3 ms·

I recall that some people did make a lot of money on record sales. It just depended on your deal. The Beach Boys owned the copyrights to their songs and that pr

I recall that some people did make a lot of money on record sales. It just depended on your deal. The Beach Boys owned the copyrights to their songs and that probably contributed to their financial success. They seemed to be very wealthy and didn't have a huge succession of number one hits but a few number ones and a lot of successful singles and records. Most people in that business make no money though from what I've seen. I have to believe that some of the more successful artists and bands that I listen to do alright (e.g. Belle & Sebastian, Arcade Fire, Brian Eno, Neko Case, etc.). Maybe I assume that because I can't imagine them working a job.

retube 16y ago
Maybe he's exaggerating when he says "no-one got paid". The point is though, then and now, that only a very small number of artists really make money from record sales. The smaller artists have always had to support themselves with gigging and touring. Artists have been kicking up a fuss because maybe they see piracy as a barrier to their big cash in. the reality is, i would suggest, that they wouldn't be cashing in anyway.
- joubert 16y ago
  Even the megastars tour & concert. Isn't it because musicians are performers / entertainers? Making albums only is probably not enough (emotional) reward.
  - inerte 16y ago
    Yes, people like appreciation and a crowd of thousands screaming/moving/kissing side by side with your creation is a very rewarding experience. Plus, the sex :) PS: I only played at small, local bars... so for me it's more like my mom, 5 friends, and some free beers.
tibbon 16y ago
There's a pretty big difference between really cashing in and not having to work a day job. I know several musicians who are full time professionals, but none of them are 'rich'. Even ones with a Grammy hanging on their wall aren't well off like Microsoft's first N employees. The bigger your band also the harder it will be for everyone to make a living (Arcade Fire vs Brian Eno).
michael_dorfman 16y ago
"It just depended on your deal" is a bit misleading, I think. I don't know (anecdotally) of anybody who got a good deal from a record company prior to 1970 or so, as Mick points out. The fraud and coercion reported by most artists is mind-boggling; artists were fleeced as a rule.

retube 16y ago

Maybe he's exaggerating when he says "no-one got paid". The point is though, then and now, that only a very small number of artists really make money from record sales. The smaller artists have always had to support themselves with gigging and touring. Artists have been kicking up a fuss because maybe they see piracy as a barrier to their big cash in. the reality is, i would suggest, that they wouldn't be cashing in anyway.

joubert 16y ago
Even the megastars tour & concert. Isn't it because musicians are performers / entertainers? Making albums only is probably not enough (emotional) reward.
- inerte 16y ago
  Yes, people like appreciation and a crowd of thousands screaming/moving/kissing side by side with your creation is a very rewarding experience. Plus, the sex :) PS: I only played at small, local bars... so for me it's more like my mom, 5 friends, and some free beers.

tibbon 16y ago

There's a pretty big difference between really cashing in and not having to work a day job. I know several musicians who are full time professionals, but none of them are 'rich'. Even ones with a Grammy hanging on their wall aren't well off like Microsoft's first N employees. The bigger your band also the harder it will be for everyone to make a living (Arcade Fire vs Brian Eno).

michael_dorfman 16y ago

"It just depended on your deal" is a bit misleading, I think. I don't know (anecdotally) of anybody who got a good deal from a record company prior to 1970 or so, as Mick points out. The fraud and coercion reported by most artists is mind-boggling; artists were fleeced as a rule.