Don Henley Selling Out?

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mikenycLI
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Don Henley Selling Out?

Postby mikenycLI » Sun Jun 15, 2003 7:42 pm

Courtesy of Reuters/Billboard...

Don Henley Selling Out?

Sun June 15, 2003 03:55 PM ET

By Ed Christman

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Best Buy has captured a one-month exclusive window in selling the Eagles' "Hole in the World" DVD single, but other retailers are none too happy with the move.

In an open letter to Don Henley and the Eagles, 54 independent stores and regional chains question that decision in light of the stances the group's frontman has taken as a founder of the Recording Artists' Coalition and a leading advocate for artists' rights.

The letter asks how Henley can "rail against the consolidation of power in the radio industry and among large record labels" and then let one of the biggest retailers have an exclusive on the Eagles. "We respectfully ask," the letter continues, "where has your integrity and sense of fairness gone?"

The letter also pointed out that the strategy would force Eagles fans to search for the single instead of being able to purchase it wherever they chose.

The single, which Best Buy is selling for $6.99, contains two discs: a CD single of "Hole in the World" and a DVD with a video single and outtakes from the video and the band's Farewell I tour. Best Buy gets it for four weeks through July 10. Its Musicland and the Future Shop subsidiaries join in during the last three weeks. It then becomes available to all retail through Bayside Distribution.

Irving Azoff, manager of the Eagles, was unavailable for comment. But a letter he sent to retailers in response explains that he made the decision without input from the band. Further, he said that the Eagles are trying to forge new ground by not putting their music out through the majors. Azoff said he is a "part-time, one-man" label and needs Best Buy's financial and marketing clout to let fans know the song is available.

Reuters/Billboard

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jht ... ID=2931515