This is from a 2013 interview with Prince's first serious sweetheart, Sussanah Melvoin.

http://beautifulnightschi...-with.html

Sigh.

...

music business was always a bad deal for artists.

PeteSilas said:

She probably has a point about not being able to make money selling the music, but what music does Susannah have anyway? Or does anyone care about it? I just know her from doing background vocals with Prince about 20 years ago.

.

If she can't pay her mortgage, then sadly, she should have perhaps chosen a more lucrative career. Or just known that the music business is high risk and most people don't make a living at it..probalby like 95% of musicians. And the ones that do play live all the time and support themselves doing that.

.

But yes of course the music business is about youth and the very few "artists" who are making millions at it are selling a brand more than any music. Most all the pop stars don't write their songs and can't sing well or play any instruments. They are manufactured products, not truly artists.

.

Oh well, I like her from her association with Prince and only wish her the best and hopefully she will make some money if the Revolution tours and she is a part of it, etc.

pyramidseye said:

This is from a 2013 interview with Prince's first serious sweetheart, Sussanah Melvoin.

http://beautifulnightschi...-with.html

Sigh.

...

Prince was not very nice. He rote cheques for strangers but did not hep his friends or former artists.

FunkiestOne said:

She probably has a point about not being able to make money selling the music, but what music does Susannah have anyway? Or does anyone care about it? I just know her from doing background vocals with Prince about 20 years ago.

.

If she can't pay her mortgage, then sadly, she should have perhaps chosen a more lucrative career. Or just known that the music business is high risk and most people don't make a living at it..probalby like 95% of musicians. And the ones that do play live all the time and support themselves doing that.

.

But yes of course the music business is about youth and the very few "artists" who are making millions at it are selling a brand more than any music. Most all the pop stars don't write their songs and can't sing well or play any instruments. They are manufactured products, not truly artists.

.

Oh well, I like her from her association with Prince and only wish her the best and hopefully she will make some money if the Revolution tours and she is a part of it, etc.

Does she have to have her own music to say that? We say the same thing here all the time and most of us are not musicians right?
And yes by 2013 Susannah Melvoin Paul Peterson Jellybean Johnson & Eric Leeds were making music ie FDeluxe(the Family)

The music business is that, a business. And that means everyone wants to get as much money as they can. In the proces, a lot of people that forget the business side of things get the short end of the stick. If you don't market your art, you're going to be broke.

Case in point, some of my other heroes, Fishbone. Incredibly influential, incredibly talented, but not good at the business side of things or in marketing their art, as it was a true democracy and they couldn't agree on a unified way to go... They went from being "the next big thing" to being almost forgotten. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who came from the same background, did things differently and managed to make bank....

FunkiestOne said:

She probably has a point about not being able to make money selling the music, but what music does Susannah have anyway? Or does anyone care about it? I just know her from doing background vocals with Prince about 20 years ago.

.

If she can't pay her mortgage, then sadly, she should have perhaps chosen a more lucrative career. Or just known that the music business is high risk and most people don't make a living at it..probalby like 95% of musicians. And the ones that do play live all the time and support themselves doing that.

.

But yes of course the music business is about youth and the very few "artists" who are making millions at it are selling a brand more than any music. Most all the pop stars don't write their songs and can't sing well or play any instruments. They are manufactured products, not truly artists.

.

Oh well, I like her from her association with Prince and only wish her the best and hopefully she will make some money if the Revolution tours and she is a part of it, etc.

This.


I understand her point about the music business but it's also true for writers, actors, dancers, painters, etc. The reality is that the vast majority of people in any artistic endeavor have an uphill battle and the competition is stiff. The artists that I know who are able to sustain a living from their work all have some patron or other who supports them as they establish themselves and build a following, whether it's a spouse, family member, a grant or what have you. People who get that lucky break are few and far between....always have been.

I feel for her because if she was under the impression that a large enough fanbase existed that she could earn a living from a music career, then I believe she was mistaken. I agree that she probably should have pursued another career, especially in light of the fact that she has children. When you have kids, your wants have to go on the back burner until you have provided a stable environment for them such as a roof over their heads, health insurance, etc.

