I used to think that, given enough goodwill, anybody would be able to 'get' any music, no matter how distant the culture from which it came. And then I heard Chinese opera.
Brian EnoRead
I'm really glad we came up when we did. When we got started, the record companies were concerned with building careers. They made sure you could put on a live show before you put a record out. And if your first album sold 100,000 to 200,000 copies, they were happy, because they figured you had your foot in the door on a way to a long career.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the importance of live performances and gradual career building in the music industry.
Philip Bailey expresses gratitude for the era in which he began his music career, highlighting how record companies then prioritized the development of artists' live performance skills and the potential for long-term success. He emphasizes that record labels were more patient and allowed artists to gradually build their careers rather than immediately expecting massive success, which created a more sustainable path for musicians.
Themes
MusicCareerLive PerformanceSuccessArtist Development
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech at a music industry conference to highlight the importance of nurturing talent.
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