Peter Andre's 1995 hit 'Mysterious Girl' not only topped charts but also secretly bankrolled the early careers of rock bands Muse and Garbage, according to former record label boss Korda Marshall.
The Financial Boost from a Pop Hit
Korda Marshall, who was Head of A&R at Sony RCA before launching his own label, revealed on the Uprawr Podcast that the profits from Andre's success were reinvested into other acts. 'We had a big pop act, who everybody really laughed at,' he said, referring to Andre. 'So we had Mysterious Girl, which was the biggest record of the year.'
Marshall's label, Mushroom Records, had three major hits that year, all with 'Girl' in the title: Mysterious Girl, Ash's 'Girl from Mars', and Garbage's 'Stupid Girl'. He explained that the money generated from Andre's four number ones and his massive album was used to support Ash, Garbage, Muse, Zero 7, Paul Oakenfold, and others.
Building a Rock Empire
This strategy paid off, as many of these artists became massive. Mushroom Records grew exponentially and was eventually sold to News International, making James Murdoch Marshall's boss. Marshall noted that the profits were 'obscene', with no lawyers or accountants steering decisions, allowing them creative freedom.
Muse, formed in the early 1990s, had struggled initially. Their first single 'Uno' charted at number 73 in 1999, and it wasn't until 2003's 'Time Is Running Out' that they hit the Top 10. Despite the band being 'two million quid in the hole', James Murdoch praised their third album 'Absolution' as 'great'. Marshall recalled Murdoch saying, 'Yeah, but they're great, aren't they? It's only money, let's pick it up.'
That gamble paid off: 'Absolution' became Muse's first Number 1 album and was certified triple platinum. The band went on to top the charts with their next seven albums.
