Arista25...

On the Eve of Label's 25th Anniversary Celebration, Arista Records Post Best Sales Revenues in History of Company.

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 4, 2000--The Arista Records hotstreak began as the company opened its doors in 1975 when Barry Manilow's smash hit "Mandy" went gold only three months after the company's inception. Within twelve months of doing business, Arista had already scored four gold albums and by its third year had eleven gold and three platinum records.

Now on the eve of its 25th year to be celebrated with a primetime NBC television special on May 15th, Arista proudly announces the company's best sales figures in its history. Specifically, Arista finishes its first nine months of its fiscal year with an impressive $425 million in gross revenues in the United States, which makes gross revenues for the last nine months higher than any full year in the company's history. Arista is expected to achieve record profits for the fiscal year ending in June with sales exceeding the $550 million mark. Adding to the unprecedented statistics, Arista's current album marketshare is 7.2% and its marketshare in the singles market is again No. 1 in the music industry at 15.3%.

This enormous accomplishment can be attributed to 10x Grammy winner Santana, whose Supernatural album (their first No. 1 album since 1971) has now shipped 16 million copies worldwide. The Supernatural album also is expected to achieve approximately $250 million in worldwide revenue by the end of the calendar year. The album's second single "Maria Maria," is the No. 1 record on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart this week, repeating the No. 1 position achieved by the albums first single "Smooth." "Maria, Maria" is also the No. 1 R&B single of the week, a first on this chart for Santana.

Also contributing to Arista's outstanding results is this year's R&B Female Grammy winner Whitney Houston whose album My Love Is Your Love has sold over 9 million copies worldwide. Domestically, the Totally Hits compilation sold 2 million units, Sarah McLachlan's Mirrorball sold 2.5 million units, and others include Q-Tip (700,000), Monica (2x Platinum), Angie Stone (750,000), and LFO (1.5 million). LaFace/Arista recording group TLC's Fanmail album was certified five times platinum while Bad Boy/Arista successes include Puff Daddy (1.8 million), Notorious B.I.G. (2 million), and the new star Black Rob who's album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's pop album chart.

On May 15, the historic year continues when NBC television broadcasts in primetime a two hour special saluting Arista Records and Clive Davis entitled 25 Years Of No. 1 Hits: Arista Records Anniversary Celebration featuring performances by Santana, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Toni Braxton, Puff Daddy, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Alan Jackson, Barry Manilow, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny G, Patti Smith, Deborah Cox, LFO, Monica, Next, Westlife and many others. This once-in-a-lifetime concert special will benefit amFAR, City Of Hope, and T.J. Martell Foundation. Tickets are available to the general public at the Ticketmaster website (www.ticketmaster.com) or via the LA phone number, (213) 480-3232. Tickets are priced at $35, $150 and $500. The taping takes place in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium on April 10th.

NEWSFILE: 4 APRIL 2000