Music Industry

The music industry seems to be hurtling towards a serious come-to-Jesus #MeToo moment. About time.

While most #MeToo allegations and the #TimesUp movement have focused on the movie and TV industries, it’s only a matter of time before things blow up for the music industry, too. And it will be about time. We need to watch carefully as things unfold.

  1. Charlie Walk, the executive at Republic Records accused of sexual misconduct and harrassment, has been suspended by parent Universal Music Group.
  2. His accuser has spoken out after being called a liar. Tristan Coopersmith is very brave and her experiences are being corroborated by other women–and men.
  3. Meanwhile, Walk has retained Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer. He needs legal representation, but the optics of hiring Weinstein’s lawyer are…you know, weird.
  4. Neil Portnow, the head of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences–i.e. the people who run the Grammys–has backpedaled from his “women need to step up” comments…
  5. …and has struck a task force designed to prevent another #GrammysSoMale…
  6. …but not before female record executives started calling for his resignation
  7. …and 10,000 signatures were collected on a petition to have him ousted.

I’m working on a column for Global News on the subject for next weekend. This is only going to get uglier. But the stories need to come out.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39372 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “The music industry seems to be hurtling towards a serious come-to-Jesus #MeToo moment. About time.

  • Alan, I have to wonder about all the 60’s era groupies and just how many were under 18. Isn’t that just a ticking time bomb waiting to take everyone out?

    Reply

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