Company Blog
Hey, ho, let’s go!
by Adam Zack — February 26, 2020
They were together long enough to record genius.
I spend a lot of time writing how teamwork is the driving force to success in the grocery industry, especially for independents. We have to have our team members backs, right? There is no “I” in team, or so the saying goes. We have to be a great band to make great records for long periods of time. I was listening to the Beach Boys’ “Surfer Girl” and “Wendy” this week. I was really listening closely, and it struck me just how brilliant their harmonies were. The complexity of the music and the vocals surely meant that they were a great team. Wrong. The band was the combination of three brothers, their cousin and a couple close friends. In-fighting, jealousy and different lifestyle priorities (the “we like drugs” team and the “we don’t” side.) They hated each other. Yet when it came down to making one of the greatest albums of all time, Pet Sounds, they were together long enough to record genius. The Ramones, pioneers of four-chord punk rock changed the landscape of American rock and roll in the late 70’s. They produced enough music to change music forever (there’s no Green Day without the Ramones, just to name one). They toured constantly. They dressed alike and had the same (made up) last name. They looked like a family. Yet for most of the band’s 22 years together, singer Johnny and lead guitarist/songwriter did not speak to each other. Not at all. Crazy. I guess that’s why I’m in the grocery business and not a rock band. I need teamwork. I hate dysfunction. And I think the winners in our industry do too.
Read More – Think Before You Act
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