THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Music from Beyond the Grave

By:  Amber Wakefield, Staff Reporter
 

This past week we were stunned to learn of the return of one of the music industry's most widely discussed figures, Mr. Alexander Knight.  Knight, the founder of Troubadour Records, was said to have died some time ago and his sudden demise left music fans all over the world stunned.  Today I sat down with Mr. Knight to get the low down on what the story behind his 'misreported' demise really was and what's next for this musical legend.

WAKEFIELD:  Mr. Knight thanks for sitting down with me today, I am a true fan of your work.  I have to admit I never thought I'd have the chance to interview you, given the reports of your demise.  Obviously, the question on everyone's mind today is, how is it that they got it so wrong?  What's the real story behind your reported death?

KNIGHT: Always a pleasure to meet a true fan Miss Wakefield, and if I may so say myself, the feeling is mutual. Always been a steadfast follower and supporter of your own journalistic endeavours at the Chicago Sun. Precisely why I wanted you to be the one to break the news so to speak.

reflective pause

I can't really blame your peers for exaggerating the rumours of my demise as much as they did. That was the way it was arranged you see. After my performance at the Luciano-Byrne wedding, I was to head into the Soviet Union as a part of my assignment while a cover story was established in Philadelphia. The authorities that searched for me and Dr Santoro who pronounced me dead were simply following routine protocol. It wasn't my choice to deceive my fans so blatantly but I didn't really have much of a choice. The task was too important.

WAKEFIELD:  Russia?  Assignment?  Protocol?  Mr. Knight are you implying that you were involved with the government on some sort of special operation?  What can you tell our readers about the nature of your mission?  Is your work with the government completed and can we expect your return to the world of music soon?

KNIGHT: Forgive me, but legally speaking I can neither confirm, nor deny any of what you just implied. Still, I am sure someone as smart as yourself can surmise that there aren't too many reasons to visit the Soviet heartland in these troubling times, especially if you're a capitalist entrepreneur like myself. 

However, please understand that my decision to return was not born out of selfish interests to get away from my.. patriotic duty. During my stay there and my sanctioned interactions with some of the unsavoury elements, I would be routinely embroiled in conflicts despite the best efforts of the people assigned to take care of me. It was simply an occupational hazard that came with the essential work I was trying to accomplish.

My last interaction proved to be too close of a call. I suffered an orbital fracture and permanent discolouration in my right eye as well extensive nerve damage to my right knee. The subsequent visible scar and the noticeable limp robbed me of my operational capabilities by impinging on my anonymity. Therefore I was recalled prematurely.

While I regret being unable to finish my task, I can assure all my fans that I am now free of any and all obligations. As such the majority of my time will be spent right here in the states. I realize the music world has changed severely in my absence and it will take some getting used to, but I fully intend to immerse myself in it again.

WAKEFIELD:  Unsavory elements?  There are some who have speculated you've long traveled in dangerous circles even before your incorrectly reported demise.  Why even the Luciano/Byrne wedding was rumored to be little more than a social front for massive moves among the groups known as the American Mafia.  While your musical talent is undeniable, what is your response to claims that your rise to prominence in the music industry has much to do with such groups and individuals?  

disapproving sigh

KNIGHT:  As you are well aware Miss Wakefield, there exist sections of the press that do not value integrity. They have a penchant for glamorising rumours as well as a complete absence of any moral qualms about pursuing unjust crusades against certain members of the society if financed by their backers.

As much as Hollywood and the press would like to convince you that the Mafia, if they even are as ever-present as people say, likes to influence public figures it couldn't be further from the truth. No evidence has ever emerged against me that stood up to tough rhetoric in a court of law. The New Orleans Music Association nearly bankrupted themselves by filing lawsuit after lawsuit against my company Troubadour's records in my absence, taking advantage of the coming elections and the increased political demand to find a poster boy for mob conspiracy in the public sphere.

I hold immense gratitude to the Philadelphia based businessman and philanthropist, my late friend Charlie Pavanno, who took over the reins of Troubadour's Records in my absence, for steering the enterprise through all such unjust accusations. Perhaps if NOMA had focussed a little more on business administration and a little less on strange fantasies of conspiracies involving the Mafia, they would have still managed to maintain their hegemony over the East Coast music scene and we would be simple rivals who never managed to reach the heights we have under  the strong leadership of the dearly departed Mr Pavanno.

My heart goes out to him and anyone he left behind. In fact, I would like to make use of this forum to reach out to his family and offer my sincere help if they ever need it.

WAKEFIELD:  Speaking of NOMA, maybe you'd care to touch a little bit upon the merger with them?  Truly Troubadour records stand poised to be a major force in the music industry.  One could even say you really are the face of the East Coast music scene.  Any plans for future expansion?

KNIGHT:  My lawyer informs me that it was one of the long-term projects initiated by Mr Pavanno. Having just returned, I am not fully aware of the details, but as the majority shareholder, I am fully behind this project. The merger has been finalized this morning and a press release would likely be issued by the time this article is printed.

As you might know, I travelled from city to city to earn an opportunity and claw my way out from mediocrity. If I had the resources or the exposure that I required, my formative years in the music business would have smoothly progressed. My reasons for starting Troubadour's Records were twofold. I wanted to independently release an album without the restrictions that came with an old school corporation like NOMA and I wanted to create an umbrella organization for artists like myself to find shelter under.

With this merger, Troubadour's Records will now have the ability to foster a large spectrum of incredible talent from classical musicians to movie composers and everything in between. Never again will a musician have to stifle their creativity because of lack of an opportunity. 

In the upcoming weeks, I will be personally conversing with local business owners in many of the major cities with the hopes of establishing a long-term partnership. If successful, we will begin providing training to talent nationwide and not just in terms of musical theory, but in terms of practical business application and live performance experience in clubs or bars all around the country. Some might even get a chance to record their own albums under our banner.

Trust me, Miss Walker. A new age will soon dawn on the world of music.

WAKEFIELD:  I'm sure that I am not the only one who will be watching your future with interest, Mr. Knight.  Thank you again for taking time to meet with me.

And there you have it folks, Alexander Knight has returned from the grave and the future of the music industry will definitely not be the same hereafter.  Continue to follow our articles in the Sun-Times for more information on this and many other prominent figures in today's society.