Al Di Meola on CNBC - "Streaming is Killing Music"

He was just on and called upon other "mid-level musicians" (he joked that people like McCartney have too much money to care) to band together, with the RIAA's help, and take on streaming services. Says there's no incentive to record and that musicians are getting screwed.

If I find video, will post later.

 

Oh God not another misinformed commentator talking about the fictional death of music

 

.... says the man who poses like this on his latest album cover:

 

if you're physically frail and lack the ability to tour, streaming has effectively derailed what was once a living wage opportunity from sales of your art.

 

I would think his fans are old enough to still prefer physical media. He is not known for great album covers, though. That one above is CREAPY

 

agreed in many aspects - yet many bands who were popular in the 70's and 80's now have many young teens (even younger than Millennials) in their audience at concerts.

Iron Maiden is just one example - tons of people younger than 20 at their shows. Likely none of them have bought Final Frontier or AMOLAD (they likely streamed it for free), but are there buying tickets and supporting Maiden in concert.

Maiden are blessed to be in good health and able to (mostly) replicate the music on their albums on stage, with the added excitement of the live concert experience.

Not all musicians are blessed with good health and a powerful arena sound, which Iron Maiden possess.

 

I seem to remember artists getting a cut if their albums were on shelves in record stores - even if they didn't sell. This likely has been a hit to many non-arena, non-touring artists who would benefit from their CD's being at Tower, Sam Goody, or Wherehouse Music.

 

Put a freakin' shirt on. Disgusting.

 

I challenge the Di Meola haters to judge Prince under the same harsh light.

 

Posing shirtless is killing music!

 

I saw the interview and it took me a few seconds to figure out who he were. Someone needs to tell Al, Gene Simmons and others that old business model is dead, extinct and not returning anytime soon.

 

Dimeola has forgotten more about the business of music than all of us put together. He's got his reasons for saying what he did, regardless of shirtless cover photos.

 

I dunno - very soulful eyes. If it were a female subject would you find it less offensive?

 

There is a term that would fit the likes of DiMeola like a glove - useful idiot. Besides, don't the record companies take most of any profits made from the work of these "mid-level artists" in question?

 

"Al Di Meola, ladies & gentlemen!"- Frank Zappa.

 

key word being "most'. there was still enough left over for many non A-list musicians to live on.

 

He is 100% correct.

 

Technology has replaced millions of factory jobs with automation,
good middle class jobs have been vaporized, what were once living wages are gone.
It's reality. Adapt and move on.

 

Ick!

 

At the most, streaming could be "killing the music business" or the recording industry -- not the music

Music existed long before the music industry and will surely outlast it

 

Who cares what he thinks about streaming music, this is the Hoffman forums, how does he rank the Abbey Road tracks???

 

You can't stream full albums for free on music services, that is reserved for subscribers.

 

Sometime between now and 2112 music will be outlawed. Unless Rush was lying........