| strandinthewind |
06-18-2003 08:20 AM |
Although I am very grateful for this revealing documentary (kudos to whomever thought of this), I just think it is horrible that all we get is that one line (thanks alot Vh-1 :mad: :laugh: ). I mean La Nicks could be talking about anything, even something unrelated to the music. She could even be jokingly and sarcastically mimicing something someone else, say . . . a record exec., said for all we know. It certainly is plausible given the quiet and somewhat strange tone of her voice when she says this line.
In any event, I think she is correct if you look at it from the point of view that "they" want to in the end make millions of dollars each and still be able to rent a huge house Bel Air (one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the world), travel on a private 727 (which cost at least $20,000 or more per round trip just to run it much less rent and staff it), charge probably at least $100,000 each per show against the gross (at least LB and SN certainly make this in the end), have a "second band" of highly qualified and presumably expensive players go on tour with them, personal chefs, masseurs, limos, luxury suites that cost at least $2,000 per night, the best musical equipment, a gold plated drum kit ( :rolleyes: ), etc. They want all of this and they want someone else (e.g. their label and/or concert promoter) initially to pay for it. Noone in their right mind is going to put that much $$$ into something and expect to have no control over it and also not expect a big financial return in the end. I wouldn't; would you? Thus, the state of the music industry, and pretty much all business, since the dawn of time and especially now.
So, if they want all of this, which they clearly do, who wouldn't, they better put out a record that sells even if it means sacrificing all of their art (e.g. remember what one of the producers said in his interview here about Stevie being okay in the end with butchering the original 15 minute version of Sara so it would sell) and/or be able to sell themselves on tour. Otherwise, they will not be able to make their art in such luxurious surroundings next time if at all. So far, although the record in no way has reached any expectations that may have been set when their past sales levels are considered, the record has done somewhat okay and they clearly have sold themselves on tour and in huge venues I might add.
So, despite any romantic notions I may have about an artist being able to express themselves without limit and say the hell with how much money it costs, etc., I am very aware that these same artists have made the abovementioned choices that perhaps cause them to have to constrict their art for the sake of money. Thus, I do not think Stevie was being a "bad person/artist" for making this satement, if that is what she meant when she made it.
Note: I cast no dispersions on them for having this mind set. I think I am pretty sure I would have it as well at their age and status. :cool:
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