NY Times, Sept. 2007: Can Rick Rubin Save The Music Business?
The answer? Not quite. For all the hype surrounding Rick Rubin’s arrival at Columbia Records, you’d be hard pressed to name any acts he’s signed let alone Sony artists that he’s produced other than Neil Diamond, often referred to as “The Jewish Elvis”. He’s in the studio with Crosby, Stills & Nash, but his Sony tenure has mostly been highlighted by producing Mettalica, Josh Groban and a number of other non-Sony acts. But let’s face it. Obviously he’s a talented producer. But one who has redefined quirkiness.
I was listening to the Howard Stern Show last week when Howard, who is a friend of Rick’s, let fly that Rick refuses to talk on the phone any longer. He will only communicate by text message or email. And I think that he’s so crazy that he only communicates with his staff this way, even if they’re in the same room! Howard has recounted on several occasions his story of attending a party at Rubin’s Malibu estate where several celebs were in attendance. The really strange thing was that they weren’t speaking to each other. All of the guests were sitting around the room texting each other. It’s also been reported that, other than the studio, he never leaves his house–everyone has to go to him. So I guess that means that if any Sony guys need to meet with him they have to fly out from New York, go out to Malibu, sit down with Rick in his office and start texting!
As Howard said, when you’re eccentric everyone wants to talk to you. And if Rick started taking calls, no one would want him. Go figure.
© 2009, Wayne Rosso. All rights reserved.
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