Prince's Album Giveaway Causes Stir In U.K.

  I   Pop superstar Prince has announced plans to give away his forthcoming album, Planet Earth, in the British tabloid Mail on Sunday. The move prompted his U.K. record label, Sony BMG, to cancel the album's release in that country, the BBC reported Saturday.

Industry officials expressed anger at Prince's decision. "The Artist formerly known as Prince should know that with behavior like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores," said, Paul Quirk, co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association.

Prince's album is still slated for release July 24 in the U.S. on Columbia Records, which is part of Sony BMG. However, the disc will only be available in the U.K. in the July 15 edition of Mail on Sunday, and also free for ticket holders at Prince's 21-night series of London concerts in August and September.

The Mail on Sunday has given away free albums in the past—releases from Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, UB40 and Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells have all graced the tabloid's pages.

For more details, visit Prince's web site at 3121.com.



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