Pearl Jam's "World Wide Suicide," which, to date, has been solely available over the Internet became the first single to hit #1 in Canada without appearing in any tangible format. Without selling any hard copies of the single or distributing CDs to radio programmers, consultants and industry contacts, "World Wide Suicide" becomes the first digitally delivered #1 song in Canada's history.

"To make chart history as we've just done, speaks volumes about the music itself and we're honored to be associated with Pearl Jam," said Warren Copnick, Director of National Promotion for SONY, BMG Music (Canada) Inc. Bill Burrs, VP of Rock Music at RCA Music Group (U.S.) was extremely complementary towards Musicrypt Inc.'s Digital Media Distribution System, through which the Pearl Jam hit was distributed. "We are extremely pleased that a broadcast quality track combined with promotion information was delivered to radio via DMDS," said Burrs. "The simultaneous release to radio in both the US and Canada is important for fair competitive reasons, and DMDS enables us to do this confidently."

John Heaven, President & CEO of Musicrypt said, "The ability of DMDS to aid in promotion by rapidly and securely distributing key releases is clearly demonstrated by these groundbreaking results. The savings DMDS can deliver to the entire music industry by eliminating prerelease leaks and lowering labor, material and delivery costs is expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars."

While it may not be time to turn in your CDs just yet, you shouldn't need a weatherman to know which way this wind is blowing.

Labels: Pearl Jam