After the Paris attacks Bono went on record and said this is the first time music was impacted by the war on terror.
“If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror, or whatever it’s called. It’s very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show, you at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognizable situation for you and for me and the cold-blooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that’s what I can’t get out of my head.”
We would never expect that terrorists would open fire in a club full of music fans.
Adele nearly gave up music after the huge success of her album ’21’. After producing chart topping songs, Adele felt she could never write and match that successful moment again. Instead of being excited, she felt fearful & lonely.
“How I felt when I wrote ‘21,’ I wouldn’t want to feel again,” she told The New York Times.
“It was horrible. I was miserable, I was lonely, I was sad, I was angry, I was bitter. I thought I was going to be single for the rest of my life. I thought I was never going to love again. It’s not worth it.”
“I didn’t think I had it in me to write another record. I didn’t know if I should. Because of how successful ‘21’ was, I thought, ‘Maybe everyone’s happy with that being the last thing from me. Maybe I should bow out on a high.’”
Within time, she got over her fear of failure and reconsidered her options.
“As time went on, I realised I had no choice. I have to write more music for myself, and there’s nothing else I want to do.”
“Tell me a musician who’s got rich off digital sales,” Prince told a newspaper. “Apple’s doing pretty good though, right?”
Although Prince is right in the fact that artist can’t get rich from digital sales alone, the internet has helped artists reach new heights like never before. Look at Adele and Taylor Swift for instance. Both artists have achieved massive success, due partly to the internet. Adele released ‘Hello‘ on YouTube and millions of people were talking about the song within seconds of it being uploaded.
Anyhow, the days when Prince ruled the world are surely different from today. Music is shared through social networks and marketed through iTunes, Amazon, and YouTube; instead of MTV, radio, and record stores. And of course, competition is more fierce.
We live in a culture where a pop artist will do anything for a charting album. Justin Bieber went to the greatest lengths I have seen. Oddly enough, a cab ride with Lyft will get you a free Bieber CD. If you book a $5 Lyft ride, you’ll get a free Justin Bieber album download, and a credit back for $5 for another ride. Of course this whole marketing effort is to pump first week album sales hoping for a #1 album.
He is also giving away the album in “bundles” to ticket holders attending his upcoming shows.
Insiders are making it known that the classic Guns N’ Roses lineup are moments away from announcing a reunion tour. I hear the money offers are outrageous, nearing $100 million. I am not sure where the band will tour, but it’s definitely happening.