Time of the Season Benefit Concert was an evening of glorious emotion starring Brian Wilson, The Zombies, and many more.
A star-studded event at the L.A. House of Blues celebrated a true hero of the record industry: Paul Atkinson, top ten artist turned star-maker who signed Abba and helped the careers of Aerosmith, Eurythmics, Beach Boys, Lyle Lovett, B.B. King, Elton John, Tom Petty and Pink Floyd - a report by The G-Man.
(PRWEB) October 11, 2004 -- The record business showed its human side when it came together to honor a lifetime of achievement by legendary A&R executive Paul Atkinson while rocking out to finely-crafted music from the sixties through the present day.
In his nearly four decades of success, Atkinson displayed a rare level of taste, wit, style, charm, and good will. He began as part of the most inventive of the British Invasion bands, The Zombies, whose gorgeous harmonies, infectious hooks and intriguing jazz-pop blend made huge sellers of "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season."
TOP TEN TO TOP A&R.
Switching from top ten artist to industry executive, Atkinson went on to head the A&R departments of three of the top five major labels, and his contributions ranged from artist development and production to global marketing and catalog development in both the U.S. and Europe.
He signed ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr. Mister, and Michael Penn, among many others (as several people noted during the evening, "He has ears.") He also worked with Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Eurythmics, The Beach Boys, Lyle Lovett, B.B. King, Elton John, Tom Petty and Pink Floyd.
Atkinson also launched Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label (O'Jays, Three Degrees, Billy Paul) in the UK, supervised the UK early campaigns for Bruce Springsteen, managed marketing plans for The Clash and all CBS UK artists, partnered in a syndicated radio programming firm, and co-founded the first nationally distributed Internet-based enhanced CD record label and production studio.
Tess Taylor, President of the National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) and a member of the blue-ribbon event committee which produced the tribute, noted that "Paul Atkinson is the epitome of class, one of the truly kind, talented and honest people in the record business, which makes him rare enough. He also achieved top-tier success as both an artist and an executive which he then sustained for over three decades, a phenomenal accomplishment." This is a testament to his tenacity, skill and ability to be flexible, maneuver with changes over the years and stay in the game when so many others - artists and executives - have fallen by the wayside.
Many would be content to rest on such high laurels, but through 2003, Atkinson served as a consultant to Warner Strategic Marketing on the Frank Sinatra Reprise catalogue. He also produced a 101-song Nat King Cole Classic Singles Collection boxed set for EMI/Capitol Records, and has guided several independent labels on talent acquisition.
PERSONAL TRAGEDY.
Health became a huge issue for Atkinson in recent years, having undergone two liver transplants, kidney failure (he was on dialysis and awaiting a transplant at the time of the HOB benefit) and had been diagnosed with biliary cancer. Medical bills skyrocketed, hence the need for a benefit concert.
With a blue-ribbon committee of industry professionals working at a feverish pace, a fundraising concert and silent auction was assembled in just six weeks. Performers, each of whom has reason to thank Atkinson for help or guidance during their careers, included Brian Wilson, Michael Penn, Patty Smyth, Richard Page of Mr. Mister, Colin Blunstone with Rod Argent, Mickey Thomas, and opener Bruce Hornsby. Great as many of their performances were, there was a singular event that transcended everything else.
HEART-STOPPING PERFORMANCE.
For the first time on stage in America since 1965, Paul Atkinson strapped on his guitar and joined vocalist Colin Blunstone, keyboardist Rod Argent, bassist Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy, thus reuniting all five original members of The Zombies.
The audience went nuts.
Naturally, a standing ovation greeted them, but there was more than anticipation in the air; there were concerns, too. Could they pull off those sleek harmonies? Are they still able to mix pop, jazz, and rock? Hell, some even wondered if they would be any good at all.
Good did not begin to describe it. They were magnificent. Blunstone sounds like an ethereal choirboy. White, Grundy and Atkinson created enticing rhythms. And Argent is a fluid dynamo on organ. They played just two songs, but it was ten minutes of magic that no one in the room is likely to forget. Launching into "Time of the Season," there was a gasp from many in the audience at how brilliant the band sounded. The song reached intoxicating heights of emotion. At the final chord, the crowd rose to its feet with a roar of approval.
With barely time to catch our breath, they unleashed "She's Not There" and we were on another rollercoaster ride of melody and elation. And yes, there was a third standing ovation afterwards.
To say that The Zombies were the hit of the evening is an understatement, but there were other superb performances during the evening, including those of Page and Smyth, plus a 30-minute mini-concert from Brian Wilson and his 9-piece ensemble. Sometimes cacophonous but often enthralling, their new take on Beach Boys classics is a complete delight.
SMOOTH PRESENTATION.
With emcee Shadoe Stevens smoothly guiding the event, there was a non-stop outpouring of accolades for Atkinson. This culminated in Neil Portnow presenting The Recording Academy President's Merit Award to Atkinson. In addition, dozens of industry professionals praised Atkinson's character and accomplishments via video, including Adam White, VP, Communications, Universal Music International, Walter Yetnikoff, the legendary head of CBS Records, and Paul Shaffer, currently musical director for David Letterman but a member of Scandal when Atkinson first signed that band.
JOINING IN THE CAUSE.
While the event raised a considerable sum and the silent auction raised an additional twenty-five thousand dollars, this still falls short of what is needed. Warner Strategic Marketing is spearheading efforts to continue the auction online via eBay. Meanwhile, proceeds will benefit the Atkinson Family Trust to assist with the extreme financial burden placed upon the family by Atkinson's long continuing illness, with funding also provided to The Gift of Life of Foundation and United Network For Organ Sharing [www.unos.org], both of which promote organ donor awareness.
PAUL ATKINSON, 1946-2004.
Paul Atkinson died in April, 2004. Please make monetary donations to: "Atkinson Family Trust," c/o Klein & Company, 11726 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 420, Los Angeles, CA 90049, or, to participate in the online auctions, please visit:
http://members.ebay.com/ws2/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=rhino-auctions
BEHIND THE SCENES.
The blue-ribbon event committee which worked to organize and stage this event in just six weeks included such top industry execs as:
Ron Alexenburg, President, Alexenburg Entertainment Group
Susan Blond, President, Susan Blond, Inc.
Susan Clary, Big Monkey PR
Rick Dobbis, President, Sony Music International
Jimmy Edwards, VP, Marketing, Warner Strategic Marketing
George Ghiz, President, Mogul Entertainment Group, Inc.
Gary Gilbert, Esq., Baker & Hostetler
Robin Hurley, VP of Home Video, Warner Strategic Marketing
Bennett Kaufman, Moir Marie Entertainment
Martin Kirkup, President, Direct Management Group
Kory Klein, President, Klein & Co. Business Management, Committee Chair
Rob Light, Creative Artists Agency
Michael Lippman, President, Lippman Entertainment
Harold Owens, Director, Musicares - The Recording Academy
Shadoe Stevens, Television & Radio Personality
Bernie Taupin
Tess Taylor, President, National Association of Record Industry Professionals
Larry Vallon, Senior VP, House of Blues Concerts
Scott G, a member of NARIP and NARAS, records as THE G-MAN. His music may be found on iTunes, at www.delvianrecords.com, www.myspace.com/thegman, and www.gmanmusic.com.
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