Great article, again. As I thought about this...as a 50-something music fan who works with people of all ages, I am aligned with the opinion that people are too invested in artists now rather than 'the music' or 'the song'. I'm not saying that established artists aren't delivering quality music but I would say that their fan-base will support their favorite artists now more than ever...no matter what. It's been twenty years (or close) for artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift. It's been closer to 10 years for artists like Drake and Ariana Grande. All still debut number one. I think about my personal favorites...that I'll still buy their albums/reissues. Olivia Newton John (Top 10's 1974-1984), Janet Jackson (1986-2001), Hall&Oates (1976-1988), ABBA (1974-1981), Celine Dion (1991-1999). Most of these artists released terrific new music/duets in the past 5 years but didn't come close to the Top 10. Past successful artists seemed to have their Top 40 Hot 100 success 5, 10, 15 years...and then move on to the A/C charts. Now, people want to grow old and stay close to their favorites. If this was the case for me...my teenage favorites would still be competing for number 1: Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins, and Heart.
Great article, again. As I thought about this...as a 50-something music fan who works with people of all ages, I am aligned with the opinion that people are too invested in artists now rather than 'the music' or 'the song'. I'm not saying that established artists aren't delivering quality music but I would say that their fan-base will support their favorite artists now more than ever...no matter what. It's been twenty years (or close) for artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift. It's been closer to 10 years for artists like Drake and Ariana Grande. All still debut number one. I think about my personal favorites...that I'll still buy their albums/reissues. Olivia Newton John (Top 10's 1974-1984), Janet Jackson (1986-2001), Hall&Oates (1976-1988), ABBA (1974-1981), Celine Dion (1991-1999). Most of these artists released terrific new music/duets in the past 5 years but didn't come close to the Top 10. Past successful artists seemed to have their Top 40 Hot 100 success 5, 10, 15 years...and then move on to the A/C charts. Now, people want to grow old and stay close to their favorites. If this was the case for me...my teenage favorites would still be competing for number 1: Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins, and Heart.