How did HITS, which began life as an irreverent—and arguably irrelevant—radio tip sheet/scabrous gossip rag and morphed into, um, whatever this is, survive the myriad evolutions, revolutions and involutions of the music business for four decades?
We wish we knew. But one thing’s for sure: We wouldn’t still be cranking out our misbegotten mag and its disreputable digital Double without you: your loyal readership, your discreetly tendered rumors and, not least, your advertising cheddar.
So you only have yourselves to blame.
With the 40th Anni already on the horizon—if you listen carefully, you can hear it wheezing—we thought we’d get an early start on our quadragennial year with this Grammy-centric batch of photos featuring folks we know in formalwear.
Columbia's Lauryn Hill, who won eight Grammys, is pictured with the three powerhouse execs who were known collectively as Team Fuhgeddaboudit. Seen before crushing every object in their path are, from left, Michele Anthony, Hill, Tommy Mottola and Donnie Ienner.
Does calling someone a “hockey puck” constitute a microaggression? This was among the weighty subjects explored by comedy great Don Rickles, Warner label magnate Joe Smith and rock & roll co-founder Little Richard. Later, nobody got canceled.
UMG's Boyd Muir, erstwhile Bravado chief Mat Vlasic, Mercury's Tyler Arnold, UMG Germany boss Frank Briegmann, Mercury's Ben Adelson and Republic ruler Monte Lipman are seen experiencing that mysterious, shivery sensation that means your market share has gone up another point.
This 1995 tableau finds PointBlank Records president John Wooler with legendary artist-songwriter Isaac Hayes, former Virgin Music Group boss Ken Berry and the late, great Phil Quartararo, then jefe of Virgin Records America. Later, Nancy showed up and this photo had to be restaged.
The legendary Clive Davis, who is arguably to Grammy season what Santa is to Christmas, is seen here with incomparable singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (10 wins). Later, Clive urged his security team to keep us out of his party's zip code.
Paul Simon (16 wins) and industry great Mo Ostin firmly declared that we were not to call them Al.
Publishing giant Marty Bandier poses with creative geniuses Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers and Sia as well as filmmaker Erik Anders Lang. Later, there were Cohibas.
What was then-EMI boss Alain Levy about to say to artist Joan Osborne? We may never know, but it was undoubtedly funnier in the original French. Seen humming "My Cherie Amour" continuously at Levy's request are, from left, Andre Harrell, Stevie Wonder, Levy, Osborne, Clarence Avant and Danny Goldberg. The seated woman has not been identified, but she'd like to enjoy her bubbly in peace, if you don't mind.
As this pic was being snapped, Dick Asher, then head of Polygram, asked Andrew Lloyd Webber if he could put him in touch with Jesus' people to ask about a solo album.
Quincy Jones was one of the most renowned composers, producers, arrangers and bandleaders of the modern era, as well as a respected record executive and philanthropist. Former Recording Academy boss Michael Greene, um, had a beard.
"I'm not sure if my next song will be about a bunny or a doggie," declared "Weird Al" Yankovic while flanked by Tom Corson and Peter Edge, "but either way, it'll be hilarious."
Terry Semel and Bob Daly tell Freddy DeMann and Allen Grubman about the amazing stuff they have planned for the next fiscal quarter. Later, the two parachuted out a window.
Then-Capitol boss Bhaskar Menon and exec Jack Satter, seen here with hard-rock troupe Vixen, brainstorm a groundbreaking JV with Aqua Net.