David Byrne to cover Biz Markie at concert promoting artist royalties

If David Byrne were solely responsible for the way St. Vincent's new album sounds, he would deserve praise. If it was just that and his status as the founder of the Talking Heads, he would deserve some sort of plaque. That all of this is true and he's also fighting for fair performance royalties by covering Biz Markie? Well, that man is deserving of a oil portrait in the grand gallery of the Universe.

The cover of The Biz is a part of his free concert called Artists Pay For Radio Play, a performance that is meant to draw attention to the state of performer royalties in the US.

"Some of us will play songs that are identified with specific performers and bands that never saw money from all the radio play they got (since they didn't write the songs),"  Byrne wrote in his newsletter.

"Mr. Markie didn't write that tune (although he did probably write the rap). The drum and keyboard loop was lifted from a Freddie Scott recording, but the song was written by Gamble and Huff, the great songwriting team that wrote for the O'Jays and the Spinners. So chances are Biz Markie didn't see any royalties from all the radio play that song got."

A petition has been set up alongside the concert.

"The United States has the unfortunate distinction of being the only democratic country in the world whose artists and musicians receive no pay for the terrestrial radio airplay of their music," the petition reads. "The short list of countries that share the United States' position on this issue includes: Iran, North Korea, China, Vietnam, and Rwanda."

"We ask that Congress review radio airplay royalties and support American artists and musicians by instituting a terrestrial radio performance royalty."

The concert, which is taking place at Le Poussoin Rouge on February 25, is free to all who RSVP and will also include members of People Get Ready, Cake and REM.

(via)