The Demise of the Middle Class Musician: A Look Back at the Changing Music Industry

📉The introduction of drum machines and technology like samplers reduced the need for session musicians, contributing to the decline of the middle class musician.

👨‍🎤Artists who didn't write their own songs, like Joe Cocker, missed out on performance royalties in the US, unlike in other countries.

💰Musicians in the 80s and 90s benefited from negotiating higher fees for records, receiving pension and healthcare benefits, and earning royalties from neighboring rights.

💿The shift from physical album sales to streaming services has significantly reduced musicians' profits, making it harder for them to maintain a middle-class income.

🎥Despite some residual income from film and television work, the film industry is also becoming more challenging for musicians due to budget constraints and the use of smaller ensembles.

How did drum machines and samplers contribute to the decline of the middle class musician?

—Drum machines and samplers replaced the need for live session musicians, leading to fewer opportunities and job security for session musicians. This, in turn, affected the ability of musicians to earn a middle-class income.

Why did artists like Joe Cocker miss out on performance royalties in the US?

—Performance royalties for artists were not paid in the US until more recently. However, artists who had songs played in other countries, such as France, could still receive performance royalties in those countries.

How did musicians benefit from negotiation and higher fees in the past?

—In the 80s and 90s, musicians were able to negotiate higher fees for session work, often including double, double-scale, and double session fees. Additionally, they received pension and healthcare benefits, as well as royalties from neighboring rights.

Why have musicians seen a decline in their income with the rise of streaming services?

—The shift from physical album sales to streaming services has significantly reduced the income generated for musicians. The royalties paid by streaming platforms are significantly lower, making it much harder for musicians to earn a middle-class income.

Is there still income for musicians in the film industry?

—While there is still some residual income for musicians in the film industry, the landscape is changing. Budget constraints and the use of smaller ensembles have impacted the number of opportunities and the overall income for musicians in the industry.

00:00Introduction

02:56Drum machines and technology reducing the need for session musicians

05:15Lack of performance royalties for artists in the US

07:42Benefits and royalties for musicians in the 80s and 90s

10:16Decline of musicians' income with the rise of streaming services

12:40Income for musicians in the film industry