Thursday, August 24, 2023
Friday, July 21, 2023
Queensryche's First Gold Album "Empire"
Queensryche is honored here at a award ceremony in 1990 at the height of their popularity with their first gold record "Empire". The group was a Seattle Progressive Metal Band that received global recognition. Their monster hit single from the LP was titled "Silent Lucidity" and peaked on Billboard at #9 while their album broke into the Top Ten Chart at #7. Pictured (L-R) EMI NW Regional Promotion Mgr.-Phillip Rauls, bassist-Eddie Jackson, vocalist-Geoff Tate, drummer-Scott Rockenfield, guitarist-Michael Wilton, EMI West Coast Marketing Dir.-Rob Gordon and guitarist-Chris Degarmo. Queensryche has released 16 studio albums and several DVD's and continue to tour and record to this day.
Sunday, May 07, 2023
Red Hot Chilli Peppers with EMI's Phillip Rauls
The leading radio & record industry publication, "Hits Magazine" used a front page issue to showcase their twisted humor and spotlight a 1989 photo of EMI Records NW Regional Promotional & Marketing Director Phillip Rauls (L) along with the current hottest alternative band in America, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Photo featured here from an album release party in Seattle during an era when people skills played a paramount role in the breaking of a new band. If a picture could tell a thousand words...
Thursday, April 06, 2023
Look, up in the sky. It's a bird or a plane.
Last month while visiting Hawaii for my birthday, we rented a car and drove Southbound from Kona to Hilo on Hwy. #11 on the Big Island. As we rounded a curve on the highway....I couldn't believe my very eyes! We were immediately perplexed by what we saw. In the sky and above our head was a giant circular-shaped cloud that was moving and resembled what I thought looked like a monster UFO. Immediately, cars began pulling over to the side of the road as people were getting out of their vehicles and pointing upwards towards the object. Now, I've been taking photos for a long time but this sight was a very first for me. After reviewing my images and careful study, I found this was called a 'Lenticular Cloud.' It is one of the most rarest types of clouds that form in the atmosphere. The National Weather Service offered this esoteric explanation full of scientific jargon saying; "They are associated with waves in the atmosphere that develop when relatively stable, fast-moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-lever is blowing." Huh! I thought the NWS must be tripping. Anyway, the wife says "It looks like a giant stack of golden pancakes floating in the air." So, without having lunch and with my GPS in search, I immediately sought-out the nearest location of a IHOP Restaurant to order some golden brown flapjacks that was smothered in delicious maple syrup. Yum! Got camera?
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Promoting Recording Artists From The Heart of Rock & Roll Music In The Early to-mid1980's
In the early-to-mid 1980's, Rauls Music was a promotion & marketing agency that operated towards the growth and development of recording artists and their associated records. Pictured here is a trade magazine advertisement and description of the services provided while targeting towards the record companies, artists management firms and industry investors. Many aspiring bands and recording artists benefited from this grass roots purveyor.
Monday, February 13, 2023
Turn Back The Clock With George Thorogood
Thursday, January 26, 2023
There's a First Time For Everything...
Additional hazards include Pele's hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from lava fountains that will fall downwind and dust the ground within a few hundred meters (yards) of the erupting fissure vent(s). Strong winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents should minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation.
Other significant hazards also remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008.
Copyright (c) Phillip Rauls 2023 - Content Protected - Duplication Restricted
Friday, December 30, 2022
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Plaque Exhibits STAX Records Phillip Rauls
In the year 1974 STAX Records President Jim Stewart was going full steam ahead with the label's aggressive pursuit into the lucrative Pop Music field. Consulted by the label's influential Pop Music experts such as artist/producer Don Nix, Stax Attorney Craig Benson, Ardent Studio's John Fry and Pop Music coordinator Phillip Rauls, the label weaved their coordinated efforts with the marketing muscle and distribution system of CBS Records.
With STAX and Ardent artists on the road and touring the country, big results were anticipated.
Fast forward the story to November 2022 when retired record industry executive, photographer and book author Phillip Rauls created an archived plaque for exhibit displaying his photographs with an original classic basketball jersey from STAX's corporate team from that very time period. The jersey is surrounded by album jackets from that memorable era with pics featuring (top to bottom) Rauls, Larry Raspberry and Don Nix, Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper and with album covers of Booker T. & The MG's, Larry Raspberry & The Highsteppers, Don Nix and Big Star. Top right features Rauls standing in front of the business offices at the entrance of STAX Records and below that with him wearing the original basketball jersey from the mid-1970's.
