Expert: Jenyfer Johnson - 7/7/2006

Question
Hi, I understand that Peter Grant revolutionised the musioc industry by changing the way artists were paid e.g artists would get 25% while promoter would get 75% and he switched it so that artists got 75% etc

How did he do this? I understand his strategy in dealing with bootleggers etc but what did he do with the promoters to make such a change feasible?  

Answer
I'm not exactly sure of the percentages (25 and 75%) but Peter Grant's strategy was to ensure that bands kept control over their music by first maintaining control over the music itself, i.e. albums.  He believed that Led Zeppelin should release whole albums versus singles, and thus ensure they make more money.  The first contract that he negotiated with Atlantic Records was a very sizable one, especially for a new band, but Grant got them a large 5-year contract and it paid off for the band and for Atlantic Records.  He also emphasized concert performances over television performances.  TV performances gave a band exposure but little money where a concert performance gave them far more money, gave them more word-of-mouth advertisement for their music and was better exposure for Zeppelins type of music. He was also the band's promoter, thus keeping the "promoter/booking agent" money within the band. He set up the Superhype Publishing Company which kept control of the band's music and gave them further control over their music and the money it made.  He kept a firm hand on bootleggers of video, audio, posters and t-shirts at every concert too.
Peter Grant was one of the greatest music managers that rock music has ever seen! When asked what his number one thing a manager could say was, he replied "know when to say no."
I hope this helps.
Jenyfer