Leon Jackson: Shock At Being Dropped By Record Label
X Factor winner Leon (you know your not really famous when you have to include a surname) Jackson, only found out in recent days that he had in fact been dropped by his record label after reading it in the newspaper.
Imagine the shock, sitting with your morning cup of tea, only to read that you will be joining the umemployment queue in a few hours time!
Leon has apparently been quote as saying: “The label never told me I had been dropped. I never heard it directly from anyone. Word filtered through the management about the likelihood of it happening but I was never told a date. No one at the label ever told me. The first time I knew was yesterday in the paper.”
Leon is blaming bad promotion of his records and a lack of support for his failure to remain signed. His debut album ‘Right Now’ sold a measly 130,000 copies.
In contrast the series runner up Rhydian Roberts sold a massive 500,000 copies of his classical record.
Comments supposedly made by X Factor judge Mr Simon Cowell have disheartened Leon, yet made the drop from his record label somewhat of a welcome relief at the same time.
Leon said: “I’m happy and not at all bitter. I think, in fact, this could be a blessing in disguise. It’s evident that I wasn’t Simon Cowell’s favourite choice to win X Factor.”
According to sources, it appears Simon never felt Leon should have won the X Factor and now feels the difference between Leon and Rhydian’s record sales have proved him right.
I think if we compare last years X Factor winner Leona Lewis to both Leon and Rhydian, it is clear that neither were or ever will be in the talent league as Leona. British Public….what were you thinking!!
Are you kidding me?
Leon obviously wasn’t good, he was out of tune and toneless throughout X Factor…but Rhydian?
Rhydian ROberts is as good, if not better,as Leona Lewis. Just listen to his live vocals before coming up with this far-fetchedopinions. I’d say, for a runner up to be 4th top seller XF alumni , with 600,000 + albums to his belt, is a Very good thing, especially in the economic climate that affects all- music industry included. If it was the same climate as in, say, 2007 or 2004, I’d bet top dollars he would have sold close to 1 mil or more. And Rhydian didn’t have worldwide promo as Leona had- because he wasn’t the winner… Just give him Ryan Tedder and Akon and all those top producers Leona had, add the massive TV&radio promotion she received worldwide and I’m sure Rhydian would sell as much as Leona – if not more.
Simmy,
Rhydian is shit. Yes the guy can sing – but as a performer – it just doesn’t work IMO.
I was shocked that he got so far in the X-Factor. Perhaps everyone in Wales was voting for him just because he’s Welsh.
He sings opera. The market for a hugely popular Opera singer is niche in comparison to POP or Rock genres. He would NEVER out-sell Leona Lewis – ever – fact.
I am shocked and appalled by the comment made by Music Review Zone – though it maybe your own personal opinion, its the bit about the Welsh that agers me slightly, just because Rhydian Roberts is Welsh does not mean that he is horrible, he is a very kind gentleman, who cares for other people, and can sing from the heart and soul, which touches all of his fans, including me
Leona Lewis has been around longer than Rhydian, so of course she is going to have sold more records and albums to Rhydian, that is a well known fact. Though Rhydian sings mainly ‘Opera’ it is what he does best and as someone has mentioned before, when trying to cross between different genres of music, it doesn’t always work, the example being Charlotte Church.
Rhydian’s tour so far has sold out everywhere and is merely impossible to get tickets, which goes to show how popular he really is and that Simon Cowell should have gone with Rhydian as the winner as he deserved it more
Hi Amy,
I didn’t say that Rhydian being Welsh had anything to do with my opinion.
There are many fine artists from Wales (Stereophonics, Tom Jones, Manic Street Preachers etc).
I made reference to the Welsh to highlight the voting preferences of people who call into vote on such shows. Can you say the best artist wins the Eurovision every year? Don’t think so. Why? Because friendly countries club together to vote for each other.
Just as, I presume, the Welsh did for Rhydian.
It was me who made reference to the Charlotte Church synergies. She couldn’t use her opera voice to sing POP – so had to completely retrain her voice.
It is for this reason that I can’t like Rhydian. He sings POP and Rock songs in a classical manner – which IMO kills the songs.
If he is classically trained – he should sing proper classical songs.
Again – just my opinion.
So the fact that Leona Lewis has out-sold Rhydian makes her ‘better’ does it and makes him ’shit’, does it? How old are you??
And you really need to ask your music teacher to help you brush up on different genres of music if you think Rhydian ’sings opera’ LOL. Whilst he certainly trained in the classical field and did indeed win prestigious awards for singing challenging operatic arias whilst still at the Birmingham Conservatoire, not ONE song he sang on X Factor or has sung since has been what anyone who knew what they were talking about could possibly call opera. Maybe you were ‘thrown’ by him singing ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on XF4, lol? No, that’s definitely not ‘opera’, it just has the word in the title.
PS Josh Groban’s sales absolutely dwarf Ms Lewis’ and he’s in broadly the same field as Rhydian (without the extreme vocal talent or on stage charisma, of course).
Let’s judge Leona’s credentials when she (FINALLY!) has her own tour (WHEN IS THIS GONNA HAPPEN??). Rhydian’s current tour has so far been a commercial and critical triumph.
Oh please.
Rhydian sings in the operatic style – he is classically trained for it. He cannot sing in any other form. Like Charlotte Church before she “crossed over” – however well you think that went!
He’d never be a Rock or POP star. He is niche.
You are clearly a fan – so this argument could go on for ever but IMO – he could never be bigger than Leona Lewis because POP records sell more.
Now don’t bash me. Rhydian is a superb singer.
