The business of music… or notes on Tom Petty

Tom Petty at the Vegoose Music Festival, 2006

When does an artist “sellout”?

Is it when they first play an arena, or when they try to re-create their last top single?

Did Dylan sellout when he plugged in, when he appeared in a Victoria’s Secret ad or when he released an album through Starbucks?

Does that fact that Cher actually stopped touring (she’s back out on tour, dang it Cher!) after her “farewell” concert make her less of a sellout than the Eagles with their multiple farewell attempts and exclusive deal with Walmart?

If Robert Johnson sold his soul for his guitar skills, are today’s musicians dealing with the devil or are they simply making good business decisions?

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