Cinnie said:

I predict that many of the older artists who have hugely successful tours (Elton John?) will try to work out a deal like this.

SoulAlive said:

Yeah and I bet he'll be the next one to take the Live Nation or maybe the Starbucks route.

Timmy84 said:

Let's hope it's not a bitter ending and that she refuses to promote the album and/or make a good album, etc. Let's hope Warners isn't dumb, either and just ignores it. And hopefully Warners treats their fans right and gives them a good collection...not lots of decent collections here and there....For example, if the name Rhino comes up when it's time for this set....

This news gives me a bit of a queezy feeling.


Without Madonna, what will become of Warner Bros. Records? It's not secret that she's their bread and butter. The only real star that's left on the label (hell, in the business?). Anyway, it seems weird that they'd let her go. On the other hand, I heard that the deal is pretty pricey (and over 10 years), and if so, they probably felt that money could be spent developing hot new acts instead of supporting the bloat of some dinosaur's career.


As for Madonna herself, this is an incredible risk. If the deal is worth as much as I've heard, then I hope she worked something out with the new company that she doesn't have to pay back the advances. There's no way in hell any of her new records are going to make that kind of money. And it's also risky, because apparently this label is brand new and has absolutely no experience. But that could be a plus. A maverick spirit usually works better at shaking things up and doing new things than the ones that have been doing the tried and true for over a century.

Still this makes me nervous. I hope the greatest hits package she still owns Warner Bros. ends up being a box set, with a whole disc of outtakes from over the years, instead of yet a nother slap-dash "effort" like the last one. Seems like the last chance we're ever going to get to hear any old outtakes, unless they work something out in the future. I'm sure WB. owns the rights to release them.

Raze said:

What???

Raze said:

She did say she and Warner were going to cooperate with the final album. I don't know about future ventures though (like the proposed box set).

Timmy84 said:

The difference with Elton and Madonna is the fact that ELTON owns every single damn thing, he owns his entire catalog of music, madonna does not, Elton owns masters, publishing, tours, u name it and he owns it, he also donates almost all of it at this point to aids research because like he said, he doesnt really need anymore $$.

Raze said:

here's an article that puts it all in perspective....

Live Nation expects more than $1 billion in revenue from Madonna deal

Based on historical data from her last few albums and tours,Live Nation believes it will generate gross revenues well in excess of $1 billion over the 10-year life of its new,ground-breaking music deal with superstar Madonna,the company announced in a conference call today.Live Nation is paying the singer $120 million over 10 years,but was not highest bidder financially for her services,according to the commpany.With the new deal,Madonna ends her long-term relationship with Warner Music Group,but she still owes them one more album.

The company,which produced several of Madonna's previous tours,said her 2006 Confessions On A Dancefloor trek grossed about $200 million worldwide,and that she could mount four similar tours over the life of the new contract to generate a total of $800 million.Her previous three albums combined grossed $200 million and the new contract calls for three from the singer.Live Nation expects the first album to be delivered sometime in the next two to three years and for the first tour within the next two years.

That alone adds up to a potential gross of $1 billion,and that's before merchandising,licensing and DVD or other media sales,and the two sides will split some of the revenue generated by those ventures.The logistics of one critical component of the deal,tour ticketing and distribution,was not addressed during the conference call Tuesday,but Live Nation vows to expand beyond its LiveNation.com ticket sale section to offer more extensive ticketing solutions in the future.Ticket pricing will continue to be decided by discussions with Live Nation,the promoter and Madonna and her camp (Source: Alfred Branch,Jr. Ticketnews.com)





Madonna is a proven moneymaker.25 years into her career,she is still a remarkably smart and focused businesswoman.She know how to bring in the big bucks.This deal doesn't make me queasy at all.Her album sales may have declined here in the States,but her CDs sell like hotcakes everywhere else.Every album she releases is a global hit,topping the charts in over 30 different countries.It's become rather easy for her to gross $200 million for just three months on the road.LiveNation is wise to go into business with someone like Madonna.She's a workaholic.Unlike MJ or Janet,this broad isn't lazy at all

From a fan persepective,this deal is cause for celebration.It pretty much guarantees that we will get new music,more tours,more merchandise,etc.It's the beginning of a new Madonna era,and I can't wait to see what's next.

lastdecember said:

Wow, I didn't know Elton had it like that!
[Edited 10/18/07 7:09am]

TotalAlisa said:

Don't you know? Just about anything she does is great and wonderful compared to other artists. Other artists are lost compared to her. Other artists will never be as great as her. She's the all great! The all mighty! While other artists (I will not call any names) are for lack of a better word, wandering. Lost their way. Confused. Just doesn't cut it. Just doesn't have. She consider retiring. They simply are not Madonna. Whatever.

