A&M exex may depart
Moss, who was chairman of A&M Records and a member of the Polygram Holding Inc. board, and Alpert, who held the title of vice-chairman, are likely to take more of a hands-on role at their Almo-Irving music publishing Co., part of the Rondor Music publishing company. The duo currently maintains offices at Rondor and at the A&M lot.
Sources Thursday were split on whether they would be interested or contractually able to consider starting another record outlet. Both have varied business interests outside the music industry.
Moss was honored Wednesday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel by the Cities in Schools program, with a heavy contingent of A&M staffers in attendance. But sources said Alpert's and Moss' departures, while of historic significance, will not affect the day-to-day operations at A&M Records. Al Cafaro is the Polygram point man, serving as the A&M president/CEO and a member of the Polygram Holding Inc. board.
Sources said Alpert and Moss had a five-year contract to continue with A&M Records after its sale to Polygram in 1989 for a reported $ 500 million, a deal that likely has been terminated. The sale included all A&M record operations, music video interests, A&M Films, the Los Angeles offices -- including the former Charlie Chaplin film studios -- and A&M recording studio. Moss and Alpert retained the lucrative A&M publishing arm, Almo-Irving.
A&M and Polygram spokespersons both declined comment on Alpert and Moss' status. Alpert and Moss did not return phone calls seeking comment.
After the Polygram purchase, A&M went through a round of cost-cutting and layoffs. Additionally, the label lost its distribution of Windham Hill Records and the services of superstar Janet Jackson.
A&M rebounded in the early '90s with albums by Sting, Amy Grant and Extreme. Currently, A&M has albums by Sting, comedian Denis Leary, Temple of the Dog and Lo-Key in the Billboard 200.
