were. The haughty ASCAP chose not to licensee country and rhythm and blues songs. BMI began licensing rhythm and blues and country songs, that ASCAP had chosen to ignore. When country and rhythm and blues became rock and roll ASCAP found itself out in the cold. ASCAP would be a prime mover behind the Senate Hearings on Payola in the late fifties.
The Crew Cuts
The Crew Cuts were the king of the cover groups The original were always better than the covers, but were almost always outsold by them.
Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)
Original by the Chords Cover by the Crew Cuts
By the mid fifties the independents were dominating the R&B and the pop charts. The Majors counterattack by covering of their records.
The cover record was meant to appeal to largest market possible This was done by retaining the same melody, tempo, chords and with enough emotion and feel and cleaning up of the lyrics if necessary, the record would appeal to both adults and teenagers. With more access to airplay, the inferior cover versions outsold the originals.
Lavern Baker begins a tour to start in Australia. She takes out a $125,00 life insurance policy naming Georgia Gibbs as sole beneficiary. In a letter to Gibbs Baker writes that the policy is is to provide for her should she be deprived in the event of my untimely death "of the opportunity of copying my songs and arrangements in the future" The letter closed Tra La La and Tweedle Dee, LaVern Baker.
1954 became the year of "The Cover." The Major companies would choose a suitable song such as "Sincerely, " "Earth Angel," Sh'Boom," etc. Then they hire a white group to record a cover. With their greater resources they could be competing in a week or two. In most cases the covers sound quality was superior, which gave them an advantage in the market place.
Covering was extremely profitable because it wasn't necessary to spend money finding and developing talent. Success was almost guaranteed because the covers were always of up and coming records.
Besides the original label and artist the publisher was hurt, too. Copyright royalties were based on records sold. The covering company generally gave twenty five percent of the "covers" away. With more of the records in circulation fewer of the original were sold.
Recognizing this Syd Nathan and Herman Lubinsky head of Savoy Records in 1955 refused to license their songs to other companies. This forced other companies to file "Notice of User" application with the copyright office before releasing their version. This legally obligated them to pay royalties on the number of records manufactured rather then sold and required them to pay royalties every 30 days rather then quarterly, which was industry practice.
The difference between a re-make and a cover
Faster Horses, Younger Women, Older Whiskey, More Money!
Elvis Presley was the first real rock and roll star. A white southerner who singing blues laced with country and country tinged with gospel, Presley brought together music from both sides of the color line. Presley performed this music with a natural hip swiveling sexuality that made him a teen idol and a role model for generations of cool rebels. Presley was repeatedly dismissed as vulgar, incompetent and a bad influence. However the force of his music and image signaled to the mainstream culture it was time for a change.
Born January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley was the son of Gladys and Vernon Presley, a sewing machine operator and a truck driver. Presley's twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn, and he grew up as an only child. At age three, Vernon was sent to prison for forgery. It seems that Vernon, Travis Smith, and Luther Gable changed the amount of a check from Version's boss from $3 to $8 and cashed it at a local bank.Vernon pled guilty and was sentenced to three years at Parchment Farms Penitentiary. Vernon's boss, Mr. Bass calls in a note that Vernon signed to borrow money to build the house. Gladys is forced to move in with Vernon's parents. Vernon would only serve eight months. Afterward Vernon's employment was spotty and the family lived just above the poverty line. The Presleys attended the First Assembly of God Church whose Pentecostal services always included singing.
Entering the fifth grade, Presley is asked by his teacher, Mrs. J.C. Grimes to enter a talent contest on children's day at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. At the age of ten , dressed in a cowboy suit, and standing on a chair to reach the microphone, Presley for his rendition of Red Foley's "Old Shep" won second place, a $5 prize and a free ticket to all the rides. On his birthday the following January he received a guitar. Over the next year,Vernon's brother Vester gives him basic guitar lessons
In 1948 after losing another job Vernon moved the family to Memphis. Glady's brothers get him a job at the Precision Tool Company and the Presleys moved into a small apartment at 572 Poplar Avenue. On September 13 Elvis enrolls at L.C. Humes High School.
Starting his sophomore year Presley works in the school library and after school at Loew's State Theatre. In 1951, his receives his first driver's license, joins the ROTC unit at Humes High, tries out for the football team (he's cut by the coach when he won;t trim his sideburns and ducktail), and in his spare time hanging around the black section of town, especially on Beale Street.
In his senior year Presley gets his first car, a 1942 Lincoln Zephyr, from Vernon. At eighteen majoring in Shop, History, and English he graduates from Humes High in 1953.
The day after graduation he took a job at Parker Machinists Shop. By June was working at the Precision Tool Company and then drove truck for the Crown Electric Co. After a short time in the stock room he is promoted to truck and began to wear his long hair pompadoured, the current truck driver style. That summer he recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When the Your Heartaches Begin" at Memphis Recording Studios, a sideline Sam Phillips had started at his Sun Records studios where anyone could record a ten inch acetate for four dollars.
Faster Horses, Younger Women, Older Whiskey, More Money!
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