Bob Merlis ran the Warner Bros. publicity department for much of his 29 years at the label, and he has tales to tell. He recalls his adventures as a Columbia University student presenting concerts by the Byrds and others, as well as his rock journalist stint, his encounter with “supernova” Little Richard and a classic misunderstanding with the Carpenters. Soon he was working with Dion DiMucci, ZZ Top, Debbie Gibson, Talking Heads, Devo, the B-52’s, the BoDeans, Madonna, R.E.M. and many others. Which act was the beneficiary of “the cheapest promo in the history of Warner Bros”? Who reacted hostilely to his publicity ideas? Who was especially cool? How did the label vibe change? After Merlis left Warner Brothers, what was Chris Isaak’s valuable advice? And what role did late Rolling Stones/Beatles manager Allen Klein play in Merlis’s next act?