So, Rhydian isn’t ’shit’ now, he’s a ’superb singer’? Seriously, have you any idea what you are talking about? Classically-trained? Yes, absolutely. Can only sing in one style? Nonsense. The sign of a ’superb singer’ is when they can sing in several genres of music. Rock, POP, classical, etc etc. It’s called versatility. You heard Leona sing an upbeat number? Doesn’t work somehow, does it? Not forgetting her almost non-existent bottom register. Ouch.
PS Freddie Mercury was classically-trained, BTW.
PPS You really should find out what ‘opera’ actually is because you are embarrassing yourself with your lack of music knowledge. Many people get it wrong but the vast majority of them don’t run music review sites. Unforgiveably amateur…
You are clearly missing my first comment.
“Yes the guy can sing”
So climb down off your high horse.
Second, I know what Opera is. Your tone in unnecessary.
I have given MY opinion on Rhydian. The whole way through the X Factor Rhydian sang Rock and Pop songs in a Classical manner. That does not give him versatility. That makes him kill the Rock songs that I like.
You are entitled to yours.
@Willie:
You are a butt-licker. Freddie Mercury was classically trained alright – but not vocally.
He was a classically trained PIANIST.
You tried to reference him in your argument like he was a classically trained VOCALIST.
Fail.
Why comparing Rhydian and Leona Lewis?
Leona is very good vocalist, but her genre is one and only one – a pop! She is young Whitney, Celine or Mariah, even the style is the same, sometimes even the tone of the voice is the same as the other three divas I’ve mentioned! She is not a novelty, she is not versatile, she is not an exciting performer.
Rhydian is unique, nobody is like him.
He is baritone singer with the vocal range of the light tenor, I would say that he has the widest vocal range I’ve ever heard in any other singer, versatile as nobody before him, the mesmerizing performer, he owns the stage when he performs like he’s been there since ever. He is the the best qualified artist who has ever stepped on the stage of the British music. He is classically trained, but this young man has in one year time achieved to sing not only classical musical pieces, but has outperformed the original singers in their original songs in pop and the rock genre. Without any proper advertisement his album has become double platinum in few months and that only in UK. His first tour has been sold out in no time and just now he’s been touring with the great professional and commercial success. If the person who has started this discussion don’t believe me go to YT and check out Rhydian performances at his tour of the songs of the Queen, MeatLoaf, David Bowie,…
We can’t measure and compare these two artist, Rhydian is here to stay for a long time when the star of Leona Lewis will long be gone and let us have the same discussion in ten years time and we’ll see who has sold more albums and who is going to be more respectful and successful artist!
Comparing Leona and Rhydian is pointless. They’re voices are so vastly different, trying to say who’s better is impossible.
Anyway, it all comes down to opinion.
I’m huge fans of them both, but I’d never pay money to see Leona live, because although her album is great, she just sings and stands there (not saying thats a bad thing).
Going to see Rhydian live however, best musical experience of my life, and I’ve seen Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton (again, no comparrison, you cant say who is better cause theyre too different). He can sing amazingly, he can dance, he is confident and interacts so well with the audience.
But for me, what puts him on top as a performer in my books, is how believable he is… He put everything into his songs and I believe every word that comes out of his mouth.
Rhydian didnt release a single, didnt win the frickin show and will never have a music vid on tv- just like Bob Dylan, Deep Purple and a lot of the greats, because they didnt need it, and of course, it would compromise their music.
Rhydian did miles better than Leon, who was advertised, has a single bla bla.
But as for Leona, comparisons are pointless, there will be no resolve.
Its all about what you personally like, who you personally prefer…
I personally prefer Rhyd =]
I didn’t like Rhydian much.
I admit, he had a pretty good voice, but he was way too cocky for his own freaking good.
His music was pretty boring. Not entertaining at all.
Wasn’t exactly the most talented person on earth.
Basically, he’s good, but he’s a rubbish performer.
Leon, on the other hand, is really talented. Yes, he’s not the most talented dude on earth, but more talented than Rhydian.
He’s a fantastic performer, not cocky, and his music always puts a smile on my face.
And he does have an amazing voice. I love it. Loads of people do.
He didn’t have to be dropped. I miss his music!
Like other people have said already… No point in comparing people who are COMPLETELY different. That’s just retarded.
I agree with you Holly. Leon is extremely talented and I love to sit and listen to his CD’s. Simmy must be tone deaf to say that Leon was toneless throughout X-Factor. That is so untrue. I really believe that his promoters sucked and didn’t do their job. I feel that Leon will get back on his feet and take his music in a different direction. Some feel that it was the style of music he was singing and that it wasn’t geared towards the younger crowd. I have mixed feelings on that. That may be the case. Any how, I hope to see him succeed in whatever he decides to do because he totally deserves it.
Leon’s music video of “Creative” is star quality. There must not have been much promotion of Leon in the U.S.A. I just this week stumbled on him on youtube. I think his whole story and talent are phenomenal. I’m sure he will do well if he is expertly promoted in America. Good luck to you LEON! To paraphrase our California governor; You’ll be back!
I’m a Canadian and we always wondered when his album would come out. We never heard a peep. I found, only through internet searching the he even had an album.
How can something sell if there is no promotion? Leon Jackson can absolutely sing, but he also has class and style.
If there had been the same boy with the same voice and talent as Leon Jackson in America, he would be huge right now.
I would love for there to be a duet between Buble and Leon. A new single with both their voices only to prove that their style of music is timeless and – yes – even us young kids like it!
I wish Leon all the best and I hope he doesn’t give up on his amazing voice. His voice equals sexiness and evenings full of champagne, silk gowns and tuxedos.