Can we make a living from prog?

For some reason Babe Ruth  were HUGE in Montréal when First Base came out. All my friend's big brother's had it. It's more of a hard rock album but a killer hard rock album that could make you forget about Led Zeppelin. The original lineup is still touring. Janita still can belt it out think she's 57 or 58. I always said she was Janis Joplin's evil twin. 

moshkito wrote: AtomicCrimsonRush wrote: Space Ritual the ex members of Hawkwind would probably fill a stadium but it is not Hawkwind.   It's not quite cheating ... it's Nik Turner as far as I know.   Curved Air played the 100 Club in London but no new albums on the way...   Anyone got an apartment in London and a job, so I can move? I might see a few more of the goodies that we can't get in Portland, Or ... this area is the absolute stink'o for music!   ... Gong are still going and proved it with a new album too as we know, but are they playing their Flying Teapot trilogy? I would bet they are.   I would prefer that they also played other material. Somehow, some of the old material just doesn't sound good without Pierre, Stiv, Bloomdido, Gilly, Mike ...   And someone mentioned Babe Ruth? Is Janita still with them?   Saw them at the Whiskey a Go Go opening for Iggy and the Stooges ... and she made Iggy look  stupid and like a kid throwing himself around to get attention! They were so over blown that one third of the way into the show all 4 of us walked out ... after Babe Ruth we didn't need crap! We went down the street to see 2001 at the Cinerama Dome stoned immaculate, of course!

Nik Turner's Space Ritual cannot fill a stadium - I've seen them, 500-1000 people at most. Neither can Dave Brock's Hawkwind.

Edited by Dean - February 18 2011 at 13:30

AllP0werToSlaves wrote: It's really tricky trying to make money from the actual MUSIC beyond live shows and selling merch, but if you play out a lot and have a decent sized following, you can make quite a bit (if no one is taking a cut, that is!).

...but can you live off those earnings without supplementing it with secondary income (a full-time/part-time non music job)?

I can hear a lot of Saga influence in Beiber's music. He is very Saga-like.

Ohhhh!! Justin Bieber don't insult our national hero. Just kidding . What a git is right. sh*t like that really undermines art.

 Liked Saga' s early material but they were sort of overshadowed by Rush with albums like Moving Pictures and Farewell To Kings here. They made a name for themselves in Europe though. I think Tthey then based themselves in California. Will have to check it out. Got to check out Fragile. I like these bands who keep the fire of the past alive but there's nothing worse than a crappy cover version. Should check out Parrallells Yes cover band do Perpetual Change with a chick vocalist complete with drum solo.I think she has since left the band but these guys actually blow Yes away. Seriously. I think the drummer is even better than Alan White. seriously.


Edited by Vibrationbaby - February 18 2011 at 10:09

Funny CSTAK3 mentions The Musical Box from my hometown, Montréal. I've seen them twice and concur that I would rather see these guys rather than the real Genesis. I saw them do Foxtrot & Trick Of The Tail and the guy who did Philly was very convincing. Philly even sat in with them once and said afterwards that they played the material better than Genesis were playing it. I think hackett also played Firth Of Fifth with them at The Royal Albert Hall once. What's so great about these re-enactments is that they often play at venues that are more intimate. Genesis' early shows were presented in small theatres so this is something you won't see the real Genesis do ever again. I sawthem at the big O in front of 60,000 people and the whole thing was a monumental catastrophe. Atrocious.

AtomicCrimsonRush wrote: Theres no money in it so you cant make a living unless you are super popular like Rush. All the reunion bands are making money off their old material - I speak of those who were once popular and have rejoined the circuit to tour their old albums and songs. They are living off the success of the past glories. I have no problem with that. But many are doing it now like some kind of bandwagon. They are filling stadiums but not needing to produce new albums or promote heavily.

But Rush have been putting out material. I don't know if they have plans for a new album and/or when it's due but Snakes and Arrows is not so long ago when you consider how long, say, Symphony X go between releases.  Magma too and I don't think they fill stadiums anyway.  Hackett has been prolific. Renaissance are planning a new album.  It's mainly Yes and Genesis who cash in on their legacy.  And given how big the LZ reunion was, I have no objection to that, especially considering even the big prog rock bands don't have a whole slew of critics and magazines to feed their name down your throat until you take cognizance of their music.  And with some exceptions, prog musicians generally remain sharp and in touch with their craft so it's good we have a choice not to suffer aging 'rockstars' playing rock and roll.  


Edited by rogerthat - February 16 2011 at 10:42

Before I go on with some points related to this discussion I have top say this :

That little Bieber freak makes me sick to my stomach. What kind of upbringing did he have? I can't believe he comes from Stratford, Ontario.My father taught us to read and appreciate books. He taught us to do math, encouraged us to play sports. He taught me how to play chess. Took me fishing. All the normal things. I just want ask one question. Who the f**k pays for this trash? I guess the same people who support Coyote face Céline Dion.

OK count to ten Ian. Deep breaths. Pastel colours. Pastoral scenes. Valium 10.

I have no problem with these old bands playing the old material because first off bands like Curved Air, Renaissance, The Strawbs, Babe Ruth, Amon Dul II etc. who are still touring have all paid their dues. And isn't that what the fans want to hear? Even more successful bands like Rush, Hawkwind  & Uriah Heep play the oldies. That Canadian guy who sings with Heep  is just as good or even better than David Byron or John Lawton ( who is still touring as well ). Symphony orchestras and classical ensembles play music that is centuries old so why not prog bands?
All the more power to them. They're not going to be around forever.




Edited by Vibrationbaby - February 16 2011 at 09:59

Unless you're a big name, you generally have to supplement your income with a job or career... That doesn't just apply to prog, that applies to music in general.

SongJohn wrote: Interesting discussion....Can we make a living from prog? Well, not all prog is the same right?  What if Yes was a new group...and CTTE was just released 4 months ago? I'd definitely jump on it!

Good point.... Yes, I would buy the Cd too.