Did you know: Some 25 years ago Madonna told to Interview Magazine that Barbra Streisand, then younger than Madonna is now, needed to give up pop music because she was too old.

Madonna now accuses everyone and everything of "ageism".

However, Cher and Tina Turner had their biggest success in their 50s and 60s. Barbra is in her 70s and still selling millions of albums, Celine Dion in her 40s and each of her last two albums sold around 1.5 million globally. Is there such thing as "ageism" or it's their age to be blamed for bad music, or not necessary BAD, but not appealing enough.

the bottom line: Radio only plays songs by 'young' artists.Yes,Cher had her biggest hit ("Believe") at age 54,but that rarely happens and probably won't ever happen again.When you become a veteran artist,you should mainly focus on touring,which Madonna does.

SoulAlive said:

the bottom line: Radio only plays songs by 'young' artists.Yes,Cher had her biggest hit ("Believe") at age 54,but that rarely happens and probably won't ever happen again.When you become a veteran artist,you should mainly focus on touring,which Madonna does.

I see. That's shame, but, is radio really still important? In the age of internet, Spotify...

JanetSerbia said:

SoulAlive said:

the bottom line: Radio only plays songs by 'young' artists.Yes,Cher had her biggest hit ("Believe") at age 54,but that rarely happens and probably won't ever happen again.When you become a veteran artist,you should mainly focus on touring,which Madonna does.

I see. That's shame, but, is radio really still important? In the age of internet, Spotify...

A song doesn't become a hit without alot of radio airplay,so yeah,it's still important

JanetSerbia said:

I see. That's shame, but, is radio really still important? In the age of internet, Spotify...

Not everyone has internet or a computer or a credit card. How does that help people who deal in cash only or people who don't want to download, but want to buy an album. With a lot of older acts, the general public might not even be aware that a particular act is still recording and releasing CDs as they are generally not advertised much. You are not likely to see their album in a Wal-Mart, which mainly carry whatever is in the top 10 and the edited versions at that. Many also might not be interested in their new music and only care about the oldies. When you go to a Rolling Stones show how many songs from later albums do they perform? But Satisfaction & Jumpin' Jack Flash is likely to be there.

Yes, there is such a thing as ageism and it isn't exclusive to the music business...

purplethunder3121 said:

Yes, there is such a thing as ageism and it isn't exclusive to the music business...

Yeah, what happened to TV shows like Matlock & Murder She Wrote that were geared towards older viewers. Where I live they got rid of the easy listening and oldies (1950s & 1960s hits) stations. But there is a hip hop oldies station now, that plays rap songs from the 1980s & 1990s. There has been a few rare exceptions like the sudden popularity of Betty White and that Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino, released when he was 78 years old and turned out to be the highest grossing movie he's ever been in.

MickyDolenz said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Yes, there is such a thing as ageism and it isn't exclusive to the music business...

Yeah, what happened to TV shows like Matlock & Murder She Wrote that were geared towards older viewers. Where I live they got rid of the easy listening and oldies (1950s & 1960s hits) stations. But there is a hip hop oldies station now, that plays rap songs from the 1980s & 1990s. There has been a few rare exceptions like the sudden popularity of Betty White and that Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino, released when he was 78 years old and turned out to be the highest grossing movie he's ever been in.

Heh heh, not funny--I'm facing ageism for the first time in my life and I have no association with the music biznezz... More power to the Betty Whites of this world! How many people know she had her own TV show in the 50s--before my time...

Barbra Streisand was discoverd by Jack Parr, The Tonight Show host. Ms. Streisand came from the music clubs to TV (Variety Shows) to radio and movies. The Variety TV Show format (1950's - mid 1970's) worked in tandem to promote all types of acts. In my humble opinion - and depending on what part of the US you lived - radio and TV were more diverse after WWII ....up until the late 1970's than its ever been in the last 35 years.

