Larry Harris: Neil Bogart Was A Great Marketing Genius

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Larry Harris: Neil Bogart Was A Great Marketing Genius

Rockpages.gr has conducted its latest interview with Larry Harris, author of "And Party Every Day: The Inside Story Of Casablanca Records." An excerpt follows:

Rockpages.gr: Obviously, the title of the book is a clear reference to KISS’ well-known hit. Apart from the fact that “Rock and Roll All Nite” saved Casablanca, does that phrase capture the whole mood and atmosphere of Casablanca Records?

Larry Harris: Rock and Roll all night did not save Casablanca- KISS did not Save Casablanca- It was hard work and the establishment and initial success of KISS, Donna Summer and Parliament ( they seemed to break all about the same time) that gave the company the needed impetus to go on. The title of the book was always Excess in all Things and at the last minute the publisher had a friend who came up with the current title which I loved.

Rockpages.gr: How you would describe in a few words Neil Bogart?

Larry Harris: Neil was a great marketing genius. He also was a gambler who bet on things that others would never do- No one wanted KISS in the beginning, Donna Summer was turned down by everyone. He was Mike Todd, PT Barnum rolled into one very talented driven guy.

Rockpages.gr: I always believed that KISS was not only Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley but that they had behind them a group of people (including you and Neil Bogart) that went all the way in order to make them superstars. The book portrays that picture…I was wondering what your thoughts were all these years when you were listening to quite the opposite comments (mainly) from Gene Simmons?

Larry Harris: Gene has always been a self promoter- Unlike the other members of the band who all give Neil, myself and many others credit for helping in their career- No band or artist makes it by themselves, they may have one hit pretty much by themselves but to have any kind of extended career it takes a team .

Read the rest HERE.

KISSFAQ interviewed Harris last October. Read the FAQ interview HERE.