In a rare interview, Elektra Records’ founder Jac Holzman talks life lessons, signing The Doors, and losing Queen
“It was a mess, and I was very discouraged,” Holzman says. “The repertoire wasn’t right, and I didn’t know how to connect it with people.”
“We needed to stay alive, but also not record what we didn’t believe in,” Holzman says. “We were waiting for the next thing, and I was scratching my head as to what to do in the meantime. One day, I came home from the office and there on the television there was a car crash. It hit me: Let’s do sound effects.”
“I said, you don’t have to bother,” recalls Holzman. “I’m releasing you as of now.” He adds: “That’s how you handle that situation. [Bramlett] made a wonderful album. But you just don’t want those people on the label because they will ruin it for everybody. We wanted to have nothing but a friendly atmosphere.”
Holzman did indeed retire to his self-built house in Hawaii in 1973 — but then returned to Warner as Chief Technologist under boss Steve Ross. “I did very little music listening while I was in Hawaii,” he admits. “I don’t know why that was. I spent more time reading.”
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