The plaque stands a 2' 30" long and 2' 26" wide. Licensing inquires are welcomed.
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Saluting Radio Veteran Mr. Henry Nelson
Thursday, August 18, 2022
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart(s)
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Stroll Down Memory Lane with "Phillip's Lens"
If you're feeling inquisitive and longing for something to enlighten your soul with a lift of merriment & eye candy, take a bodacious stroll down memory lane for a nostalgic visit captured thru the visual perspective of "Phillip's Lens"
Thursday, June 09, 2022
Annual "Summit At The Deli" in Seattle
Photo titled; "Summit at the Deli" (circa 2011) as the Northwest radio & record community were a tight group of professionals. After the late Stan Foreman retired and moved to Palm Springs, he would return once every summer to Seattle and meet at the Lake Union Deli for a reunion of old friends. (L-R) Fred Zaehler-former MCA Records, Gary Crow-former KZOK-KISW Radio, Phillip Rauls-former EMI Records, and Stan Foreman-former Capital Records.
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Monday, April 18, 2022
Monday, March 21, 2022
Friday, February 04, 2022
The 1972 Tour & Release of Stephen Stills' Manassas Album On Atlantic Brings The Troops
Here's a flashback of yesteryear: From 1972, here's a photo of former Atlantic Records promo exec. Phillip Rauls and 'Manassas' Road Manager Buddy Zoloth (1948-2007) while traveling to the next tour gig when suddenly they discovered a scaving review in Rolling Stone Magazine of Stephen Stills' new album and group Manassas. The real issue here was that Stills and Manassas were packing areas and concert halls and FM Radio airplay for the Manassas's album was blanketing the airwaves. Yet, the negative review was saying just the opposite. As you can see, the shock from both tour members reading the contradicting article was definitely worth a Kodak moment. Their reaction was, "Say wha....."
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Red Hot Chilli Peppers First Gold Record
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the original bad-boys of alternative rock and funk music. Their first gold record was on EMI Records titled "Mother's Milk." Seen here from 1991 is EMI Records Phillip Rauls with band members Chad Smith, Flea, John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis. With over 70 million albums and 50 million singles sold worldwide, they are one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are the most successful band in the history of alternative rock, with the records for most number-one singles (13), most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.[3] They have won six Grammy Awards, and in 2012 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Saturday, October 09, 2021
Dan Hill's album "Longer Fuse" Hit Gold Status
Pictured below from the Hollywood office of 20th Century Fox Records is Dan Hill discussing a forthcoming tour and promotion plan with 20th's V.P. of Promotion Barry Goldberg.
Monday, September 27, 2021
Jane Wiedlin's "Fur" Album Produces Hit Single
In 1988 EMI Records released an album by noted singer/musician Jane Wiedlin titled "Fur" that produced the hit single 'Rush Hour' while peaking at #9 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Wiedlin was also the co-founder of the 'Go-Go's' who became the first successful all-female rock band ("We Got The Beat"). Plus, she was an accomplished actress while appearing in numerous films.
Pictured below at an music industry function is Jane Wiedlin with EMI Records Northwest Promotion and Marketing Manager Phillip Rauls.
Also
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Joel Selvin's Book "Here Comes the Night" the Story of Music Genius Bert Berns Gets 5 Stars
Perhaps one reason this book captured my keen interest is mainly because I too worked for Atlantic Records. In addition to that, in the mid-to-late 1960’s I promoted the new releases for Bang Records while working at the regional record distributor in Memphis, Hot Line Records. It seems that in every chapter of Selvin's book I read the names of people that I had worked with and fraternized with at various music functions including Berns widow, Ilene Berns. As a matter of fact, Ilene Berns took over running the record label after her husband died suddenly in 1967 as a result of a rheumatic heart condition. Bern's wife, who has also since passed away, and their son, were heavily resourced in the making of this fine book. The developments of my connections came through working for both Atlantic Records and Hot Line Record Distributor which promoted and marketed the label, Bang Records. And I'm not going to lie to you but until reading this great book, I didn't have a clue that somehow I had reached full-circle.
