WCA #615 with Michael Frondelli, Part 2: Los Angeles, Capitol Records, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Long View on Audio

For episode 615, Matt concludes his two-part conversation with Michael Frondelli, picking up in Los Angeles where Keith Forsey and Richie Zito brought him west. Michael landed at Giorgio Moroder’s Oasis Studios, where he worked on the Breakfast Club soundtrack, Beverly Hills Cop, and the world premiere digital playback of Moroder’s restored Metropolis. He went on to eleven years as Vice President of Capitol Records Studios, where his first artist was Frank Sinatra and he quietly produced Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on a $100,000 investment that grossed $7 million. They also talk about AI and copyright, the importance of pre-production, apprenticeships in audio, network as the real currency of a career, and what Phil Ramone told him about what recording engineers actually do. In This Episode, We Discuss: Moving to Los Angeles via Keith Forsey and Richie Zito Giorgio Moroder’s Oasis Studios: Breakfast Club, Beverly Hills Cop, and Three Films at Once The World Premiere Digital Playback of Moroder’s Restored Metropolis East Coast vs West Coast Recording Culture Keeping an Apartment in Brooklyn and One in LA VP of Capitol Records Studios: How He Got the Job Learning to Run a $5 Million Business The First Business Plan Ever Written for Capitol Studios Frank Sinatra as the First Artist: Phil Ramone, Al Schmitt, and Building a Custom Vocal Booth Union Negotiations, Health Benefits, and Taking Care of the Staff Being Told He Was Too Old to Start a Label at 44 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: $100,000 In, $7 Million Gross, 500,000 Records by May Crowded House, Gary Stamper, and Don’t Dream It’s Over AI, Copyright, and Why You Must Register Before You Use the Platform Apprenticeships, the Music Producers Guild, and Passing It On Network as the Real Currency of a Career Still Working: James Gadson, Autism Speaks, and Making Records Matt’s RANT!: Matt’s Dad Links and Show Notes: Michael Frondelli WCA #614 with Michael Frondelli, Part 1 Vincent Boudreau — Obituary Credits: Guest: Michael Frondelli Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith