Phillip Rauls 70's pics with Atlantic Records # 7

Photo 7 Page reveals a hastened period of Phillip's career when his profile could be summarized by a wacky cliche that he coined; "I'm just an international jetsetting swinging playboy bachelor record executive, cool, calm, sophisticated, suave and debonair photography bum." offers Phillip. As demonstrated by those comments, he took nothing and nobody serious as you could probably tell.

As the road-circus continues, below are a series of Phillip's favorite photographs that are sometimes revealing and candid. Also displayed are classic memorabilia and collectables that were accumulated somewhere on the concert trail during the mid-1970's.

In 1971 "Love The One You're With" by Stephen Stills peaked at #4 in Billboard Singles Chart. This classic song became the national anthem for the free-wheeling Love Generation.

"Each college concert Stills would wear a different football jersey provided by the local team." says Phillip. "The gesture was well received by university crowds as Stephen Stills played his ass-off for supportive students."

Traveling on YES's private Lear Jet had it's distinct advantages.

Such as prepairing herbal tea maybe?

The band's custom-calligraphed logo was produced by famed artist Roger Dean who also canvassed numerous YES album covers. Plus, documented in the noted book "The Authorised Biography of YES" Phillip Rauls was credited with being instrumential in the establishment of the band's early success in the U.S.

By the early 1970's, YES was a major concert draw throughout the world. As members of the band evolved in the early stages, a patched-together photo saved the day. This Atlantic press photo captured the nucleus of band members for years to follow. (L-R) Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Alan White and Steve Howe.

YES drummer Alan White watches cautiously as producer Eddie Offord horse-plays with a leather whip. Never one to be without a toy, Eddie Offord carried a duck-caller on his belt holster and would often sound-off "Quacks" between songs from his seat at the mixing board at YES concerts.

The "Close To The Edge" album by YES was their crowning achievement and stands up as their finest work. The U.S tour supporting this album featured The Eagles as opening act. As you might suspect, the tour kept an Atlantic promo guy very busy whereas both bands came-up with chart busting albums that established their careers.

YES's superb soundman Eddie Offord displays a baloon image of himself created by Phillip for this bizarre (c) photo. On the serious side, Eddie Offord brillantly produced several YES LP's and also early Emerson, Lake and Palmer albums.

Phillip Rauls captures a self photo (c) at top of the stairwell of the Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans 1973.

The Eagles released their first album on Asylum Records distrubuted by Atlantic. But get this: Their first major concert tour was performing as the opening act for headliners YES. Talk about a contrast of styles but the tour was a smashing success nevertheless. It appeared that The Eagles sailed into stardom by this monumental debut tour. (photo source unknown)

The combination of YES and The Eagles on a concert tour was perhaps the greatest One-Two concert packages ever scheduled.

An early Eagles press photo from Asylum Records

Up-and-coming record industry mogul David Geffin (R) launched Asylum Records thru a deal with Atlantic. Upon that accord Phillip was assigned to promote and tour with the labels first artists: The Eagles, Jackson Brown, Jo Jo Gunne, Judee Sill, J.D. Souther, Batdorf & Rodney, David Blue and Joni Mitchell. Standing left next to Geffin is Eagles drummer Don Henley.

"Saturate Before Using" by Jackson Brown was the next album and tour scheduled for Phillip to partake. But this tour was scheduled for Jackson Brown to open for another Asylum artist, Joni Mitchell, whereas she was hyper-sensitive to being over shadowed by a newcomer.

Meanwhile, former Memphian and member of The Mar-Keys, Don Nix, releases a new LP on Shelter Records.

The infamous Don Nix received the dubious honor of being recognized in Playboy Magazine's "Bubbling Under Esquire Magazine's Hot 100." In hip-terms that meant the top 100 folks in the Pop World. Or something like that. See Nix top left-2nd photo.

By the mid-70's Playboy Magazine was the top selling publication. Plus, their centerfold inserts made excellent wall covering for the bachelor pad.

Beatle George Harrison recruited Don Nix to assemble the vocal choir for the legendary Concert For Bangladesh.

In 1972, Phillip was assigned to tour and provide label support of new-comer Bette Midler. Media interviews poured-in on this campy sexpot singer whose piano accompanist was Barry Manilow.

The Atlantic Records promotion staff even had their own football team called "The Heavies." Phillip is pictured seated-center with football in hand. (double-click to enlarge)

The Atlantic Atco Cotillion Asylum Bulletin announces Phillip's promotion to Atlantic's Southeastern Region Promotional Manager as well as Artist Relations Manager of the South.

1971 was a historic year for Atlantic; the company signed the world's greatest rock band, The Rolling Stones. Out of that alliance came two major albums, "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street."

Pop artist Andy Warhol designed the Rolling Stones' logo and "Sticky Fingers" album cover.

The Rolling Stones' American tour that year was the most publicized, most photographed and most written about concert tour of the entire era. (photo source Don Kirshner Productions)

Ah, the hits just keep on coming. Here's a photograph from Phillip of a billboard on Sunset Strip of the Rolling Stones "Exile On Main Street" album cover. Just like many of their songs, the artwork caused much controversy.

Atlantic Records "Big M" Mario Medious was the industry's first promotion man to call on FM Radio when it was referred to as Underground Radio. Years later it became mainstream when officially titled Album Rock.