Re: [ARSCLIST] Sad news about Dick Sudhalter and Decca archive

[Michael Biel <mbiel@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tom Fine wrote:
> Followup on this -- Michael, do you mean the California fire? If so, 
> are you talking about AMERICAN Decca or BRITISH Decca? 

American, of course. 

> Why would British Decca materials be stored at Universal in California?

Why indeed!  That's why it didn't even dawn on me to make a distinction!

> I can understand American Decca because it was owned by MCA. 

And then became Universal Music, which now is separate from the rest of 
Universal but had not yet removed most of the archive.

> Also, Universal Music flacks were swearing up and down that no music 
> stuff was lost in that fire in the days and weeks following the fire.

Yeah, "flacks" is the operative word.  There seems to be a mixture of 
indifference to and ignorance of the past and things that are not of 
obvious and immediate commercial value.  The operative word being 
"commercial".  Mix in embarrassment and worries about stock value.  Pay 
no attention to the rubble behind the curtain.

> What is your "confirmation" you speak of below? Not wanting a 
> flame-o-thon, just asking for facts.
>
> -- Tom Fine

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/bsnpubs/vpost?id=2968320

The "Marty" is Marty Wekser, identified as "a well-known mastering 
engineer who frequently works on compilations covering the 50s and 60s 
for labels such as Varese and Collector's Choice."

A story from the original time of the fire with initial reaction is here.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/update-universal-fire-burns-music-history/

At that time a rep of Universal -- the film side, not the music side -- 
announced that nothing was lost that was not also preserved elsewhere.  
Of course he knew nothing of the music side since that was no longer a 
part of his company.  Now we hear another interpretation of this.  While 
the content might not be lost, the form is.  For example, going back to 
the film side:

"Universal Classics sent out an e-mail notice today [June 2, 1008] to 
film bookers that nearly 100% of their 35mm. archive prints stored at 
the studio were destroyed in the fire. These copies were made available 
to arts organizations and film societies around the world. Will 
Universal make replacement prints for all these titles, or will they be 
available only in digital formats (if at all) in the future? Comment by 
L.B. --- June 2, 2008."

This was explained on 78-L today by  William A. Brent:  "the prints that 
were destroyed were the only screeners - and no one is going to
putt the negs out of cold mountain storage and make new prints - its 
just not worth it."

The films exist, just not in a form that film societies, revival 
theatres, etc want them in.  And who cares about performers forgotten by 
the masses -- and the employees -- and if the unissued material was all 
that important, why the hell didn't it get issued in the first place. 

Mike Biel    mbiel@xxxxxxxxx



> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Fine" 
> <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 6:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Sad news about Dick Sudhalter and Decca archive
>
>
> > Hi Michael:
> >
> > Could you provide some details about the Universal archive fire? When 
> > and where did this happen? I thought the Decca masters were all 
> > consolidated in a climate-controlled and "fire-proof" archive in 
> > Germany, associated with Berliner Studios.
> >
> > -- Tom Fine
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel@xxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 3:05 PM
> > Subject: [ARSCLIST] Sad news about Dick Sudhalter and Decca archive
> >
> >
> > > It is a sad day over at the 78-L and I am not going to cross-post 
> > > what is over there, but just give you heads-up.  Richard Sudhalter 
> > > passed away last night.  And there is now confirmation that the 
> > > Universal vault fire consumed the entire Decca masters from the 30s 
> > > thru the 50s.  Metal, tape, test pressings, and paper.
> > >
> > > There's no justice in the world.
> > >
> > > Mike Biel  mbiel@xxxxxxxxx