When the Party is Over

[Canard]

Musicians and Singers reflect on the evaporation of popularity and associated fortune.

‘That’s it? It’s over? I was 30. What a brutal business’: pop stars on life after the spotlight moves on

Musicians from Bob Geldof to Robbie Williams and Lisa Maffia reveal what they did – and how they felt – after the hits dried up and the crowds vanished

www.theguardian.com

Don’t give up your day-job skills. Have a plan B. Don’t give up your music.

In the distant past I spent a pleasant evening drinking with Lester Bowie, Don Moye, and Joseph Jarman of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. One of the topics of conversation was that there had been musicians in their families for generations but that they were first in their families to be professional musicians. Cannonball Adderley and his brother Nat were discussed; both apparently had been school teachers until there was a scene that would support them as musicians. Many musicians are musicians because they can’t help it. It is what they are. It doesn’t mean that it is all they are capable of. It doesn’t mean that music will always support them. Audiences and fashion are fickle.

 

[Teleguy61]

Saw AEC in the late 70s, small venue, and they were wonderful. Super talents.
Until Miles, big money was not an expectation for jazz musicians. Most steady income came from nightclub work.
Miles, and Brubeck opening the college tours, was the breakthrough.
For pop musicians, being unaware that fame is transitory is just self-delusion.

 

[dreadnut]

Now there's something I will never have to worry about.

 

[Opsimath]

Now there's something I will never have to worry about.

Same here.

 

[PreacherBob]

Yep there was a time when I was under the big lights, fans were singing along, I was hitting every chord just right, my vocals were spot on, and then….abruptly my wife elbows me and says “Will you please stop talking in your sleep! I’ve gotta work in the morning!“ Dream over

 

[dreadnut]

Still on my trek to international Rock stardom...

 

[PreacherBob]

Still on my trek to Rock stardom...

Dreadnut Ive found that ZZZQUIL works Great. A few ounces before you got to bed, and you’re on your way to stardom

 

[jp]

I've seen Art Ensemble a few times, and each time was amazing. Love those guys!

 

[Bernie]

I've read a few lines or that Guardian's article ; felt strange to see Suzanne Vega there. I thought she was the kind of person who'd be above it...That some pop singers who had no great artistic value, aside of being able to have some occasional hits here and there, could be faced with this kind of issue doesn't surprise me that much, but I wouldn't expect her to have to cancel a tour right in the middle...I see the industry as being pitiful in such circumstances...Seems to me that on the distance such artistes will keep selling EPs and have some faithful fans to rely on...Music business should know... We had our best singer in France dropped out by his record company because he wasn't selling enough CDs anymore they said, and no-one among the new board of executives would want to care for him...Had to sell his house in Paris and fly to the U.S. where he recorded a new CD with some American musicians, under the direction of an established French keyboard player/producer (but they were good and lucky enough to get their first major hit ever then - on a different record company though -)... Some happy endings at times ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1-t9apAm4E

 

[Guildedagain]

Millions with talent not getting anywhere. It 's a reality check, isn't it?

 

[walrus]

That's a great article, thanks!

walrus

 

[Bernie]

For some strange reason the link I gave il my previous message doesn't seam to work, sorry. However if you change the final 'e' at the end of the address by an 'E' (in capital letters) it seems to work then... But what follows is better and more like why we liked this guy, who did a lot for jazz singing in our country... www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8tmbKksCI4 (shame you won't be able to understand the lyrics, and how well they fit to the music of Dave Brubeck - seems like they have almost been written for each others -, but maybe it will work for you too and you can enjoy it - the story of a guy wounded after he robbed a bank/ and got a shelter at his girl's friend flat/ where she rings him out to tell the cops are down the stairs/ and that he has to run away again/ escapes using a stair up to the roofs/ then down from an other building/ into a jazz-club where she comes to meet him/ before they get out, only to find him facing a policeman )... only a dream there too...

 

[dreadnut]

Don't have to worry about that, I never have cared.

 

[LeFinPepere]

I've read a few lines or that Guardian's article ; felt strange to see Suzanne Vega there. I thought she was the kind of person who'd be above it...That some pop singers who had no great artistic value, aside of being able to have some occasional hits here and there, could be faced with this kind of issue doesn't surprise me that much, but I wouldn't expect her to have to cancel a tour right in the middle...I see the industry as being pitiful in such circumstances...Seems to me that on the distance such artistes will keep selling EPs and have some faithful fans to rely on...Music business should know... We had our best singer in France dropped out by his record company because he wasn't selling enough CDs anymore they said, and no-one among the new board of executives would want to care for him...Had to sell his house in Paris and fly to the U.S. where he recorded a new CD with some American musicians, under the direction of an established French keyboard player/producer (but they were good and lucky enough to get their first major hit ever then - on a different record company though -)... Some happy endings at times ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1-t9apAm4E

Talking about the great Claude Nougaro!Salut,Bernie! Music industry is....an industry,it's all about benefits.Bach or Mozart depended on some prince's or archbishop's will, Wes Montgomery had to work in factories to feed his kids, Hendrix's earnings went God knows where,exemples abound. People don't really give a s*** about musicians,(unless they're dead!) they think they are reckless and lazy.(They are happy playing music, so why should they get paid, or eat?) It's getting worse now, because music is everywhere for free, like air and dog poop.Who cares?
Quote: :Before we went on, I saw Duke Ellington begging - pleading - for a ten-dollar advance. It was really depressing. After that show, I told the guys: 'That's it - we're breaking the band up.' We'd been together in one configuration or another for about five years at that point, and suddenly EVERYTHING looked utterly hopeless to me. If Duke Ellington had to beg some George Wein assistant backstage for ten bucks, what the [••••] was I doing with a ten-piece band, trying to play rock and roll - or something that was almost rock and roll?". - Frank Zappa in The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989)).
I know 3 good jazz musicians, they all teach their instrument to make a living. I have been friends with a once-famous classical guitar player ,who later became a superb guitar (and harpsichord) luthier. He told me he had had to build furniture and coffins to eat.
Oooh, I'm veering from the subject here....Sorry! Now, if someone has been a "famous" musician, he'll still remain a musician when fame is gone; What will happen to those people who are simply "famous" nowadays?

 

[5thumbs]

Bob Gibson summed it up HERE. (Song written by Shel Silverstein).

 

[Bernie]

Audiences and fashion are fickle.

Right, but great guitars will last (that's how we are here, isn't it ?). So does great music I believe...