AC/DC Signs Exclusive Record Deal with Wal-Mart

Classic rock band AC/DC has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Wal-Mart, instantly despoiling the band’s carefully cultivated reputation for hard drinking, crass lyrics and all-night parties. AC/DC joins a long line of bands to sign exclusive deals with Wal-Mart, including other hard-living rockers like Hannah Montana, the Eagles and Journey.

AC/DC fans are taking the news hard, and many are weighing in on what this will mean for the group. Wired’s blog has a survey up, and instantly embedded one of the band’s anthems in our head by saying:

For those about to shop, AC/DC and Wal-mart salute you. The band has joined forces with the brand to sell its upcoming album exclusively through Wal-Mart retail locations in the CD format. Is AC/DC off its rocker?

Several stories today go beyond AC/DC, however, to examine Wal-Mart’s ever-expanding role in the music industry. The New York Times cites Wal-Mart’s recent shareholders meeting as an example of its power: you think Garth Brooks played a concert at 8 AM in Arkansas because he WANTED to? And Wal-Mart is increasingly acting as a record label. From the Times:

The deals highlight the changing dynamics of the music industry as once-powerful labels decline because of the migration to digital downloads. To fill the gap, musicians are scrambling to connect with fans, and Wal-Mart is using these exclusive deals to assume a new role: hit maker.

What does all this mean for music? As CD sales decline, we’d be surprised if AC/DC didn’t make some artistic compromises for their Wal-Mart release. With songs like “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long,” we’re sure Wal-Mart’s marketing team will at least be looking over the band’s shoulder for misbehaviors.

For Some Music, It Has to Be Wal-Mart and Nowhere Else [New York Times]
As CDs Decline, Wal-Mart Spins Its Strategy [Wall Street Journal]

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Monday, June 09, 2008

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