Consider Joel Selvin’s book a classic as his background as a
noted writer started as a music critic for The San Francisco Chronicle. From
there, he has written many articles including those in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone
Magazine, Billboard and Melody Maker. Plus, he has written many outstanding books all focusing on the music scene and pop culture.
Monday, August 09, 2021
Northwest Promo Legend Stan Foreman Passes
Sad news. It was announced Sunday, Aug. 8th that former Capitol Records NW Promotion Director Mr. Stan Foreman has passed away. Pictured here in the Capitol-EMI Records office on Lake Union in Seattle in the late 1980's is Stan (sitting) with Phillip Rauls (R) while enjoying an afternoon discussion. Stan was my close business associate and good friend. When I first moved to Seattle in the mid-1980's, it was Stan who introduced me to all the important movers-and-shakers in the business community and taught me the streets. RIP Mr. Stan Foreman. You will be missed.
Wednesday, August 04, 2021
Two Original Rock Music Record Promoters Share A Rare 1975 Photo-Op Moment
Here's a classic photograph deep from the image archive: Two trailblazing promoters hailing from Memphis and landing in the music biz during the early rock music era. Both party's long music industry backgrounds reads like an Encyclopedia Britannica. Pictured here (from circa 1975) as Phillip Rauls (L) and Phil Rush (R) actually knew each other in High School as Rauls was from Treadwell High and Rush from neighboring Bartlett High. Rauls broke into the business first in the mid-1960's as the road manager of the noted garage band The Gentrys and later hired by STAX Records as local promo manager. From there he went Hot Line Record Distributor as Mid-South promo mgr. Rauls later had successful career stints with Atlantic Records, 20th Century Fox Records and then in the mid-to-late 1980's to the mid-1990's as NW Regional mgr. with EMI Records. Phil Rush came onboard at Hot Line Distributor the early 1970's as promo mgr. when RCA Records noticed him and snatched-him up as their local RCA record rep. Rush later joined Capricorn Records in the mid-1970's where he had a successful run with the Macon GA based rock label. Both Rauls and Rush were well-respected record guys long before the promotion business bandwagon became a herd mentality.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Bobby McFerrin's Historic Ride with His Monster Number #1 Hit Record "Don't Worry Be Happy"
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
A Blast From The Past From The Year 1991
When the national music publication 'Hitmakers Magazine' held their Seattle Seminar in 1991, here is a selected photograph from the magazine that featured the radio and record executives: (L-R) Kevin Chase-KMOK Radio P.D./M.D. Lewiston, ID - Phillip Rauls-EMI Records Regional Promo Mgr. Seattle, WA - Paul Walker-OK95 Radio P.D. Tri-Cities, WA - and Jay Stevens-KFTZ Radio P.D. Idaho Falls, ID.
Sunday, June 06, 2021
44 Years Ago This Very Week
The first week of June in 1977 was a special one when three entities joined together in Memphis to promote a film & music soundtrack titled "All This In World War 2" released on 20th Century Fox Films while the music was released on a box set by their in-house record label, 20th Century Fox Records. Joining in that grand promotion was radio station powerhouse WMC-FM-100 and the hottest local music venue on the scene, The Ritz. The event's coordination was laid-out by promoter Phillip Rauls (below) as attendance was grand while providing fond memories for all in attendance.
copyright (c) phillip rauls photo archives
Friday, March 26, 2021
A Readers Comment Of "The Rock Trenches"
On occasion we might get flattered with words while mostly shrugging it off as a polite compliment and then move on. But not this time! On the Amazon book site for my self-penned non-fiction journal titled, "The Rock Trenches"...here a reader's complimentary book review that brought a sincere tear to my eye.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
New Video Interview with Phillip Rauls
These days there's not much to crow about. Unless it's a 22 minute Video Interview with book author and photographer Phillip Rauls telling about his past and present. Whoo-whoo! Presented by NPUSA.
Click-on link to view:
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Stephen Stills Masterful Guitar Skills Should Definitely Not Be Underestimated (+ Video)
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Early 1968 Photo Reveals Photographer's Eye For The Gloomy Living Of A Manhattan Apt.
