What Now for the Music Biz?

The record industry needs to find something that will save it from itself. They need to find the solution to the problem now that the problem is global and has spiraled out of control. With the economy taking such an unprecedented pounding you wouldn't lay money on the music business bouncing back anytime soon. Mutiny, the mass exodus of bands wanting to find their own solutions to the problem will inspire little confidence in an industry where artists once looked to for their mentors.

Music industry people like Chris Blackwell, Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Alpert, Michael Lippman and Paul McGuinness still retain their industry crowns and their success is deserving. In their own domain they have successfully managed every part of the process and gained the respect of their artists but where do the others turn to for guidance? These people keep their own houses in order but where do they turn to for the support they once had? Labels believed in their artists and would do everything they could to support them both financially and creatively. They would inspire one another.

Where are the people who were once so enthusiastic about the music they couldn't wait to spread the word? They needed to make money but it was always the music that drove them primarily. When I first started in the music business in 1974 my immediate boss Ray Cooper was first and foremost a fan, it was why he wanted to work in the music business. And he's still a fan today. Back then we'd spend as much time discussing the music on other record labels as we did our own. It was just the same at Island later on, there didn't seem to be anyone there who wasn't there for the right reasons.

Once this was an industry abundant with adventurous, creative people. People with a passion and a love of music and intent on developing careers. Now it's an industry scared of risk, frightened by mistake and ridden with failure. They were convinced they could survive any threat the internet posed and while other industries learned to adapt they continued with an air of invincibility.

We can hope for change but it will take time. it will take a whole new business model and it will need people with vision. It's not about the lawyers and the accountants number crunching. It's about a need for creative people at labels understanding the artist and working to help them grow. It's about collaboration.

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