It was time for her to turn the page a long time ago.

Melvoin has subsequently worked as a background vocalist for such artists as Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield among others and has performed vocals on Wendy & Lisa's albums.

As a songwriter, she has co-written songs performed by Madonna (Melvoin co-wrote "Ray of Light's" fourth track "Candy Perfume Girl"), Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II of Arc Angels.

keenly said:

pyramidseye said:

This is from a 2013 interview with Prince's first serious sweetheart, Sussanah Melvoin.

http://beautifulnightschi...-with.html

Sigh.

...

Prince was not very nice. He rote cheques for strangers but did not hep his friends or former artists.

1. We don't know what he did or didn't do for people because he kept it quiet.

2. Sorry, but if you were a Prince associate back in the 80's and he gave you a #1 single and video but you couldn't make a living in music once you left his camp, then that is on you, not him. He can't be expect to support everyone he worked with for the rest of their lives just because they can't manage on their own.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Melvoin has subsequently worked as a background vocalist for such artists as Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield among others and has performed vocals on Wendy & Lisa's albums.

As a songwriter, she has co-written songs performed by Madonna (Melvoin co-wrote "Ray of Light's" fourth track "Candy Perfume Girl"), Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II of Arc Angels.

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

babynoz said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Melvoin has subsequently worked as a background vocalist for such artists as Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield among others and has performed vocals on Wendy & Lisa's albums.

As a songwriter, she has co-written songs performed by Madonna (Melvoin co-wrote "Ray of Light's" fourth track "Candy Perfume Girl"), Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II of Arc Angels.

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

Agree. Even Paul Peterson has a straight job (teaching audio recording). Most muscians I know have a "day job" and do music on the side. Singers especially are going to have a hard time making a living by doing background vocals alone.

simm0061 said:

babynoz said:

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

Agree. Even Paul Peterson has a straight job (teaching audio recording). Most muscians I know have a "day job" and do music on the side. Singers especially are going to have a hard time making a living by doing background vocals alone.

Exactly. At some point one has to be realistic in order to pay the bills.

I agree with a lot of things said here. it's also worth mentioning that she was newly divorced when she did that inteview and Doyle Bramhall has refused to pay support. there was a report,including divorce documents, on radar online around the same time she did this interview. these things have factored into her financial situation,no?

wavesofbliss said:

I agree with a lot of things said here. it's also worth mentioning that she was newly divorced when she did that inteview and Doyle Bramhall has refused to pay support. there was a report,including divorce documents, on radar online around the same time she did this interview. these things have factored into her financial situation,no?

For sure. It was the divorce situation that turned things upside down. (I did read that he is paying support now. But I'm guessing during proceedings payments stopped til an agreement was met.) Her ex made a good living from music, so there is a bit of irony in her comments, despite what ever truth they hold.

I'm certainly not trying to pick on her. I feel for her; it is tough out there. I'm just pointing out that it is silly for fans to blame Prince for any of his associates' troubles. I certainly can't blame the boss I had at 19 for any hardships I face now.

People don't buy music anymore - why would you when it's basically free? Music used to be probably the leading escapist leisure pursuit. Now it's the internet.

Prince is not responsible for this culture shift, so quite how he owes former associates is beyond me.

jjam said:

People don't buy music anymore - why would you when it's basically free? Music used to be probably the leading escapist leisure pursuit. Now it's the internet.

Prince is not responsible for this culture shift, so quite how he owes former associates is beyond me.

Pay to play=paying PRINCE for the right to use the music.

It is not about owing, it is about common decency.

If I were in that position it would have been MY pleasure to help others. Prince did not see it that way.

[Edited 5/30/16 10:16am]

babynoz said:

keenly said:

jjam said:

People don't buy music anymore - why would you when it's basically free? Music used to be probably the leading escapist leisure pursuit. Now it's the internet.

