Allegedly spurred by Michael Jackson's death, and not because they are only interested in protecting their investments in a down marketplace, the Guardian is reporting that music labels are working on substance abuse suspension clauses in musician contracts that would allow labels to "suspend" artists until the seek treatment if they have drug problems. Apparently the labels feel that they are like the NFL, or judges, and they'd like to remove the "drugs" from "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll."

 

"Lawyers, accountants, managers, tour managers and personal assistants are in a terribly vulnerable position," Marc Marot, former Island records boss, said. "They are one phone call away from being fired at any one point," Marot told the Guardian, speaking of the need for an enforceable clause. "Record companies are different. Record companies can't be fired quite so easily. You've got a six-album deal with an artist and you are only one album in and they begin to fall off the wagon."

This could be a noble thing for the labels if it wasn't primarily financially motivated-- because let's face it, everything they've ever done is financially motivated-- but it's likely aimed at them easily opting out of contracts if Amy Winehouse or Pete Doherty or the bozo from Creed get self-destructive instead of making hit records. I'd be surprised if this actually happens, since I can't imagine anyone wanting to sign a contract that would allow the label to decide when you have a "substance abuse problem." [Spinner]