Aaron Grech December 8th, 2020 - 1:42 PM
Iconic performer David Crosby, who is a founding member of the influential Los Angeles rock band the Byrds and the country supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash, said he was forced to sell his catalog due to his inability to work. Crosby revealed this information on Twitter, where he was replying to a tweet regarding Bob Dylan’s recent sale of his catalog.
“I am selling mine also …I can’t work …and streaming stole my record money …I have a family and a mortgage and I have to take care of them so it’s my only option ..I’m sure the others feel the same,” the performer wrote.
I am selling mine also …I can’t work …and streaming stole my record money …I have a family and a mortgage and I have to take care of them so it’s my only option ..I’m sure the others feel the same https://t.co/EXWHR2v6iq
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) December 7, 2020
Back in 2018 Crosby criticized streaming platforms and posted some figures that allegedly make up how much he gets paid per each stream on different services. “They are selling MY music…making millions …and NOT PAYING ME ….” Crosby wrote at the time.
You don’t seem to get it
They are selling MY music…making millions …and NOT PAYING ME …. https://t.co/utYAx20Emp— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) August 2, 2018
Recent numbers (per stream):
Napster / (was Rhapsody) 0.019
Tidal 0.0125
Apple Music0.00735
Google Play Music0.00676
Deezer 0.0064
Spotify 0.00437
Amazon0.00402
Pandora Premium* 0.00133
Youtube 0.00069Get your song played a million times and get less than $5. Seems fair.
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) August 2, 2018
Crosby’s statement comes at a time when streaming platforms, most notably Spotify, have been drawing criticism due to their streaming royalty rates. Several prominent performers such as Neko Case, Fucked Up, Zola Jesus and Massive Attack lambasted Spotify CEO Daniel Ek after he stated that performer’s not getting paid enough for streams was a “narrative fallacy.”
These comments also held wider repercussions, as metal outfit SUMAC removed their album from the service in light of Ek’s response. The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers have also been vocal in their concerns about Spotify, and have made several demands for the platform to change its streaming and pay for play models.
