The Wall Street Journal ran this piece on Irving "LM" Azoff, who would end up the czar of any Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger. If you want to start distributing blame for high ticket prices, make sure you put file-sharing/music theft on your list. A money graph:
How much have things changed for artists? Today, Mr. Azoff estimates that his oldest and biggest clients derive just 6 percent of their revenue from recorded-music sales (including downloads), down from 50 percent a decade ago.
What's "LM" stand for, Tim?
Posted by: Gary | February 23, 2009 at 02:07 PM
That was my attempt at humor, as in "LMAO." Or Irving "Laugh My" Azoff (all the way to the bank).
Posted by: Tim Finn | February 23, 2009 at 02:09 PM
I wonder how much overall spending in the industry has dropped - music is much more democratic and segmented than it was 10 years ago. I think people are still buying (in whatever format) a lot of music, it's just what they want to hear instead of what the "music industry" tries to shove down our throats. Like any business, the industry needs to adapt or die and be replaced by a more effecient model. Their current strategy of trying to keep the past alive through fascist acts like arresting college kids for illegal downloads and attempting to encode purchased music to control where it's played doesn't seem to be working. I don't pretend to know what the answers are, but using yesterday's solutions for tomorrow's problems doesn't seem to be benefiting anyone. There certainly aren't any guarantees for anyone in any segment of this economy - I guess that goes for the music industry as well. If the current executives can't figure out - show them the door.
Posted by: aquaman | February 23, 2009 at 02:19 PM
There is just way more competition now for money and attentions and it comes in many forms (and a lot of it involves sitting in front of a screen). Music is as essential and relevant as ever, but there are way too many better and cheaper options to buying a 12- or 15-track CD for $15.99. You gotta go a la carte (and drive-through) not sit-down prix fixe. And there's not as much money in that.
Posted by: Tim Finn | February 23, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Azzclown has his finger on the last pulse of the music industry, the concerts. Recorded music is a dying revenue stream. But, the concert business is still ripe....obviously his control of that medium stands to make him a lot of money at the expense of fans of live music. There's still plenty of time for the revolution fans. Take back live music too. Boycott the pig.....
Posted by: oink oink | February 23, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Most of the new music sucks, you won't be listening to it 10 weeks from now, let alone 10 years from now, the Big artists touring are all bands that have been around in one form or another for 30 plus years or more. Rock and Roll is DEAD. RIP
Posted by: Hugh Askew | February 23, 2009 at 09:56 PM
LM!!!!AAAZZZZOOOFFF..hehehe hHAAHAHAHAHAH HAHAHAAH HA .....azzzoff??!!!!???
HEHEEHEHE
HEHAHAHAHHHEHEHE Hee ..
hehehee ..
I LIKE IT ..I LIKE IT A LOT!!
LM..... : )AAAZZZZOFFF!!
ps
HAPPY MARDI GRAS
EVERYBODY!!!
Posted by: what up | February 24, 2009 at 01:31 AM
Too bad he could not be satified having his underlings babysit Joe Walsh and the rest of The Eagles 30 years ago. He has earned the fortune of 30,000 men. The "LM" was funnier thaN, well you know what I mean.
Posted by: Larry Luper | February 25, 2009 at 04:52 AM