No Business Like Show Business

Summary

The text reflects on the unpredictable nature of success in the music industry, emphasizing the significant role of luck alongside talent and ambition.

Abstract

The article delves into the personal experiences of a music industry veteran who echoes Joan Rivers' sentiment that show business is equally comprised of talent, ambition, and luck. The author recounts their time backing the Crystals and Shirelles, noting that despite only one member having musical talent, all became iconic figures due to fortunate circumstances. The narrative highlights the arbitrary nature of fame, citing examples like Milli Vanilli and the author's own brush with success in a music project that fell short of hitting the mark. The author concludes that despite having ambition and some talent, they lacked the necessary luck to achieve enduring fame in the music business.

Opinions

The author agrees with Joan Rivers' assertion that luck is a crucial component of success in show business.
The author suggests that musical talent is not always a prerequisite for success, as evidenced by their personal experiences with the Crystals and Shirelles.
Studio professionals often compensated for the lack of singing ability in high school girls who were chosen to front live performances.
The author believes that being in the right place at the right time can lead to long-term success, regardless of talent level.
Despite having ambition and some talent, the author feels that their career lacked the luck needed to achieve significant success in the music industry.
The author implies a sense of irony in the fact that they made their money not through their musical endeavors but through advertising escorts.

Where luck plays a major role

Matteo Stroppaghetti — Unsplash

The late and great Joan Rivers once said (to the best of my recollection) “show business is one-third talent, one-third ambition, and one-third luck.” As a veteran of the music business, that statement always struck a chord in my soul. In 25 words or less, Joan had essentially broken show business down to its essence.

So last night I was watching a rock and roll show (on the cable) all about “The Spector Years” (as in Phil Spector, legendary music producer). I myself never met Phil Spector (though my brother did on a recording session my father — who was Phil’s arranger on the recording date — attended when I was too young to take the train to New York). But on the show were several anecdotes and photos of the Crystals and Shirelles.

Now those girls I knew well, having led their backup bands on the road. We traveled in cars, ate in diners, and slept in the same motels together.

A wave of nostalgia broke over me as I saw my old traveling mates. There was Mickey, and Beverly, And Doris, and Didi. Not only did I recognize their faces — but even remembered their names.

But here’s what struck me most: Of those four original members who remained on the road with the bands in the mid-70’s when I was backing them, only one had any musical talent. The other three could barely sing! Yet there they were — musical icons of a bygone era — regardless.

To think of all the talented show biz aspirants who get nowhere in their pursuit of fame and fortune. How did these girls get so lucky? Easy! They were plucked right out of high school by music business executives (Phil or otherwise) to sing the hit songs Brill Building writers were composing.

If they couldn’t sing, it didn’t really matter. Studio pros could record the records — and the high school girls could front the live gigs. It happened all the time. Ever hear of Milli Vanilli?

Anyway…watching the show I was reminded of Joan’s sagacious words. Those girls really excelled at one-third of the formula. They got lucky!

Back in my own music business days, I wrote a rap with Joey Dee’s 13 year-old son while we were on the road with his father — and generated some interest with a real record company. Joey’s son found some 16 year-old high school girls to be part of the group. I found the lead rapper, who was the daughter of a friend of mine.

The record was released in the US, Germany, and the Netherlands…sold a few copies…and that was it. It wasn’t a hit. But let’s say for example, it had been. The lead rapper wasn’t terribly good. And the two background girls were completely without talent. All they had to do was say “get fresh boy” on cue a few times.

But what if that record had become a huge hit? You got it! Those girls would have been on the road for the next ten or twenty years earning a living simply for being at the right place at the right time. Just blind luck.

When it comes to my own show business career…I had ambition…and I had some talent…but the luck part? There I fell short.

Here’s a few of my songs/productions/arrangements that could have been hits: What are ya gonna do? I made my money in advertising escorts. That was where I finally got lucky!