The Cecil Pitt Guide To Rock Management

Hi there, Pop-Pickers!

I'm Cecil Pitt: rock entrepreneur, creative genius, friend and confidante to the stars. No doubt you've heard of me. I've been a star-maker for some time now, and I'd like to share my inside knowledge of the "Rock Biz" with you in this article.

Picking Your Stars

How many superstars can you manage? One may be cheaper and easier, but the more you have, the more popular you'll be - Think big!

Should you go for the up-to-the-minute groovy pop megastars, or save money on boring old has-beens? It's really up to you, and what you can afford. As a general rule, cheaper stars are less popular, less talented, and most prone to petty fits of rage and jealousy. This is only a guide though; some of the nicest, most talented and hard working rock stars I've managed have been willing to work for only a few pounds a week. Remember, there's one born every minute.

Get to know the stars, their talents and their moods. That way you can pick the members that suit your style of management best, and go for it!

Making The Bread

OK, you've got the stars, you've got the management ability, but how are you going to get that record deal?

Can the band play together? Get them to practise, listen to what they sound like, do they sound like an outsight happening chart phenomenon to you?

Now it's time to build up their popularity. Record companies will only be interested in your band if they've got the fans who are willing to buy their latest records. Touring and publicity helps, of course, but choose your venues and ticket prices carefully if this is your band's first outing then they're unlikely to fill a stadium with tickets at £20.

Don't push the band too hard either. Continued touring is great for building up income and skills, best give them a break now and again. Lavish gifts and affection on them: show them you care. Otherwise you might find them causing trouble, asking for unnecessary creative control, or worst of all threatening to leave!

Which Record Deal?

If you're persistent, and can manage your income and stars successfully, it's inevitable that the record companies will start approaching you. Think carefully before you accept any deal though; is a better offer going to come along soon? On the other hand, don't be too choosy. Your band might not always be as popular, and that's the very time those tempting record offers will dry up.

Going Platinum

That's the name of the game isn't it? (Actually no, the game's called "Rock Star" - Ed). So get the best possible recording studio you can afford. And think carefully about naming the band's groovy songs.

Now you've got a healthy stack of material to release, so plan your releases carefully. It's up to you whether you release a single or an album first, or hit the global marketplace with them both together. One thing's for sure - successful singles boost the sales of an LP, so try to get maximum exposure for your potential toe-tapping chart-toppers. Make a video whenever you can, but choose your directors, locations, and contents carefully.

Then, who knows? Instant mega-stardom, or terminal oblivion down the annals of history? It all depends on you; your skills, your decisions, your mistakes. And there'll be more to deal with as well: sponsors, music pirates, taxman, the list goes on. Yes, it's hard work, and it often means firing your best friends, or telling them things they don't want to hear. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.

The rewards are there for the taking though, collecting those 4 silver discs, watching your band climb the steep slopes of commercial success, counting the money as it flows in. And who could be better informed than you right now, thanks to my immense generosity in sharing my vast knowledge of the "Rock Biz" with you, in this Cecil Pitt Guide. So, what are you waiting for? Go grab your slice of glory now - The Cecil Pitt way!

Go for it!

Cecil Pitt

(C) Cecil Pitt Worldwide Enterprises Ltd

Some Of The Megastars Featuring In This Game

• Michael Gorge
• Tina Turnoff
• Meathead
• Stiff Pilchard

And loads more including Dross, Scratch 'n' Sniff, Lummie, Bill Collins, String, Sidney Sparkle, Titchie Blackhead, Dorrissey, Annie Smallpox and over 35 others!

Game Credits

Brought to you by...

Game Design & Coding: Colin Jones
Directed by: Richard Darling & Colin Jones
Audio Drivers: Paul Hiley & TAG Computer Games
Visual Effects: Chris Graham
Production: Mike Clark, Stew Regan & Richard Darling
Package Design: Nigel Fletcher
Illustructions: Alistair Graham

The Stun was an unfortunate accident by...

Editor: Mike Clark
Hacks: Mel Croucher, Robin Evans, Colin Jones, Richard Darling & Mike Clark
Production: Stew Regan

Please address all monetary gifts, offers of cushy jobs and correspondence from delightful young ladies (a photo is a must) the The Editor, THE STUN, PO box 6, SOUTHAM, Warwickshire CV33 0SH.

Reluctantly published by the CodeMasters Software Company Ltd., PO Box 6, Southam, Warwickshire, England CV33 0SH.

Uncle Cecil's Loading Instructions

Somewhere amongst all the super-hip outasight goodies enclosed in this bright shiny box, you should find, at no extra cost to yourself, what we in the business call a 'computer game'.

This miracle of modern technology will enable you to experience the thrill packed world of the "Rock Biz" without straying from the comfort of your favourite armchair.

All you have to do is match your groovy happening Rockstar game with a suitable computer and follow the simple instructions below.

Cassette

In all cases, insert and rewind the GAME cassette before following these instructions:

Disks

Other Formats

We are sorry if you own an abacus - due to the present state of the market we feel that we can no longer convert games to this format economically.