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into the American dates he called Dennis Katz, now
managing Lou Reed, to see if he could secure a
record deal for The Spiders – without their singer.
Katz soon called to say he’d secured a six-figure
advance from CBS. The trio were buoyed up, until a
traitorous roadie informed Defries of the band’s
scheme. Characteristically hard-ball, Defries
informed CBS that Katz had no right to negotiate for
The Spiders, cutting him out of the deal entirely.
Then he called a meeting with the band, and
emolliently informed them, ‘Why didn’t you tell me
you wanted a record deal? RCA are willing to sign
you – they’ll pay you an advance – upfront, if you
want some money?’ According to Trevor Bolder,
Defries then embarked on a textbook divide-andrule
strategy, seeking out Ronson and offering him
his own solo deal.
Meanwhile, as he plotted with Ronson, Defries
lulled David’s rhythm section into a false sense of
security. Normally he barely bothered to register their
presence, now, when Woody Woodmansey returned
to the attack with his usual bluntness, demanding the
sidemen receive a rise to £500 a week, Defries was
uncharacteristically helpful, assuring them he’d
discuss the money situation with RCA. During their
last American dates in California, the manager
reported back, ‘RCA have agreed to pay you £500 a
week,’ he told them. ‘But you can’t have that until we
get to England – until then, you can have £200 a
week, but when we get to England you’ll get all the
money, upfront [as back-pay].’ Delighted that Defries
had finally seen sense, the Yorkshire duo chorused,