Early in my photo journey I did not want to focus solely on concert photography or rock stars. However, my earliest recognition in photography was just that. And naturally I'm proud of those accomplishments as everyone needs a launching platform. Truth is, everyone has their own viewpoints and opinions and appreciates photography in their own way. My early influences were former Look Magazine photographer Stanley Kubrick who later became a film maker (2001: A Space Odyssey, Clockwork Orange, The Shinning). Plus, I always admired photographer Diane Arbus for her eye for capturing the mundane. Yet still in search, I eventually settled on a wider scope and considered photojournalist as 'the real artists who recorded the facts.' With a early break in the music business I began to travel extensively thus allowing me to shoot photos during my journey. Featured here in one of my early photos in1968 while taken on a visit to New York as one afternoon I peeked out my hotel room window and was petrified at the sight of typical New York hi-rise apartment living. No disrespect to my long-time New York friends but being a Southern boy from Tennessee I was so accustomed to the open spaces and greenery from my home state that this view from my window was a big downer. Subsequently, I titled this (c) photo, "Images don't change, but we do."
Sunday, January 10, 2021
A Music Legend Lost Fifteen Years Ago
Jimmy and his long ascent to fame is such a remarkable and inspiring story. Consider this; Griffin wrote songs that were recorded by, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Brian Hyland, Leslie Gore, Ed Ames, Bobby Vee, The Standells, Sandy Nelson, Cher, and many more. And all this was done during the developing period of the cultural phenom called Rock ‘N’ Roll. In the middle 1960’s Griffin soon landed several small acting roles in the movies, “For Those Who Think Young” and “None But The Brave.” But an incredible surprise came in 1970 when Griffin won an Academy Award for co-writing the Carpenters song “For All We Know” from the film “Lovers and Strangers.” Plus, while reaching further heights, and as mentioned earlier, Jimmy Griffin was the co-founder of the pioneering soft rock group, Bread. If the truth be known, Bread had more charted singles in Billboard Magazine and was awarded more gold & platinum album awards than many of their contemporaries. Their music was so popular that it helped create a new radio format, Adult Contemporary. Years later, Jimmy relocated back to Memphis and recorded an album with Terry Sylvester formerly of the popular British group, The Hollies. Still later, Griffin moved to Nashville where he revived his career with even more hits and stardom. Plus, he was back on the charts again!
Me personally, I was so inspired by Jimmy Griffin’s grand accomplishments that I included an entire chapter (chapter #20) of his long career in my non-fiction memoir titled, “The Rock Trenches ~ Journal of a Music Industry Executive” (available at Amazon Books online). This is must reading for music lovers and those of inquisitive minds.
In closing: Let it be know that I have always abided to the sacred omen to never write or publicially say anything offensive about someone. And I feel that in this story I have adhered to that principle. If you will take notice, no names other than Jimmy Griffin's name are punctuated here. So, let the guilty parties expose themselves by standing up to complain. I have one more true story that some might relate to my frustration on this matter. One time I was being interviewed on TV on the Tim Mullins Show when he asked me, “Phillip, why is it that so many musicians and industry people have had to leave Memphis before they can truthfully say they have made it?” My response was, “Well, there's a city located just 200 miles from Memphis and they call it, ‘Music City.’ The truth is...man, did we miss the boat.”
Jimmy Griffin is gone but he is certainly not forgotten. I rest my case. Can I get a amen?
(copyright (c) 2021 all rights reserved - the phillip rauls photolog)
Sunday, January 03, 2021
Photographer Captures His Music Icon
Without a doubt, one of my favorite photos of Robert Palmer is one that I had taken of him in Portland, OR in the early 1990's while on tour with him. Here Robert is conducting an radio interview on the evening of his Portland performance when an incoming phone inquiry asks, "I want to know are the 'dancing girls' from your video backing you in performance tonight." Palmer quietly cleared his throat, took a breath, and then responded to the caller, "No". The interviewing DJ noticing the possible friction created by the question and promptly said, "Next caller please." (editors note: From earlier, it was my clear understanding that this subject was not one of Palmer's favorite topics) Follow the story below as the truth is revealed by an important and trusted Robert Palmer band member. Read about Robert Palmer's long and brilliant career in the non-fiction journal titled, "The Rock Trenches ~ Journal of a Music Industry Executive" by Phillip Rauls and available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon Books.