So who’s to blame for this fiasco? It’s certainly easy to point the finger at Rob Stringer. He’s the driver behind what could be considered one of the biggest major label boondoggles of the decade. He’s the guy who signed off on all of Rick’s mishegas. When the dust finally settles it wouldn’t be surprising if this little “experiment” ends up costing Sony $100 million or more, especially when you consider the massive billing differential between Rubin’s Sony product and that with other labels (minimally $60 million). And let’s not forget the Amanda Ghost/Epic Records disaster that cost Sony quite a few shekels, and embarrassment, as well. On the surface it certainly appears that Stringer is in over his head and has blown it. But let’s face it: it all ultimately comes down on big brother Howard’s shoulders. You’d think that at some point he would say to Rob, “What the hell are you doing?”
via Rob Stringer, Rick Rubin and the Real Story at Columbia Records.
