Muzak files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Reuters ^ | Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:31pm EST | Reporting by Santosh Nadgir in Bangalore and Emily Chasan in New York;

[a fool in paradise]

It was bound to happen someday. There just isn’t the same songbook of hits to turn into instrumentals...

How do you make an instrumental out of a hiphop song that itself is a recycled riff from an older song?

[Monterrosa-24]

In tough times companines cut down on their overhead including the well-edited Muzak.

I would think much of their large sales force will be hitting the unemployment lines.

[hsrazorback1]

As much as $500M in debt, and only $50K in assets?

So when does the criminal investigation begin?

[martin_fierro]

I heard a Muzak cover of “Marrakesh Express” once at an Ohio Turnpike restaurant. True story.

[Billthedrill]

Dang it. I was holding out for the Boston Pops version of Voodoo Chile. I blame the kids with their danged IPods and their hepcat music and their mary jane...

[ErnBatavia]

Oh just ducky...now all we’ll get to hear in elevators are those “old lady walk farts”...

[jrawk]

According to Come as You Are Kurtd Cobain worked at Muzak in Seattle. It was a favored job amongst the scene as back then Muzak was tapes mailed to your location and musicians could use the giant tape duplication machines and stolen office supplies to release singles of their songs.

In a way the entire Alternative Rock movement broken free by popularity of Nirvana owes a lot to Muzak. And more than just boring them into creativity via homogonized distribution of background music.

— lates
— jrawk

[bmwcyle]

This is good news.

[VanDeKoik]

I'll try my best to play Taps in the style that will pay honor to the now bankrupt Muzak.

[petro45acp]

“We believe chapter 11 will provide us with the opportunity to right size our capital structure and gain financial flexibility...,” Chief Executive Stephen Villa said in a statement...”

MBA speak for WE ARE SO BONED.

[razorboy]

Finally some good economic news.

[a fool in paradise]

Jim Morrison told us this day would be coming... “When the Muzak’s over, turn out the lights! turn out the lights! turn out the liiiiiiiiiiarrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhts!”

[ejonesie22]

“Thank you for calling the US Bankruptcy Court district office. All of our staff is busy helping other customers at this time. Please hold for the next available clerk...Da da dada duh da da dada duh da da dada duh dad dad dada dud dah...”

“Damn....”

[a fool in paradise]

Bush’s fault.

[cynwoody]

Fifty years ago this past February 3rd, the music died. Today the Muzak dies. Buh bye.

[Revolting cat!]

I saw their van just the other day, and was surprised that they were still in business. Weren’t they pioneers in sending audio over the phone lines?

Another reason for the demise maybe the growing rejection of instrumental pop in favor of songs and declamations with dumb and vulgar lyrics. I see that (or hear) at my gym where they pipe annoying neo-disco (as I call it) at full volume into the speakers. Instrumental music requires a bit of imagination.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Why do I picture their attorneys in an elevator heading up to file the bankruptcy papers listening to...?

[a fool in paradise]

Not sure if this is worthy...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think Ray Coniff does Voodoo Child covers on Muzak.