THE BIG PAYBACK: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop
by Dan Charnas
New York: New American Library/Penguin, 2010
Click here for complete list of INTERVIEWS for the entire book.
Click here for complete BIBLIOGRAPHY for the entire book.
ENDNOTES
ALBUM TWO: Genius of Rap
Pages 65-68
“The New York Yankees needed to win this one…”
This section on Cory Robbins and Tom Silverman’s Bronx outing — and the history of the Comiskey Park riot — was culled from personal interviews with Robbins and Silverman, and also from the following sources:
“1980 League Championship Series – Kansas City Royals over New York Yankees (3-0) – Baseball-Reference.com.” Baseball-Reference.com – Major League Baseball Statistics and History. http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1980_ALCS.shtml
Magazine, Vibe. The Vibe History of Hip Hop. 1st ed ed. new york: Three Rivers Press, 1999. Print.
Vettel, Phil. “Steve Dahl’s Disco Demolition at Comiskey Park – chicagotribune.com.” Chicago Tribune: Chicago breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic – chicagotribune.com. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-disco-story,0,5949381.story
Chart info: Billboard magazine
Note: The spelling of the word “discotheque” as “discoteque” is not an error. The description of the sign derives from the misspelling of the word on the sign itself, as pictured on page TK of Yes, Yes, Y’all.
Pages 68-70
“Cory Robbins was a born hit man.”
The backstory on Cory Robbins was culled from personal interviews with Robbins, Eddie O’Loughlin and Joe Tucci (p/k/a Eric Matthew).
Page 70
“At Panorama, during disco’s heyday…”
This section on the meeting of Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki was culled from personal interviews with Robbins and Plotnicki.
Pages 71-72
“When Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki decided…”
This section on the founding of Profile Records was culled from personal interviews with Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki and Joe Tucci.
Pages 73-74
“Before he met Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki…”
This section about Alonzo Brown, Andre Harrell and the birth of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr, Hyde was culled from personal interviews with Brown, Harrell, Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki, and John “Mr. Magic” Rivas.
Page 75
“‘Genius Rap’ came together quickly.”
This section about the making of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde’s “Genius Rap” was culled from personal interviews with Alonzo Brown, Andre Harrell, Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki, and Joe Tucci, and from the following source:
Tate, et al, Greg. “Hip-Hop Nation: A Special Section.” The Village Voice, January 19, 1988.
Page 76
“Andre Harrell was driving down Bruckner…”
This section about the success of “Genius Rap” was culled from personal interviews with Alonzo Brown, Andre Harrell, Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki.
Page 77
“Tom Silverman persevered in the years…”
This section about the founding of Tommy Boy Records was culled from personal interviews with Tom Silverman, Monica Lynch, and Cory Robbins, and from the following source:
Toop, David. Tommy Boy’s Greatest Beats: The First Fifteen Years 1981-1996. New York: Tommy Boy Music, 1999.
Toop, David. Rap Attack 3 African Rap to Global Hip Hop, Edition: 3. London: Serpents Tail, 2000.
Credit info: Discogs.com
Sales info: RIAA.org
Pages 80-83
“For a decade Frankie Crocker had been…”
This section on the rivalry between Frankie Crocker and Barry Mayo on New York radio was culled from personal interviews with Barry Mayo, Will Socolov, Steve Rifkind, Jules Rifkind, and Murray Elias, as well as from the following sources:
Dorf, Michael C.. “568 F.2d 1049: United States of America v. Frankie Crocker, Appellant :: US Court of Appeals Cases :: Justia.” US Law, Case Law, Codes, Statutes & Regulations :: Justia Law. http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/568/1049/288359/
Duke, Charles. “Frankie Crocker was an ORIGINAL .” Soul-Patrol. http://www.soul-patrol.com/crocker.htm
Rowe, Cleo. “Tribute to Frankie Crocker – R&B radio online.” R&B radio online – Powerhouse Radio USA – classic soul – pop – blues – dance music. http://www.powerhouseradio.com/frankiecrocker.html
Page 83
“Unbeknownst to Mayo and his rival…”
This section on the ascendance of Mr. Magic was culled from personal interviews with John “Mr. Magic” Rivas and Tyrone Williams.
