Robbie Williams has caused uproar at EMI - after going on strike against the label and refusing to release his next album. The former Take That star - who signed a $160million deal with the company in 2002, has vowed to withhold his next album in protest over thousands of predicted job cuts.
But yesterday, EMI sources insisted they wouldn't be blackmailed by the signer.
Robbie's walkout follows the takeover of EMI by private equity firm Terra Firma for $6.4billion. The firm's boss, Guy Hands is planning a shake-up.
Yesterday, Robbie's manager, Tim Clark angrily dubbed Hands a "plantation owner" who had made a "vanity purchase".
Clark's words received a furious response, with one company insider saying: "It's exactly like football.
"A new manager comes in and the agent tells him 'My center forward isn't going to score unless he gets a pay-rise.'
The executive added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Tim Clark always uses the media to negotiate. He put a gun to EMI's head with that $160million deal in 2002.
"He announced it before the deal had been formally done.
"EMI were put in an impossible position. It was either that - or lose a high-profile British artist. So they had to pay what everyone knew was a ridiculous amount.
"Robbie then fell out with his song-writing partner Guy Chambers and never did his big tour of the US. And he has only delivered two studio albums since, which is a pretty poor work rate. It's rich of Tim Clark to use a phrase like plantation owner to describe Mr Hands as he's a multi-millionaire Kenyan expat himself."
"Mr Hands want to get a business on its feet. He feels very strongly that acts should be measured on their own merits.
"There's plenty of EMI acts who are still very jealous and unhappy about Robbie getting that deal because it meant less for them.
"Stratospheric amounts have been paid to managers and lawyers too. It's time for a change."
The 33-year-old 'Rock DJ' singer is also thought to be demanding full control over his back catalog, as he wants to release music through his website.
But sources point out that Rob's strike could last "a ridiculously long time" as he is contracted to produce another studio album and Greatest Hits album by 2012.
One added: "If he were to release an album straight to the internet, he would be in breach of contract."
The row comes as it emerged all EMI artist managers have been ordered to meet Hands next week - and bring along their stars. Many big names are expected to snub it.
One worried insider said: "Everyone is dreading it. The mood round the office has been so sombre. We are all fear for our jobs."
By Owen Williams, Jan 12 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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