Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
That was interesting. I knew there were 2 fake Zombies touring and that the boys from ZZ Top were in one of them. That kinda filled in a few hazy spots.

The interesting thing is that they kinda make it sound like record companies were only screwing the musicians and writers back then..... Here comes Spotify to say, "Hold my beer, let me show you how it's really done"

In the arts, the gatekeepers always screw at least 95% of the artists. It has always been thus. But then, Bezos, Music, and others are making a fortune while paying their employees less than a pittance.

When I was working for Motown, there were four different Temptations, 4 Tops, and other groups touring the country at the same time. Smokey Robinson is quoted as saying, "If we ever have a Miracles reunion, we'd have to rent a football stadium."

The first and second time we opened for "The Association" they were two different groups. Perhaps 1 or 2 of the members were the originals.

I worked with a guy who toured as the lead singer of one of the touring "Platters", and no, he wasn't Tony Williams. He was a great singer, and made a modest but not extravagant life touring as "The Platters".

The deal Motown offered us, was 2¢ per record/cut in royalties. Out of that 2¢ came exaggerated recording, distribution, and promotional fees. Plus, we would have to change our name to something Motown would own, and they would have the right to hire, fire, and tour with multiple groups. For any songs we would write, they would have all publishing rights, and assign a 'ghostwriter' who did nothing but collect half the songwriting royalties.

While our manager was trying to get us a slightly better deal, they just quit talking to us, and quit hiring us. There were plenty of other groups willing to sign a bad contract. It's supply and demand.

Their second choice took whatever bait Motown offered, changed their name, and had a couple of hit songs. I doubt they made any money from them, but I don't know that for sure.

And that's why there are so many one-hit or one-CD wonders. They didn't make enough royalties to pay the exorbitant fees the labels were taking out of those royalties.

Of course, there are the few who go viral and have smash hits, first time out. They can negotiate a better deal for their second release. These become Beatles, Billy Joels, Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklins, and so on.

In the 'old days' the labels controlled everything. Especially after the big few bought up all the indie labels to reduce the competition, and they become a cartel. If you wanted exposure on the dominant listening platform at the time, the radio, you had to play the record company's game.

Now, anyone can put their music on the Internet, but without the label 'gatekeepers', there are so many out there, you have to get very creative for people to find you. And the streaming services like Spotify don't want to even pay 2¢ per play.

So I didn't quite make it, but I played with the heavyweight hitmakers of the industry, and as a 19-21 year old kid was treated as an equal by them (welcome to the club). I 'dated' more than my share of females in my life, and made a lot of money for a short time (and blew most of it). Plus, I played for huge audiences in venues, and that was thrilling.

After that, I managed to make a living doing music and nothing but music for almost all the years that followed. I met my soulmate who is also a musician and now Mrs. Notes, and we are still gigging, making music together.

I did try two different day jobs, while still playing on the weekends. I did this to see what being normal was. Neither one lasted that long, I went back to full-time music, because normal doesn't suit me.

I live modestly, we don't own luxury items, but the mortgage is paid off, we have no debt, and we are happy. I don't do the blue Monday to TGIF routine, and when we are on the job, we are doing our second favorite thing. wink Nobody owns me.

Being a star isn't the only way to enjoy a life making music, and if I had a chance to do it all over again, I'd do it the same way.

So although the labels ripped off the Zombies and so many other groups, if the musicians got a lifetime supporting themselves making music, and if they are happier doing that than a 9 to 5 gig, they are still successful.

How many others of us here are full-time musicians? Do you regret your choice? I don't regret it at all.

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Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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