Hope I Can Play Before I Die

An article in the New York Times as the weekend analyzed the music tour industry and concluded it was at risk as it heavily relied on aging rockstars. 6 of the 10 of last year’s highest-grossing tours starred artists in their late 50’s or 60’s, including the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, the Eagles and Elton John. These six accounted for 30% of the total revenue from the year’s 50 biggest tours. NYT says:

“Eventually,” said Randy Phillips, chief executive of the concert promoter AEG Live, “we’re going to run out of headliners.” Accounting for the shallow talent pool, some industry executives cite the effects of MTV, which lets fans see performers without ever leaving their couch. Others blame a recording industry more focused on disposable hits than long-term career development, or a universe of digital singles that can keep fans from establishing deep connections with an artist over a long career. Whatever the case, John Scher, the New York music promoter and entrepreneur, says that unless the industry’s dynamics change, many of the nation’s big summer music venues “will be plowed over and be made into housing projects.”

Iron Man Slows, and So Does the Industry – New York Times