Season 1 - Episode 27 - Recording an EP, Sales, and Ozzy
April 1, 1981. Joseph Kennedy Sr. and the entire team at Sub Pop Inc. were busy tallying up the sales and profits from cassette tapes and live shows. After running through the numbers, James was handed the final report, with the summary reading:
Report of sales and profit from December 1980 to March 1981:
[December 1980]
[Label Gross Profit: $750.00]
[Sub Pop Inc. Net Profit: $502.50]
[Chris Cornell's Net Royalty Share: $60.00]
[January 1981]
[Label Gross Profit: $6,050.00]
[Sub Pop Inc. Net Profit: $4,772.00]
[Chris Cornell's Net Royalty Share: $447.60]
[February 1981]
[Label Gross Profit: $7,050.00]
[Sub Pop Inc. Net Profit: $5,363.00]
[Chris Cornell's Net Royalty Share: $531.60]
[March 1981]
[Label Gross Profit: $13,200.00]
[Sub Pop Inc. Net Profit: $9,745.00]
[Chris Cornell's Net Royalty Share: $1,010.40]
[Total]
[Label Gross Profit: $27,050.00]
[Sub Pop Inc. Net Profit: $20,382.90]
[Chris Cornell's Net Royalty Share: $2,049.60]
And at the end of the report, Chris Cornell's bank account has been paid exactly $2,049.60.
James leaned back, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Four months in, and everything was running smoothly. He looked over the numbers one more time, his thoughts turning to the next step: recording Chris Cornell's EP, "Screaming for Life/Fopp".
He called Joseph Kennedy Sr back and said, "Joseph, we are moving forward," James said confidently, handing over the task for the next project. "Make sure we get it started by the end of the month."
"Yes, Sir." Joseph Kennedy Sr. answered.
The call ended and as he glanced out of the window at the peaceful garden below, he reflected on how far Chris Cornell had come in this timeline. His voice was evolving, stronger and more refined with each passing day. He knew the upcoming recordings would be a breeze for Chris compared to Ultramega OK.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
A few days later, the phone rang. Joseph Kennedy Sr. was on the other end, his tone full of excitement. "Sir, you will want to hear this."
"Yeah?" James answered, already focused.
"We have got an incredible opportunity from Mrs. Osbourne," Joseph Kennedy Sr. said, a note of awe in his voice.
James sat up straighter. "What is going on?"
"Mr. Ozzy Osbourne himself took a liking to Chris's music and voice. He wants Chris to open for him on the Blizzard of Ozz tour, starting this month." Joseph Kennedy Sr's voice was practically vibrating with excitement.
James's eyes widened. "What?! This is huge! Alright, get a draft for the management contract ready, 20% for us. Let us inform Chris and his mother."
"I will get on it right away!" Joseph replied.
As the call ended, James leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. This could be the breakthrough we need.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
Back in March 1981.
Ozzy Osbourne was sitting in his dressing room, half-listening to the noise outside. The Blizzard of Ozz tour was going well, but he felt like something was missing. The setlist was starting to feel stale, and the energy was kind of flat. He needed something new to shake things up, but he was not sure what.
Just then, a buddy of his, a radio DJ from a local station, walked in grinning like a wicked cat. "Hey Oz, you gotta check this out." he said, handing him a cassette tape. "Some kid from Washington, Chris Cornell. I think you will dig it. It is not your usual stuff, but he has got that thing, you know?"
Ozzy gave the cassette a listen. "Alright, let us hear it," he said, tossing it into the player without thinking much about it.
The moment the first track hit, Ozzy raised an eyebrow. This was not what he expected. The music was heavy and aggressive, but there was something about it that grabbed him. The guitars had that sharp edge, but it was Chris Cornell's voice that really stood out. It was powerful, like nothing Ozzy had heard before, like it was coming from the pit of his stomach.
The more Ozzy listened, the more he was hooked. There was something about Chris Cornell's voice, he could go from smooth melodies to full on, gut wrenching screams without skipping a beat. It was not just the music, it was "THAT" voice. Ozzy was completely taken aback. He stopped the tape, wide-eyed.
"Bloody hell!" he muttered to himself. "This kid's something else."
The DJ was looking at him, who was waiting for a reaction. Ozzy could not help but grin. "You were not kidding." he said. "This guy's got it!"
"Right? I told you!" the DJ replied, clearly stoked that Ozzy liked it.
Ozzy jumped up, pacing around the room. "Sharon!" he yelled. "Get in here!"
Sharon Osbourne, who'd been handling things outside, popped her head in. "What is it now, Oz?"
"Listen to this…" Ozzy said, shoving the cassette in her direction.
Sharon gave him a skeptical look but took the tape and started playing it. As the music blared through the speakers, she raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Okay, okay!" she said, nodding. "He's got some serious talent."
Ozzy was practically vibrating with excitement. "I want him to open for me. On the whole damn tour. This guy's gonna bring something new to the shows, raw energy and fresh sound. I need him with me."
Sharon gave him a look like she was about to say something, but then paused, considering. "Are you sure about this? You really want him to open? This is a bit out there, even for you."
Ozzy waved it off, pacing again. "Yeah, I am sure. Really sure. I have been on the road for months now, and we need something that is gonna shake things up. This kid, Cornell, he's got the talent. I can feel it."
Sharon grabbed the phone, dialing up some numbers. "Alright, I will get someone on it, see if we can track him down. I will get more info."
"Yeah, and make sure it is now," Ozzy said, holding his hands up like he was giving orders. "Call anyone who knows him. Label, friends, whoever. Just get him in front of me."
Sharon nodded, making the call. Ozzy sat back down, his mind buzzing with what just happened. "This could be huge!" he mumbled to himself. "This kid's gonna be something big, and I want him on my stage."
Sharon came back a few minutes later. "Alright, we have got someone on the case. Looks like we might have a lead on him. We will know more soon."
Ozzy stood up, still pacing, already imagining how Chris's sound would fit into the show. "Good. I want him now. Let us get it rolling. If he is this good, I am telling you, we need him with us."
Sharon smiled. "I know you are excited, but calm down a bit. We will make it happen."
As she walked off to handle the details, Ozzy sat back in his chair, a huge grin on his face. He could already picture how the crowd would react, how Chris Cornell's raw gritty sound would create that perfect kind of energy. This was gonna be the start of something big.