6 Music - Music News

A movie about the highs and lows of the big Record Companies is in the pipeline.

The American network HBO has just bought the rights to a book called Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age.

Penned by Rolling Stone music journalist Steve Knopper, the book charts 30 years; beginning with the adoption of the CD in the early 80s, through the huge boom, to the music industry’s battle with online illegal file-sharing sites and the decline of CD sales.

"It’s a rise and fall story of a once, very incredibly healthy, great, rich, throwing its weight and money around kind of industry, that is no longer quite as grand," explained the writer.

The cable network has brought us classic series like Band Of Brothers, The Wire and The Sopranos.

Knopper told 6 Music News he hopes some musicians will get to take part in the film: "Since the book came out I have heard from some musicians who have liked it and I would think, philosophically, hopefully many would want to be attached to a project like this."

"Of course, you never know. Some of these guys already have labels and don’t want to burn any bridges. I criticise the record labels pretty harshly in my book," he said.

While it is out of his hands, Knopper said he would like to see actors Christopher Walken or Robin Williams cast in the part of Walter Yetnikoff, the former CBS Records/Sony Music executive.

As for the role of Tommy Mottola (pictured above), another music industry executive who is featured in the book and was married to Mariah Carey, the journalist said: "I was thinking somebody like Ray Liotta would be a perfect fit for him."

It could take years to come to fruition but they have optioned the rights to HBO and Broadway playwright Victoria Stewart is said to be on board writing an adaptation.