Between the Lines

Record industry insiders are still buzzing about MCA Records chairman Irving Azoff’s surprise announcement of Al Teller as new president of the label, replacing Myron Roth, who moves over to MCA’s Music Entertainment Group. No one questions the choice of Teller, who has impeccable credentials as an organization whiz after running CBS Records for much of the ‘80s. (Teller was unceremoniously fired earlier this year after an apparent falling-out with CBS Records chief Walter Yetnikoff.) What did surprise industry observers was Azoff’s abrupt change of heart. According to several key industry players, Azoff had repeatedly denied any plans to hire Teller, whom he openly--and bluntly--criticized in conversations with leading industry figures.

The official MCA announcement also raised eyebrows with its curt handling of Roth, who MCA insiders say deserves considerable credit for the label’s success over the past years. While the two-page MCA announcement lionized Teller, it devoted only one noncommittal sentence to Roth’s transfer. Since label press releases routinely heap praise on incoming and outgoing execs, this throwaway remark was widely interpreted as both a snub toward Roth and a signal that the label is keeping Roth at arm’s distance, perhaps because of his highly publicized role defending MCA business dealings with reputed mobster Sal Pisello.

Regarding his decision to hire Teller, Azoff explained: “During the past year, the MCA Music Group has grown to be much more than a record company. We now have three record labels, a management company, a music publishing firm, a video distribution outlet, a merchandising firm and a group of amphitheaters to operate around the country. There’s so much more for me to do now that I don’t even have time to listen to tapes anymore. It finally got to the point where I realized I needed another Irving--a guy who the industry perceived as a major signer (executive).”

Azoff denied badmouthing Teller in the months before his arrival. “I did deny the rumors that he was coming here because they weren’t true. We didn’t decide to do this deal until two days before we announced it, which is why it shocked everybody. It was only after the completion of our Motown acquisition--and the early success we had with Uni Records--that I realized we needed another major player here.”

Asked if he had any regrets concerning the announcement of Roth’s departure, Azoff replied “None.” He added: “After our Motown acquisition, Myron and I talked about the label needing a higher-profile guy. Myron agreed to that. He’s been offered two major positions within the Entertainment Group. I’m not telling you that Myron loved this (Teller’s appointment)--or that he won’t leave the company. He’s on vacation and his status is uncertain. But I do predict that Myron and I will be friends forever.”