Man who launched Madonna looks to Asia for next rock star

[Berri]

Man who launched Madonna looks to Asia for next rock superstar

HONG KONG (AFP) - Seymour Stein, whose Sire records was behind some of the biggest hits of all time, including Madonna's "Like a Virgin," said China and India were ready to produce their first big international superstar.

"It's going to happen -- and I have been saying this for 10 years," he said in Hong Kong at the Music Matters gathering of Asian record industry heads.

"Together they have more than a third of the world's population -- these markets are going to be vital to the global industry," Stein added.

"Music knows no barriers, they (Asian artists) can cross over into the mainstream."

Stein is one of the big-name speakers at this year's expo, which is examining the challenges facing the music industry in Asia and the rest of the world.

With CD sales flagging globally, piracy eating further into profits and music companies struggling to keep up with developments in digital music, the record industry is desperately searching for ways to survive.

But Stein stresses that the basis of the business is its artists and without them there will be no industry.

"You have to look after your performers and build up a good roster," he said.

Vital to that was for recording companies to view performers as artists and not as business propositions.

"You must look and listen to them with a fan's ear. That's what I have always done," he said.

Over a career that has spanned more than four decades, Stein has brought some of the most influential bands in history to success.

He made a hit of New York band Talking Heads, brought English bands such as The Smiths and Depeche Mode to American audiences and even gave Australian punks The Saints and Radio Birdman their international breaks.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has even managed to make hits of overseas bands, such as Holland's Focus in the 70s and Sweden's Him.

Stein believes that despite advances in technology, the industry still remains one where talent and charisma will always sell.

"The industry hasn't changed that much and I am confident it will find a way," he said.
_________________
***The latest music and entertainment news and upcoming movies- always check back with Karazen and the forums!***