Hot Properties?

Regarding Robert Hilburn’s article “Who Are Pop’s Hottest Properties?” (Feb. 7):

So record industry executives think that Michael Bolton is more worthwhile than Prince? If all pop artists were actually free agents, and these executives stood by their choices, I would love to be in the room when the following conversation took place between industry insiders:

“Yeah, Prince wanted to sign with us, but I turned him down. I just don’t see him being able to adapt with changing musical taste. He’s stuck in that ‘pop-funk-R&B-jazz-hip; hop-rock-reggae-psychedelic-heavy metal’ type of field. Instead, I blew the whole wad on Michael Bolton. Now there’s a talented guy!”

After the laughter dies down, the record exec would continue: “Besides, in six years, Michael Bolton will be huge! People will spend thousands for a bootleg of one of his unreleased albums! He’ll be writing ballets! But Prince? Geez in six years, it’ll be . . . what, 1999? Who’s gonna be listening to Prince in 1999?”

BYRON WADE

Newbury Park