An Excellent New Read: "A Brief History Of Why Artists Are No Longer Making A Living..."

@simao : I get it. We have a tendency to look back at other times and possibly glorify them more than we should. I'm bad about that myself. And I would assert that as in all things, certain time periods are often truly better in some respect or another. And I do, in general, see western culture and society in a state of decline in many respects.

But I don't see success in music as any different from success in professional sports, literature, movie and TV, motor racing, etc. The fact is that extraordinarily few of the people who try it are going to make it big and very very few are going to make a good living at it. That is the nature of talent for hire.

I've read the stories of many many bands that got big, all the way back to the 60's. It has never been easy or fair. The best talent doesn't always get the gig. And I think that suggesting that it was somehow easier back then than now is a bridge too far.

But, as orpheus suggests, I'm not in the business and have no experience with the economy (rolls eyes)....so what do I know?

Just what I see.

Go see The Struts. $20. One of the best shows I've seen. Going to see them twice in May. A real rock show.

However, looked into Gary Clark, Jr and Leon Bridges as well. Around $100 and neither one of them are household names. I'd pay that, but not more.

Then again, how many of these artists dictate their prices vs. having a set fee and the venue dictating the prices to recoup that fee plus expenses?

Thanks for the interesting article. I learned a lot. 

Best,
gary