DawnD said:

yes she will never be Madonna, just like MJ, Elvis and the Beatles it's a one time deal.
[Edited 10/18/07 10:00am]

ehuffnsd said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah for a guy that did Drugs nonstop for about a decade, he sure kept his finances in order and didnt give stuff anyway. He did battle to get the masters, but was able to get them, the publishing has always been his and of course Bernie Taupin who does the lyrics, he even has his own label "Rocket Records" which did alot of the re-releasing/re-mastering of his albums too.

lastdecember said:

Reggie knows business...

MikeMatronik said:

That man is SMART as hell!

Liz Rosenberg on future record plans
Posted: 18 October 2007

In a published report in Hollywood Insider, Liz Rosenberg gives fans the first 'firm' news on when the new album is expected.

Liz states that Madonna's new album could be released in March 2008 and a greatest hits package could be released late 2008/early 2009.



Warner Brothers statement on Live Nation deal
Posted: 18 October 2007

Madonna's current record label Warner Brothers have issued this statement following on from the news that Madonna will be leaving them to join Live Nation:

We congratulate Madonna on her future plans. She is one of the most remarkable artists of our time. We are excited to issue her upcoming album next year. We are also honored to own her catalog of recordings from the past 25 years, as well as to manage her library of songs for an extended period of time. From all of us at Warner Music Group, we thank Madonna for a valued and enduring partnership.

CHIC0 said:

That means she does own her masters and that she can do what she wants with them. She had the power to transfer them to another company. Very very smart. Warner now have to ask to do anything with her back catologue.

paisleypark4 said:

sounds to me..as i read it..that WB owns her catalogue. but it seems like an amicable split and i'm sure she's got some kind of deal that allows her the rights to her songs as well.

CHIC0 said:

Chico is right: that statement is from WB. They'd never let her just walk away with her back catalog.

Cinnie said:

oh shit i read that wrong...i though Live said that..nevermind, she's fucked

paisleypark4 said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah and thats not even talking about his EltonJohn.Com site that sells exclusive stuff not in stores has a membership club, and the usual perks that come with that, so I know Elton and Prince were playing together at a Prince Gig recently, I hope Prince got some pointers on business from Sir Elton. (at least about getting his old stuff back)

Sad for WB. 15 years ago they had 3 of the hottest acts in the world (Prince, REM & Madonna), they were renowned as being a label that went out of its way to treat its artists right, now they're just a shadow of their former selves.

If what i read is true, Madonna was offered more money from other places but turned it down on the basis of the kind of unique deal being offered to her by Live Nation. I hopw for one she uses this step to invigorate her career in a new direction. Sadly - with the figures involved, i think it will only force her to become even more commercially minded. I have no problem with her raking in the $ on tour - its a wise move - but i hope she doesn't compromise herself in the recording studio as a result.

DawnD said:

Madonna is the smartest person in pop music.Yeah,I said it She has handled her career better than any other pop artist.That's not hype,that's the truth.

.
[Edited 10/19/07 2:24am]

CrozzaUK said:

I heard that Clive Davis was one of the guys who was bidding to get Madonna I wonder how things might have worked for her at Arista.

SoulAlive said:

Well they still got Whitney and if Madonna had went over there, Whitney would leave in a huff and Clive couldn't have that. Plus he's still looking after Ms. Alicia Keys so Madonna would've not been as heavily promoted. Live Nation willprobably allow her to get promoted for her shit.

paisleypark4 said:

no, wb owns her old stuff. that statement was made for their investers. they are just letting them know that even though madonna is leaving, they still have one more record AND all the classics.

warner bros has to convince their shareholders that all is well. madonna leaving wb may signal the end of an era but a mass selling of shares would be the real end for wb.
[Edited 10/19/07 9:39am]

sassybritches said:

though it seems Warner-Chappelle or whatever only owns the distrubtion rights to WEBO Girl publishing for a couple more years.

ehuffnsd said:

expect tons of "Motown" madonna releases in the next 5 - 10 years..madonna #1's, Madonna's Slow Grooves, Madonna dance remix album, Madonna Greatest hits (with SOME unreleased stuff), Madonna B-Sides, Madonna video collection..the SINGLES collection...oh lawd...I can see it now :

paisleypark4 said:

20th centry masters the Plantnium Collection

remastered stuff.