Spinner

New Clause Could Let Labels Suspend Drug-Abusing Artists

Michael JacksonIf record label bosses get their way, they would be able to penalize artists for drug use just like pro sports leagues. A new contract clause named after Michael Jackson could become commonplace in the music business in the wake of the singer's drug-related death. According to the Guardian, music executives are at work on industry-wide guidelines as a means to allow record labels to suspend self-harming artists until they seek treatment to recover from substance abuse and other woes.

It's no secret that musicians have been self-medicating themselves since the dawn of the rock era, sometimes with the help of label personnel. However, Jackson's unexpected death from a suspected overdose of the anesthetic Propofol has been a call to arms for music executives looking to protect their interests.

Speaking at Manchester's In the City convention, former Island Records boss Marc Marot says Jackson's passing has sparked action and concern over the likes of troubled artists like Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty. "Lawyers, accountants, managers, tour managers and personal assistants are in a terribly vulnerable position. They are one phone call away from being fired at any one point," Marot told the Guardian, speaking of the need for an enforceable clause. "Record companies are different. Record companies can't be fired quite so easily. You've got a six-album deal with an artist and you are only one album in and they begin to fall off the wagon."

"The artist community is unlikely to accept that the record company is to be the arbiter of what is or is not a suitable state of health," says Marot, who expects widespread resistance. "You may recommend record companies to insert a provision to the effect that if the artist is not, in the opinion of the company, in a suitable state to promote properly the company will be entitled to suspend the contract until the artist is in a suitable such state."

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Dierks Bentley, 'Live on Letterman'…

The Boot

Ethan Miller, Getty Images Country takes over the city, as Dierks Bentley is…

Drake, Juno Awards 2012: Young Money MC…

The Boombox

Getty Images After hosting the Juno Awards last year -- the Canadian…

Grammy Awards: Hip-Hop and R&B Albums…

The Boombox

Amazon.com The Best Rap Album category was born in 1996, during the…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

1 Comment

Filter by:
Jennifer


WTF?

Who and what the heck is GUARDIAN RECORDS??? Another PATHETIC ATTEMPT to smear Michael Jackson's name and legacy. When will you people ever stop and feel some sense of dignity and shame?

If this is truly NOT a smear campaign on Jackson and these people are truly sincere about the well-being of other artists then WHY DONT YOU PEOPLE CALL IT "THE ELVIS CLAUSE" instead? After all, everyone knows Elvis died of a drug overdose. Drugs that he took HIMSELF!

Many of these people who drafted this also want to believe Elvis was bigger that Michael so why cant we just call it THE ELVIS CLAUSE to give due "credit" to the fame of Elvis over Jackson. What does UNEMPLOYED Marc Marot and unknown Guardian records say to that?

Why would anyone want to name that THE JACKSON CLAUSE when the autopsy report clearly showed the following points which clearly contradicts that point of that law:

AUTOPSY RESULTS REVEALED last OCTOBER 1:

1. Michael Jackson's death RULED AS HOMICIDE meaning he was KILLED by Conrad Murray by administering a LETHAL DOSE OF PROPOFOL intravenously (whether intentionally or accidentally-is besides the point)
2. Michael Jackson was a Healthy Man
3. He weighed 136 lbs which is average for his height
4. He had a healthy heart
5. He had a healthy kidney
6. He had a healthy liver
7. He had a healthy brain
8. He had a healthy reproductive system (sperm count is healthy)
9. NO trace of pills in his body
10.NO pain medications (no demerol, no morphine) in his body

They examined his brain which means you can trace even medications taken 4-6 weeks prior to autopsy!

11. NO alcohol in his blood
12. NO illegal drugs in his body and brain

THE ONLY MEDICATIONS FOUND in his body were those administered by murray for insomnia which are anti-anxiety medications and sedatives normally used in conjunction with propofol (And Murray admitted to giving those to him)

So you want to use the name of A HEALTHY MUSICAL GENIUS WHO WAS KILLED BY AN INCOMPETENT DOCTOR to make a rule that had nothing to do with him? A rule that will not only be persecutory to many artists but also defames this MUSICAL GENIUS who has singlehandedly changed MUSIC HISTORY FOR THE BETTER! You should shove that ridiculous law down your throats!

Give me a name of a "junkie" that had a healthy liver, healthy kidney and healthy heart if you can find one. Drugs and Overmedication will toast your heart, kidney and liver in a very short time.

After this autopsy report was released, EVERYONE in the us media who accused him of being a junkie has now shut up. You people should STFU as well! RESPECT MICHAEL JACKSON! The world should pay gratitude to this man!

October 20 2009 at 1:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply