Dorothy Carvello knows all about the music biz. She was the first female A&R executive at Atlantic Records, and one of the few in the room at RCA and Columbia. But before that, she was secretary to Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic’s infamous president, who signed acts like Aretha Franklin and Led Zeppelin, negotiated distribution deals with Mick Jagger, and added Neil Young to Crosby, Stills & Nash.

In the memoir ‘Anything for a Hit’, Dorothy details her experience of toxic work culture during her career as a record executive The stories she tells about the kingmakers of the music industry are outrageous, but it is her sinuous friendship with Ahmet that frames her narrative. He was notoriously abusive, sexually harassing Dorothy on a daily basis.

Carvello reveals here how she flipped the script and showed Ertegun and every other man who tried to control her that a woman can be just as willing to do what it takes to get a hit. The book features never-before-heard stories about artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Steven Tyler, Bon Jovi, INXS, Marc Anthony, Phil Collins, and many more, this book is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what it's really like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry.  And Why Not Her? are delighted that Dorothy took the time to speak to host Linda Coogan Byrne on the podcast. 

There are issues of sexual assault and rape in this podcast if you are affected by any issues raised please feel free to contact the below helplines:

• Victim Connect (USA)

• The Rape Crisis Centre (Ireland)

• Samaritans (UK)

Why not join the movement over at www.whynother.net

Music by TimTaj

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