Former Capitol Records exec George Saadi reveals how he got Radiohead's The Bends into 30 million homes with a 31-night Discovery Channel campaign, how a Dick Clark phone call changed his career, and his backstage KISS stories.

In this episode of Broken to Brave, Donna Barnes sits down with George Saadi, a former Capitol Records executive, TV producer, and close friend of Leprechaun creator Mark Jones. If you love 80s and 90s music, vinyl records, Dick Clark, or the stories behind the record labels, this one is for you.

In this episode:

• How a Juilliard audition falling apart led George to Berklee College of Music and a career in the music business
• Why George wrote a fan letter to Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart at 15, and why he still treasures the reply
• How KISS manager Bill Aucoin discovered the band and kept them on tour using his American Express card
• Getting hired at Capitol Records in the late 80s, and why record labels wanted experience over a degree
• The Radiohead The Bends marketing campaign: buying leftover late-night airtime on Discovery Channel for 31 nights in a row
• Why record stores charged labels "co-op" fees for shelf placement, and how George worked around it
• The phone call from Dick Clark that led George into TV development
• The PBS show Buried History, which earned an Emmy nomination
• Why vinyl now outsells CDs, and what it says about the end of the "walls" between music, TV, and film
• The story of signing his Casablanca letter with KISS, and the night at a Hollywood burger stand that ended with "gorilla marketing at its finest"

Quick answers:

Who is George Saadi? A former Capitol Records executive and TV producer who worked with Dick Clark Productions and was Mark Jones' friend and business partner.

How did Radiohead promote The Bends? George bought late-night Discovery Channel infomercial airtime and ran a half-hour electronic press kit for 31 nights straight, reaching roughly 30 million homes. Record sales climbed, with no radio airplay or tour behind it.

Who discovered KISS? Bill Aucoin, the host of NBC's Flipside, saw them at the Coventry club in Queens and became their manager.

Is vinyl making a comeback? Yes. George and Donna discuss why vinyl now outsells CDs and why he still bristles at the word "vinyls."

Guests and topics: George Saadi, Donna Barnes, Capitol Records, Casablanca Records, KISS, Radiohead, Dick Clark, Neil Bogart, Bill Aucoin, Berklee College of Music, vinyl records, and 80s and 90s music history.

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If you enjoyed this look behind the music, comment with your favorite 80s or 90s album, and tell us whether you still own it on vinyl!

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