Metallica Won't 'Sell Out' To Live Nation

Lars Ulrich has no plans for Metallica to follow in the footsteps of U2 by signing a deal with concert promoters Live Nation - insisting the group will never "sell out".

U2 were one of the first high profile bands to sign a contract with Live Nation last year, in a $100 million deal.

The company will act as a record label for artists on its roster, including Madonna, Jay-Z and Shakira, and deal with the promotion of concerts, merchandising and sponsorship.

But Ulrich isn't keen on handing over control of his band's image to Live Nation like many of his contemporaries, insisting the company is not offering anything the rockers need.

He says, "We haven't sold out to Live Nation, and we are certainly not planning on it. And we are very, very fortunate that we do not need what they offer to continue to be who we are."

And the drummer also insists Metallica don't need the backing of a label record giant to get their records released.

He adds, "Let's cut to the chase. . . . The primary, not the only, but the primary - function of a record label is to act as a bank.

"When you're fortunate enough to be successful and so on, you don't need to rely on record companies as the banks."

Live Nation announced last month that company executives had kicked-started merger talks with ticketing giant Ticketmaster to create an industry superforce.


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Tags:  Metallica, Live Nation, Sell Out  

Contact Music    March 24, 2009