Over time, the music industry has evolved in ways no one could have ever predicted. From the invention of the gramophone to vinyl records, CDs and now streaming, what was once a modest industry has become robust enough to generate billions of dollars in revenue annually. It took time to get where it is now though, and many key players along the way have been integral in helping shape music as we know it today. Among those is a man who is the subject of a new film, with Spinning Gold set to cover the story of Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart and his team who helped some of the most iconic names in music industry history rise to prominence.
Bogart was already a well known music executive by the time he founded Casablanca Records in 1973, but it was then when he partnered up with Universal Music Group to form a label of his own. Upon doing so, the first act he signed was the rock band Kiss who would become one of the most iconic bands in the history of rock and roll and, as they say, the rest is history. While Casablanca’s history isn’t all glory and gold, it’s safe to say their place is cemented in the history of the music industry as they’d also go on to sign acts like Donna Summers, Village People, Cher as well many other high profile musicians and groups that allowed them to create magic. The cast of Spinning Gold includes some prominent names in its cast as well, with Jeremy Jordan as Bogart, Michelle Monaghan as Beth Weiss, Jay Pharoah as Cecil Holmes, and many others set to lend their talents in support of telling such a remarkable story. You can see the official trailer for the project below, and you can catch Spinning Gold in theaters as of today.
The history of the music industry is a byproduct of the major players who took risks when others wouldn’t, and Neil Bogart was one of those people. The music industry wouldn’t be the behemoth it is today if not for them, and their legacies should be honored rightfully. Spinning Gold is sure to be an example of that, and should be worth the trip to theaters this weekend.
