Category:[world] [CHINA] [National]
The US music entrepreneur who made Madonna famous says this century belongs to countries like China and India. Seymour Stein talks to Jenny Hammond and says almost 1.3 billion Chinese represent the next big thing.

"Music man" Seymour Stein, though his name may not be recognizable to most people, has had more influence on the modern music industry than most people whose names and voices are on gold and platinum records.

As a music entrepreneur, Stein's career spans more than 50 years. He has signed some of the world's leading talents, such as The Cult, K.D. Lang and the queen of pop, Madonna. As CEO and co-founder of Sire Records, New Yorker Stein is known for always being able to spot the next big thing.

On a trip here last week, Stein spoke about his life as a "music man," and what he sees as the future for his industry.

The industry has been vastly transformed since 1966, as technology has advanced from records to tape to CDs. "Now, however, we are grappling with the Internet that allows you to seemingly pull music out of the air, while alternative music markets are booming."

Stein visited briefly, saying: "I am not here to sign new talent but rather to just get a foothold here. It is a given that this century belongs to countries like China and India. So the future depends on helping to develop Chinese and other alternative markets. There are almost a billion and a half people here and that is a huge market."

Offering an example, he says, "Sixty years ago when China was changing, there was a hit song written by Yao Li called 'Make Way.' That song survived and five years later in 1951 it emerged in the United States by Frankie Laine called 'Rose, Rose I Love You'.

"It was in English but still was very Mandarin and was a huge success. So if something like that can happen then, why not now?"

This kind of drive and insight put Stein where he is today, as an influential figure in the world of music.

He began simply as a music fan. "I lived in a small apartment and the radio was always switched on. So by the time I was 13 I decided all I wanted to do was be in the record business."

From that point his future was sealed. "At 14 I went to work for Billboard magazine after school, researching and writing stories. The great thing about working at Billboard was that it was the hub of the record business. I got to meet many head people and some of the big stars of the time, leading me to start Sire Records with producer Richard Gottehrer in 1966."

It was a cutthroat business, Stein continued, "only about one or two out of 100 bands or talents eventually get signed."

Now 50 years later he is still running Sire Records with his new partner, Michael Goldstone who joined the company four years ago.

However, with mavericks on his company's label, such as Madonna, Stein has proved that he can pick the best.

"The difference between me and other labels is that most people err on the side of caution and wait to sign talent. I never wait. But, I don't feel responsible for an artist's success because I did not give them their talent. I just believed in them," he says.

An example of this was Madonna herself.

"I met her through DJ Mark Kamins. He wanted to become a producer, but with no track record, established artists did not want to work with him. I told him to go out and find the acts himself. I gave him a budget and he came back with Madonna. I was in the hospital at the time. When I heard her demo of 'Everybody' I got so excited, I signed her right away."

However, "for every five people I sign there is usually only one that becomes very successful. But you must have courage and faith in your artists and not be held back by the fear of being wrong. This is what sets me apart."

On his recent visit to Shanghai, Stein was invited to meet some local talent.

"China is great at copying, so bands here can be influenced by Western artists, but they should make sure they are not a carbon copy. Bands like The Honey's are good because they are influenced by Western bands like U2 but they still include Chinese instruments, making them unique," says Stein.

He offers some tips to aspiring artists: "Be prepared to assemble a team that will believe and work with you. However, you must be the hardest working member. Be able to take rejection and pick your battles.

"In this industry you will have to make some concessions, although the last one should be with the music."

US music man: China the next huge thing(Over)
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