Prog royalties - think they got rich?

I think a lot of them are probably doing well now (at least the big name ones like Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, etc.), regardless of how poorly the music business treated them in the 70's.  Rush, especially, seems to be rolling in cash at the moment.  As you said Ian Anderson has, they sure have earned it, though.

 

I don't thankfully. I do, however, partake in music as a hobby.

"I’ve loved cats since I was a small boy (in Scotland), and since being married (for 29 years) to Shona and living in the country we’ve raised many litters of abandoned feral kittens. We’ve managed to hand tame them, and get them good homes. The extension to wild cats was an easy one. Besides, so many are out there doing ‘the human thing.’ Elton (John) gives huge amounts to AIDS, and Bob Geldoff and Bono are concerned about Africa and Third World debt. I don’t know anyone else in my profession helping small wild cats. When it comes to the little guys, if I don’t, who will?"

(http://bigcatrescue.org/2011/jethro-tull)

 

As it has been said, I believe that the ones who have made good profits made them mostly during their careers after the 70's after having learnt the lesson and probably investing wisely rather than from their record sales.

 

Of course some bands like Pink Floyd or Queen have genuinely made fortunes from their music.

 

At any rate the abuse by the record companies towards the musicians is something which has backfired to them. Nowadays most musicians who want to be real musicians try to produce themselves or rely as less as possible on the record companies management. Record companies are still busy exploiting one-hit-bands and singers but they know that most Prog musicians are harder to cheat.

 

All paid for by the label and mgt company etc. also you neednt worry and bother as much with all those horrible logistics and day 2 day running issues........... Prob is, once the records started to sell you also dont see much money coming yr way 'cause they're taking back what they gave you upfront hahaha

 

 

Thank you for this!  Bob's been railing about these matters (royalties, intellectual property infringement/theft etc.) for decades!!  

I believe this was a major impetus for his formation of DGM.  

For those who missed it, Bob's recent interview with the Financial Times is a fascinating insight into the man's mind and a window into the music business: