Music Questions - Letters To The Music Editor - Ask The Music Editor

Experts answer your questions. For February 01, 2008,

FANTANSY WORLD

Dear Keith,

Here's a weird question about John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" album. How much do you think it cost when it first came out? I'm writing a book about some kids in New York City in 1980 and one of the characters tries to buy the album when it first comes up and doesn't have enough money. So what's your guess about how much money he would have needed? I was actually a teen myself buying records back then, but I can't remember what they cost.

I hope you can help me.

Thanks a lot,

Meredith Berlin

Hi Meredith,

When "Double Fantasy" was released, its suggested list price was $8.98. Unless it was sale priced, the vinyl album (or cassette or 8-track) would have generally sold for $6.98 to $8.98. If on sale, an album would have gone for between $5.98 and $7.98.

Good luck with your book!

'ABDULMATIC'

Hi Keith,

I am sure you are getting a ton of mail about this next subject. I just heard Paula Abdul's new single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" and it is awesome!

It is a very intelligent release on her part. I know the single is from Randy Jackson's upcoming album, but there is also a rumor she has a new album coming out called "Abdulmatic." Is there any truth to that, or is it just a rumor?

With her upcoming Super Bowl appearance, it seems she is ready to jump back into the music biz after a lengthy absence. I hope she succeeds. It's great to hear fun pop music again. Welcome back Paula!

Matt Vessell

Atlanta

Hello Matt,

According to Paula Abdul's official Web site (www.paulaabdul.com), she has a new album due out this summer. Perhaps she'll shed light on this during her appearance on the Feb. 3 Super Bowl broadcast. Make sure to tune in early to catch her during the pre-game show.

NOT SO FOREIGN ANYMORE

Hi Keith!

Among the massive publicity about Led Zeppelin's reunion concert in London December 2007, I noticed that Foreigner played on the same bill with drummer Jason Bonham doing double duty. First in his current band Foreigner and then filling in for daddy in Led Zeppelin.

Next to Zeppelin, Foreigner was one of Atlantic's biggest selling bands, with a string of multi platinum albums in the late 70's/early 80's. But how have their albums been holding up since the beginning of Soundscan? Any success with new ones? Any life left in the old ones?

After listening to my old Zep albums I pulled out some Foreigner albums too. Some 30 years later they still sound great!

Cheers,

Thomas Christiansen
Copenhagen, Denmark

Hello Thomas,

Since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991, Foreigner has sold 5.2 million albums in the U.S. The biggest of the bunch is the band's 1982 hits album "Foreigner Records," which has shifted 1.8 million since 1991.

Foreigner's most fruitful years came between 1977 and 1987, so for the band to sell 5.2 million in the past 17 years is pretty good. However, the act's most recent studio album, 1994's "Mr. Moonlight," has sold a meager 140,000 in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan.

All told, the band's catalog of albums has been certified by the RIAA as having shipped 37.5 million albums in the U.S.

From 1977 through 1985, the band was a major force in music, racking up six consecutive top 10 albums on The Billboard 200, including the No. 1 set "4." That album spent 10 weeks atop the chart in 1981 and included The Billboard Hot 100 hits "Urgent" (No. 4), "Waiting For A Girl Like You" (No. 2 for a record 10 weeks), "Juke Box Hero" (No. 26), "Break It Up" (No. 26) and "Luanne" (No. 75).

What was "Waiting For A Girl Like You" stuck behind on the Hot 100 for all that time? Well, for the first nine weeks at No. 2, Olivia Newton-John's smash "Physical" was at No. 1, while for "Waiting's" last week at No. 2, it played second fiddle to Daryl Hall and John Oates' "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)."

In fact, of all the singles that have peaked at No. 2 on The Billboard Hot 100, only one other has equaled Foreigner's 10 week reign. What was it? Missy Elliott's "Work It." It was stuck at No. 2 for 10 consecutive weeks in 2002 behind Eminem's "Lose Yourself."

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