21/08/2021
I think the entire music industry is on the brink of a paradigm shift, again. On August 29, 1966, The Beatles ended their last tour amidst security issues caused by John’s infamous “Jesus” statement. Also, they couldn't advance as musicians, in part, because of sound issues and road weariness. Record sales and radio play needed the support that constant touring provided. However, the artist in each band member was suffering. Often the artist is forced to create revenue that supports everyone up and down stream of their work. However, they took notice that in early 1965, a tired Elvis sent out his famed Gold Cadillac to tour cities, instead of himself. Perhaps the July 25, 1965 performance of Bob Dylan’s 1st plugged in event lent strength for change. It worked for Elvis, Bob Dylan showed artistic independence, and The Beatles (I’d like to think they rolled one) discussed making an album that would go on tour. The 1st concept album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was born on May 26, 1967 and was widely received as genius trade craft. The “concept” was connected loosely by the start of a show, all of its individual acts, and then a closing of the show. This allowed John, Paul, George, and Ringo to create a kind of alter ego, which would free them as artists. The Beatles, and that album, influenced many artists to advance the formula. Miles Davis’s “Bitches Brew”, David Bowe, KISS, and countless others were suddenly free of dictated chains “the business” bound them to. However, the business does learn. As the game changed, paper pushers and bean counters, with no concept of art or its creation, tightened their financial grip. We have all seen the struggles for control (notably PRINCE & Taylor Swift). Through NAPSTER, Morpheus, Spotify and so on, the artist has gotten lost in the pile. The tide shifted back to live performances to make a living, and are currently under attack. How will this go? Who will create the next “left turn at Albuquerque”?
I don’t know, but I feel the palpable loss. In the end, you need people. We all need each other. The only way you get what you want is to help enough other people get what they want. This life can be depressingly cold and lonely. Art, particularly music, is where we have communicated. Who will be the next to save this universal language, and how?
