More artists mulling the Radiohead path

"Who needs a record company?" That's what essentially what Thom Yorke and his fellow members of Radiohead said last year when they released their path-breaking new album "In Rainbows" on their own after bidding adieu to EMI, the band's longtime record company. Now another revolt is brewing at EMI. The Times of London reports that EMI recording artist Robbie Williams is withholding his next album to protest cost-cutting by Terra Firma. Coldplay, another one of EMI's biggest acts, might do the same. (Fortune)

Robbie Williams issues call to arms in protest at EMI 'bean counters'

Robbie Williams is going on strike in protest at the private equity firm that has taken over his record company, as other stars down tools in an artists’ revolt. Williams, who has sold 70 million records for EMI, is leading a number of stars refusing to work for the company since its £3.2 billion takeover by Terra Firma, the financier. He is withholding the next album in his £80 million deal from EMI and his manager said Guy Hands, the new boss of EMI, was behaving like a “plantation owner”. (The Times)