Prince is not responsible for this culture shift, so quite how he owes former associates is beyond me.

Pay to play=paying PRINCE for the right to use the music.

It is not about owing, it is about common decency.

If I were in that position it would have been MY pleasure to help others. Prince did not see it that way.

[Edited 5/30/16 10:16am]

She was referring to venues charging acts to play in their establishment. House of Blues in LA charges something like $10k per night. However, I don't know any bars that do that, at least not in MPLS. Here bands keep the cover charge and the house keeps bar sales - win/win.

He let them play the songs, just not under the branding that he owns the rights to. For all intents and purposes, The Family = Prince (even Wendy referred to them as his "shadow band"). If the musicians he hired to be in the band want to reunite 30 years later and make a new album and tour so be it, but they have to do so under a new name. Plus, if they were labled "The Family" then I think Prince would be entitled to a % of whatever royalties they made from their new album. It was probably in their best interest to drop the name.

DMarieP said:

babynoz said:

This.


I understand her point about the music business but it's also true for writers, actors, dancers, painters, etc. The reality is that the vast majority of people in any artistic endeavor have an uphill battle and the competition is stiff. The artists that I know who are able to sustain a living from their work all have some patron or other who supports them as they establish themselves and build a following, whether it's a spouse, family member, a grant or what have you. People who get that lucky break are few and far between....always have been.

I feel for her because if she was under the impression that a large enough fanbase existed that she could earn a living from a music career, then I believe she was mistaken. I agree that she probably should have pursued another career, especially in light of the fact that she has children. When you have kids, your wants have to go on the back burner until you have provided a stable environment for them such as a roof over their heads, health insurance, etc.

It was time for her to turn the page a long time ago.

Her father was in the music industry. She grew up in the industry. She had access to enough music industry resources that she should have been able to make it work - in some sort of way. "This is a bi-ness"

I've never seen her play an instrument and honestly, anyone who prince gave a break to lucked out. I know he was hard on most of them but they got their break and they squandered it, or they just didn't know how to do anything on their own. What does susannah even do? does she write, does she produce? does she even sing that well? I'm a musician and I get tired of this entitled shit from other musicians, no one promised you anything when you decided to be in this business. I have to do all kinds of unnconnected, unglamorous, hard, grueling, dirty work because I chose this and I don't do a lot of whining about it. I love music and it doesn't matter.

I dunno. She spent her four years with Prince, who passed away as a multimillionaire. Of course she is not entitled to anything and Prince did not owe her anything, but still this is heart-breaking.

~

She also dated John Cusack for a long time, who also happens to be a multimillionaire. What's certain is that she was not a golddigger. She was too naive to set some money/property aside when she was in her prime. Now it's too late. That dumbass crack-addict guitarist Doyle Bramhall II as husband was a very poor choice, too. Such a pity, really.

~

I felt the same way when I heard that Vanity was desperate for 50 grand to undergo a kidney transplant.

kapo74 said:

PeteSilas said:

music business was always a bad deal for artists.

No offence, but most of them were/are millionairs or at least above average rich.

No.

mediumdry said:

The music business is that, a business. And that means everyone wants to get as much money as they can. In the proces, a lot of people that forget the business side of things get the short end of the stick. If you don't market your art, you're going to be broke.

Case in point, some of my other heroes, Fishbone. Incredibly influential, incredibly talented, but not good at the business side of things or in marketing their art, as it was a true democracy and they couldn't agree on a unified way to go... They went from being "the next big thing" to being almost forgotten. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, who came from the same background, did things differently and managed to make bank....

Very good point.It's not enough to be a great musician.You also have to master the business side of being an artist.Also,nobody can rely on record sales anymore.You gotta find other ways to profit in the music industry.

DMarieP said:

babynoz said:

This.


I understand her point about the music business but it's also true for writers, actors, dancers, painters, etc. The reality is that the vast majority of people in any artistic endeavor have an uphill battle and the competition is stiff. The artists that I know who are able to sustain a living from their work all have some patron or other who supports them as they establish themselves and build a following, whether it's a spouse, family member, a grant or what have you. People who get that lucky break are few and far between....always have been.

