September 14, 2005 15:42

Bob Dylan boycotted in Canada

HMV objects to the star\'s deal with Starbucks

Photo Gallery: Bob Dylan
Photo: Pa Photos

Bob Dylan’s entire back catalogue has been removed from the shelves of HMV stores in Canada after the star signed an exclusive deal with Starbucks.

The coffee giant has bought the rights to sell a new CD, ‘Live At Gaslight 1962’, exclusively through its outlets.

But now HMV have reacted angrily to the move, and have removed Dylan CDs from their shelves in protest, according to BBC News.

The Canadian branch of the retailer imposed a similar boycott on The Rolling Stones in 2003, with president Humphrey Kadaner saying: “Any artists that choose to exclude HMV as a retailer from selling the product, this will be our response.”

Starbucks have been actively trying to claim a piece of the music industry lately, with releases by Alanis Morrissette and girl band Antigone Rising released through their coffee shops this year.

But record shops are putting up a fight against such arrangements. Last year, HMV UK boycotted Chris de Burgh after he released a CD exclusively through Woolworths.