Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson says U2’s deal with Apple has devalued music and made it harder for bands who still rely on record sales.
The group’s Songs Of Innocence was automatically downloaded free to over 500 million iTunes accounts last week, reputedly costing the technology giant $100m – but Nelson says it sends out the wrong message.
He tells Northwest Music Scene, “I think music has been devalued in the eyes of the consumer, to the point where a band like U2 decides to just give its music away and basically tell people their music isn’t worth anything. That’s a bummer because I know what it takes to write a meaningful record and get it into consumers’ hands. They’ve sent a message to everyone that music is free, and that’s disturbing. It’s easy to do that when you’re a multi-millionaire and money isn’t something you worry about. But, when you’re a working band and you count on every dollar, it’s disappointing to see someone do that.”
Meanwhile, the UK Entertainment Retailers Association has slammed the U2 giveaway, saying it’s as damaging as piracy and called the promotion a “failure” after fewer than 7000 CDs from the group’s back catalogue sold after the stunt.
ERA Chairman Paul Quirk said, “This promotion is a failure on so many levels. It devalues music, it alienates the majority of people who don’t use iTunes and it disappoints those who prefer to shop in stores. Giving away music is as damaging to the value of music as piracy and those who will suffer most are the artists of tomorrow. If one of the biggest rock bands in the world are prepared to give away their new album for free, how can we expect the public to spend £10 ($16.25 U.S. dollars) on an album by a newcomer?”
Last month, Buckcherry released their Fuck EP on August 19th.
additional source: classicrockmagazine
44 Responses
U2 as a band are so set financially, this is no big deal them. I believe that’s the only reason they did it and if they had not been in that position financially they would never had done it. Also, I’m sure they were compensated more than they let on. There’s an episode of South Park that along with being ridiculously stupid, which is what makes that show so great, it actually makes a very direct and relevant statement about Bono’s self righteous personality and that he is, basically, a piece of sh-t. If you’ve seen that episode, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’ll never download music and will always support the great metal and hard bands because it’s real music and has real fans. If pompous commercial sellout morons like U2 give all their music away for free from now on, I couldn’t care less. I wouldn’t take their music for free if they paid me to.
this hurts the bands we love on eddies trunk website? I mean, all due respect the bands that exist In the world of eddie trunk (mostly) are over 50 years old and have been making music for decades. Eddie has said his show is made up of more 70’s and 80’s artists then anyone else. These guys may not have the 100 millions that u2 have but they sure as hell have millions period. Iron maiden, rush, priest , Sabbath, ozzy, deep purple etc. We will not know if this really hurts anyone unless another huge artist follows up with the same thing. Otherwise it may just be a odd one off. Streaming music now is hurting everyone.
Matt, has Richman ever mentioned Mary J Blige’s version of Stairway to Heaven?
I’d happily take as little as $100,000 for Apple to give my album away free once I finish it. They can call me, I’m willing to make a deal!
Actually I don’t think U2 got $100 million. The deal “cost Apple” $100 million, but I think they had to give some to charity (one article I read said “tens of millions”), some of it was other operational costs, etc. I don’t doubt U2 got several million, but I don’t think they directly got $100 million. As one article I read said though, the album “went out to 7 percent of the Earth’s population in one fell swoop”. Another said that after the release, 26 other U2 albums (including compilations) moved up in sales charts. No matter how you slice it, U2 is making out big time on this deal.
The media trys to distort information to fits its agenda. Like just making stuff up thats not even close to being true. OH u2 hasnt had a hit in 20 years. Lol. Really? Cause if that were true then hows this even news in the first place that they are giving away a album. Check thier sales since 1991. They have had some hits.
Buckcherry is killing the music business just by being BuckCherry.