Special Segment (The New Payola) | Vanderbilt Television News Archive

Special Segment (The New Payola) #548531

NBC Evening News for Monday, Feb 24, 1986
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(Studio: Tom Brokaw) 1950's payola scandal among disc jockeys recalled.

(NYC: Brian Ross) Apparent resurgence of payola and possible Mafia connection examined; reputed Gambino boss Joseph Armone's alleged role detailed. Rock music promoters Joseph Isgro, who considers Armone his partner, and Fred DiSipio profiled. [Disc jockey Don COX - explains econs. involved in radio air time for records; describes promoters' effort to bribe him.] Suspected fraud in weekly top 40 hits chart and their importance to rock music ind. discussed. ["Radio and Record" editor Ken BARNES - cites seriousness of radio stations' phony tallies.] Amt. alleged paid DiSipio by single record company for promoting 1 record noted; Isgro's wealth described. Refusal of any major record company executive to discuss Isgro, DiSipio or payola issue out of fear quoted. Amt. believed involved annually cited. [Record promoter Jay McDANIEL - describes threats of violence against him when he refused to accept payola as industry norm.] Recent mob meeting involving Isgro, DiSipio, top Gambino bosses, include John Gotti, shown, discussed.

Reporter(s):: Brokaw, Tom;; Ross, Brian
Duration:: 00:06:50

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