Pages 84-85
“Sal Abbatiello’s Disco Fever nightclub was like a family…”
This section on the shift of Mr. Magic to WBLS was culled from personal interviews with Sal Abbatiello, Ann Carli, John “Mr. Magic” Rivas and Tyrone Williams, as well as the following source:
Jayquan. “GROWN MAN MUSIC PT.” THE FOUNDATION. http://thafoundation.com/whodini.htm
Pages 86-87
“By 1982, New York sustained a healthy crop…”
This section on the song “The Message” was culled from personal interviews with Reggie Griffin and the following sources:
Flash, Grandmaster, and David Ritz. The adventures of Grandmaster Flash my life, my beats. New York: Broadway Books, 2008.
Yes Yes Y’All: The Experience Music Project Oral History of Hip-Hop’s First Decade. New York and Washington D.C.: Da Capo Press, 2002. Print.
Chang, Jeff. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop : A History of the Hip Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005. Print.
Wilmer, Val. “Fur-Wrap.” New Musical Express 11 Dec. 1982: 8. Print.
Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.
Page 88-93
“Before Melle Mel, only one rapper…”
This section on the backstory and rise of Russell Simmons was culled from personal interviews with Rocky Ford, Russell Simmons, Kurtis Blow, Monica Lynch, Joseph “Run” Simmons, Bill Adler and Cory Robbins, and the following sources:
Adler, Bill. Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC. New Jersey: Consafos Press, 2002. Print.
Simmons, Russell. Life and Def : Sex, Drugs, Money, and God. 1st ed. New York: Crown, 2001. Print.
Simmons, Russell. Do you!: 12 laws to access the power in you to achieve happiness and success. New York, London, Sydney: Gotham Books, 20082007.
Gueraseva, Stacy. Def Jam, Inc. : Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World’s Most Influential Hip-Hop Label. ..: One World/Ballantine, 2005. Print.
Hirschberg, Lynn. “King Rap.” Vanity Fair, July 1992, 137.
Pages 93-94
“Every time Russell Simmons came out of the studio…”
This section on the signing of Run-DMC to Profile Records was culled from personal interviews with Rocky Ford, Russell Simmons, Cory Robbins, Manny Bella, Steve Plotnicki, and Eddie O’Loughlin, and the following sources:
Adler, Bill. Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC. New Jersey: Consafos Press, 2002. Print.
Simmons, Russell. Life and Def : Sex, Drugs, Money, and God. 1st ed. New York: Crown, 2001. Print.
Simmons, Russell. Do you!: 12 laws to access the power in you to achieve happiness and success. New York, London, Sydney: Gotham Books, 20082007.
Gueraseva, Stacy. Def Jam, Inc. : Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World’s Most Influential Hip-Hop Label. ..: One World/Ballantine, 2005. Print.
“Run-DMC, Episode 3.23.” Behind The Music. VH1. 20 Feb. 2000. Television.
Pages 94-96
“Just before Profile released Run-DMC’s single…”
This section on the hiring of Manny Bella as Profile’s first dedicated promotion person was culled from personal interviews with Manny Bella, Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki and Barry Mayo.
Pages 96-98
“Barry Mayo hated rap music as…”
This section on Barry Mayo and Kiss FM’s adoption of Run-DMC was culled from personal interviews with Barry Mayo, John “Mr. Magic” Rivas, Tyrone Williams, Manny Bella, Cory Robbins, Tony Quartarone, and Red Alert.
Pages 98-99
“Manny Bella spent eight hours a day…”
This section on the spread of Run-DMC’s first single across national radio was culled from personal interviews with Manny Bella, Cory Robbins, Russell Simmons and Steve Plotnicki.
Pages 99-102
“Charlie Stettler, a thirty-two-year-old Swiss émigre…”
This section on the entry of Charlie Stettler into the rap game was culled from personal interviews with Charlie Stettler, Lynda West, Russell Simmons, Bill Adler, Sal Abbatiello, John “Mr. Magic” Rivas, Tyrone Williams, Tom Silverman, and Monica Lynch; and from the following sources:
Personal archive of Charles Stettler
Latham, Aaron. “An Evening in the Nude With Gay Talese.” New York 9 July 1973
Pages 102-105
“One by one, artists got tired…”
This section on the battle between Sugar Hill Records and Tommy Boy Records was culled from personal interviews with Tom Silverman and Reggie Griffin, as well as the following sources:
Jayquan. “GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME.” THE FOUNDATION. http://thafoundation.com/klblanc.htm
Sacks, Leo. “Malcolm X Single To Tommy Boy.” Billboard, December 12, 1983.
George, Nelson. “Malcolm X Record triggers Legal Row.” Billboard, December 3, 1983.
