PS- that’s why I always shopped imports too
I was always shocked at the stuff we didnt’ get over in the States, often some of the best by American artists even, i.e. Stray Cats
I guess I wasn’t sufficiently cynical to understand the record business back then... would explain why I interviewed with one (sales) and didn’t get the job lol
Europe is one of the happening places for a lot of US based talent. They don’t have the ossified big label bureaucracy.
Sales, I guess it wouldn’t have hurt you too bad if they’d taken you. Though you would have seen things that would have puzzled the Sphynx. It’s artists who commonly get put through the wringer by the big labels. Artists get the fame and a few crumbs to sustain them as their live performances earn. The big companies get the dough from record sales. While I do not agree with such tactics as they are dishonest, that’s why piracy is so winked at among the young crowd. Most bands with big company sponsorships would sooner their records be free, because they make money at live venues and would be glad for the publicity.