I feel for her because if she was under the impression that a large enough fanbase existed that she could earn a living from a music career, then I believe she was mistaken. I agree that she probably should have pursued another career, especially in light of the fact that she has children. When you have kids, your wants have to go on the back burner until you have provided a stable environment for them such as a roof over their heads, health insurance, etc.

It was time for her to turn the page a long time ago.

Her father was in the music industry. She grew up in the industry. She had access to enough music industry resources that she should have been able to make it work - in some sort of way. "This is a bi-ness"

You would think so but there comes a time when an honest assessment has to be made and people need to act accordingly.

simm0061 said:

babynoz said:

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

Agree. Even Paul Peterson has a straight job (teaching audio recording). Most muscians I know have a "day job" and do music on the side. Singers especially are going to have a hard time making a living by doing background vocals alone.

AND I just read somewhere that Paul Peterson JUST joined Peter Frampton's Band.

PeteSilas said:

DMarieP said:

babynoz said: Her father was in the music industry. She grew up in the industry. She had access to enough music industry resources that she should have been able to make it work - in some sort of way. "This is a bi-ness"

I've never seen her play an instrument and honestly, anyone who prince gave a break to lucked out. I know he was hard on most of them but they got their break and they squandered it, or they just didn't know how to do anything on their own. What does susannah even do? does she write, does she produce? does she even sing that well? I'm a musician and I get tired of this entitled shit from other musicians, no one promised you anything when you decided to be in this business. I have to do all kinds of unnconnected, unglamorous, hard, grueling, dirty work because I chose this and I don't do a lot of whining about it. I love music and it doesn't matter.

I posted some of her post Prince career above

When Prince approached her to work with him, Quincy Jones was already trying to get her to join his team. As much as I love her time with Prince, going the Jones route might have been more lucractive in the long run.

She's sung with Seal a few other artist, written for Madonna & Eric Clapton and songs she has written were great quality. Song writers make good money, she probably should have focused on that. Kandi Burruss(ex Excape member) made a good living off of writing songs people.

I suspect not getting child suport from her ex husband doesn't help.

[Edited 5/30/16 20:45pm]

babynoz said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Melvoin has subsequently worked as a background vocalist for such artists as Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Mike Oldfield among others and has performed vocals on Wendy & Lisa's albums.

As a songwriter, she has co-written songs performed by Madonna (Melvoin co-wrote "Ray of Light's" fourth track "Candy Perfume Girl"), Eric Clapton, and Doyle Bramhall II of Arc Angels.

This is where stanning goes wrong because it renders one unable to be objective and realistic.

Didn't she say she couldn't pay her mortgate? Nobody made that up, right?

Therefore despite having worked sporadically within the industry she is clearly stating that the has been unable to earn a sufficient amount to sustain an adequate living. Her words, not ours.

Therefore it's quite reasonable to suggest that perhaps another career path might have been a better choice under the circumstances. She probably could have continued doing music on some level as well.

what does 'stanning' mean.

What I posted was a cut in past from WIKI, because someone asked about what are some of the things she's done post Prince

So I don't understand the post in connection to what I cut n pasted. It was just some info

I have a feeling that alot of Prince proteges etc will be able to make a living because of the renewed interest in them since Prince's passing. IMO Susannah is very talented and I hope The Family will be able to one day use that name, record and tour again I loved their debut album and I prefer their version of Nothing Compares to U to Sinead's. Just saying

[Edited 5/30/16 22:48pm]

OldFriends4Sale said:

When Prince approached her to work with him, Quincy Jones was already trying to get her to join his team. As much as I love her time with Prince, going the Jones route might have been more lucractive in the long run.

I agree.Just look at Rod Temperton.He was a member of the funk/disco band Heatwave,but when he joined Quincy's team,his songs began appearing on hit albums by Michael Jackson,George Benson and others.He made a fortune.