Pages 105-107
“Two decades earlier…”
This section on the backstory of Ann Carli was culled from personal interviews with Carli and Russell Simmons, as well as the following sources:
Grand jury transcripts of malcolm X murder trial, New York Supreme Court Library (Criminal branch), New York
“Shabazz’s Grand Jury Testimony | The Smoking Gun.” The Smoking Gun: Public Documents, Mug Shots. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/shabazzs-grand-jury-testimony?page=0
White, Adam, and Melinda Newman. “The Untold Saga of the Zomba Group.” Billboard, May 5, 2001, 1.
Malan, Rian. “The $3 Billion Man.” Rollling Stone, July 25, 2002, 26.
Pages 107-109
“Four and a half years after the first rap record…”
This section on Run-DMC’s “Rock Box” becoming the first rap video on MTV was culled from personal interviews with Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki, Russell Simmons, Manny Bella, Bill Adler, and Joseph “Run” Simmons, as well as the following source:
Adler, Bill. Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC. New Jersey: Consafos Press, 2002. Print.
Pages 109-110
“The summer of Run-DMC was also the summer…”
This section on Kiss FM’s victory over WBLS was culled from personal interviews with Barry Mayo and Tony Quartarone.
Ratings info: Billboard magazine
Pages 110-111
“Cedric Walker arrived for his meeting…”
This section on the birth of the Fresh Fest was culled from personal interviews with Cedric Walker and Russell Simmons.
Page 111
“Russell Simmons rented office space from…”
This section on the alliance of Russell Simmons and Cedric Walker was culled from personal interviews with Walker, Simmons, Rocky Ford, J.B. Moore and Bill Adler.
Pages 112-114
“Charlie Stettler was livid…”
This section on the Fat Boys was culled from personal interviews with Charlie Stettler, Cedric Walker, Russell Simmons, and Lynda West, as well as the following sources:
James, Tommy, and Martin Fitzpatrick. Me, the mob, and the music: one helluva ride with Tommy James and the Shondells. New York: Scribner, 2010.
Personal archive of Charles Stettler
Author’s note: Charles Stettler tells a very different story about his encounter with Russell Simmons and Cedric Walker vis-a-vis the Fresh Fest. Stettler says he initially came to know about the Fresh Fest when Simmons and Walker barged into his office, with Simmons accusing Stettler of being exploitive to Black people with his image making of the Fat Boys. After a back-and-forth, Stettler says, Simmons challenged him to bring in sponsors for the tour in order to win a spot on the bill for the Fat Boys. Both Russell Simmons and Cedric Walker say that this story isn’t true. Simmons maintains that the Fat Boys were essentially family — they were produced by his first client, Kurtis Blow — and that he was happy to have them on the tour. Walker, for his part, remembers a version of the story very similar to Simmons. Therefore, I decided to use Simmons and Walker’s version of the story, which I found the most convincing, for the book’s narrative.
Pages 114-116
“Run-DMC’s album sold more every week…”
This section on the triumph of Run-DMC was culled from personal interviews with Russell Simmons, Joseph “Run” Simmons, Cory Robbins, Steve Plotnicki, Manny Bella, Bill Adler, Liz Nealon, Gail Sparrow, Bob Pittman, Cedric Walker, Charlie Stettler and Ann Carli, and from the following source:
Adler, Bill. Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC. New Jersey: Consafos Press, 2002. Print.
Sales info: RIAA.org
Page 117
“Barry Mayo’s final wish came true.”
This section on the vanquishing of Frankie Crocker was culled from personal interviews with Barry Mayo, John “Mr. Magic” Rivas, Tyrone Williams, Manny Bella, as well as the following sources.
Williams, Monte. “Frankie Crocker, a Champion Of Black-Format Radio, Dies.” The New York Times, October 24, 2000
Page 117
“Alonzo Brown had grown bitter.”
This section on the breakup of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde was culled from personal interviews with Alonzo Brown, Andre Harrell, Russell Simmons, Cory Robbins and Steve Plotnicki.
Pages 117-119
“Once more, the hits dried up…”
This section on the demise of Sugar Hill Records was culled from personal interviews with Dianne Harris and Donna Ward, as well as the following sources:
“Music Videos.” 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks – In the News. http://www.40acres.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:music-videos&catid=17:jointography&Itemid=86
Knoedelseder, WIlliam. Stiffed: a true story of MCA, the music business, and the Mafia. new york: Harperperennial, 19941993.
George, Nelson. Hip Hop America. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics), 1999. Print.
James, Tommy, and Martin Fitzpatrick. Me, the mob, and the music: one helluva ride with Tommy James and the Shondells. New York: Scribner, 2010.
Dannen, Fredric. Hit Men. 1st ed. New York: Crown, 1990. Print.