While we have the writers strike going on here in the States, our friends in the UK have a whole different type of protest. British popster Robbie Williams has officially gone on strike in protest of EMI’s takeover by a private equity firm. Although it wouldn’t have done him much good here on our shores, in his homeland he has sold 70 million records. His strike is in the form of holding his new album, which is due for release in September.
In an interview with The Times, Williams’ manager Tim Clark said: “The question is, ‘Should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?’ We have to say the answer is ‘No’. We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album. They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff.”
Williams is currently considering an online release a la Radiohead for his upcoming tunes, which are being worked on by producer Mark Ronson. He also wants control of his back catalog as well. With artists such as Coldplay and Damon Albarn less than thrilled with the current state of affairs with the Terra Firma’s takeover of EMI, it will be a very interesting year for the music industry.
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