I believe touring and merchandising have always been where bands/artists can make the most money. If you have not read it, Courtney Love's essay from more than

I believe touring and merchandising have always been where bands/artists can make the most money. If you have not read it, Courtney Love's essay from more than a decade ago that coevered how bands get paid for albums might be eye opening http://www.salon.com/2000/06/14/love_7/ http://www.salon.com/2000/06/14/love_7/