The Long Tail = Crusty Fossil Music?

The Long Tail: Give away the music and sell the show

This article I found over at The Rambler talks about how these days bands make an astounding percentage of their yearly income from touring (92% for the Rolling Stones), and that live shows are in fact the only growth part of the music industry.

Something that caught my eye:

Here, from Wired's music blog, is a list of the top grossing touring bands of 2006.

1. Rolling Stones $150.6m
2. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill $132m
3. Rascal Flatts $110.5m
4. Madonna $96.8m
5. Barbara Streisand $95.8m
6. Kenny Chesney $90.1m
7. Celine Dion $85.2m
8. Bon Jovi $77.5m
9. Nickelback $74.1m
10. Dave Matthews Band $60.4m

Apparently being a crusty fossil from a bygone era is the key to big money in the music biz... I have got to get to work on that.

(I thought I heard a rumor that Celine Dion retired?!? Damn, maybe I dreamed that...)