When I was a kid / young woman.. there were two classical stations, two jazz stations, two R&B/Soul stations, one top 100 rock station, and an alternative music station. Thrown in the Elevator and Gospel stations on FM, you had something for everybody. Elevator music consisted of the Great American Song Book and movie scores.

I don't think you really saw ageism until after the 1970's ( anything goes decade) then you start getting demographics studyies and age brackets. I think ageism also occured when deregulation came of radio & TV. ... the variety of music started to shrink. (IMHO)

================================================================

[Edited 5/2/15 21:05pm]

NorthC said:

Not to mention Tony Bennett and Leonard Cohen who released new albums last year. And Bob Dylan, who is young compared to them!

Anne Murray's swansong/retirement CD, "Duets: Friends & Legends" was certified 2x Platinum in Canada when Murray had just turned 68. I don't believe in ageism. Once a legend, ALWAYS a legend and Murray consistently toured throughout her entire career.

Did any of these older performers mentioned in this thread like Tony Bennett sell a lot with their own album or with duet albums with young currently popular acts. Duet albums have generally sold well since the Frank Sinatra ones from the 1990s. This has also worked for Ray Charles, Carlos Santana, Isley Brothers, & Lionel Richie. Maybe not so much anymore, but covers albums have done well for some acts like Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole, & Michael McDonald.

MickyDolenz said:

Did any of these older performers mentioned in this thread like Tony Bennett sell a lot with their own album or with duet albums with young currently popular acts. Duet albums have generally sold well since the Frank Sinatra ones from the 1990s. This has also worked for Ray Charles, Carlos Santana, Isley Brothers, & Lionel Richie. Maybe not so much anymore, but covers albums have done well for some acts like Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole, & Michael McDonald.

From what I recall in the 70s and even early 80s, older artists had best-selling singles played on the radio and TV. Not like today when they have to hook up with younger artists to get on the weird charts these days. Frank Sinatra scored big with "New York, New York," for instance.

Celine Dion (47) is selling a lot. Her French album released in 2012 sold 1.5 million and her 2014 English release sold 1.7 million.

Barbra is regular. Her 1997 album Higher Ground was 3x Platinum. She was 55 at that time. Since then she had 3 more Platinum albums, and 3 Gold albums.

[Edited 4/28/15 13:38pm]

purplethunder3121 said:

From what I recall in the 70s and even early 80s, older artists had best-selling singles played on the radio and TV. Not like today when they have to hook up with younger artists to get on the weird charts these days. Frank Sinatra scored big with "New York, New York," for instance.

Many veteran acts still put out albums, but they generally don't sell that much. There's always an exception like Sade, who didn't release a collabo album. And Charlie Wilson gets played on urban contemporary stations. Here's some who have had albums in recent years, many without a lot of hoopla:

.

The Cars

Bettye LaVette

Rush

Al Green

Original 7ven (The Time)

Willie Nelson

Gloria Estefan

Steely Dan / Donald Fagan

Duran Duran

Aretha Franklin

Booker T. Jones

Sting

Van Halen

LL Cool J

Big Boi (from OutKast)

El DeBarge

Earth, Wind & Fire

Beastie Boys

Metallica & Lou Reed

Toni Braxton & Babyface

B.B. King

Karyn White

ZZ Top

George Benson

Bobby McFerrin

Randy Travis

Depeche Mode

The Delfonics

The Temptations

Black Ivory

Jose Feliciano

Ringo Starr

Paul McCartney

Yoko Ono

Julian Lennon

Jermaine Jackson

Weird Al Yankovic

Superheavy (Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, etc)

Elton John

Ratt

Black Sabbath

Ron Isley

Eddie Levert

U2 (who gave out free download versions of their most recent album)

Motley Crue

Johnny Mathis

Not really for all these established 1960s stars now in the 60s and 70s. Here in New Zealand we seem to get a never ending stream of washed up has beens who sell out halls of 10,000 or so. Currently we have America coming on April 29 and Dennis Lacorriere is touring with his line up of Dr Hook (Complete with Ray the guy with the eyepatch) twice in the past two years.

.

In addition to that we have had the more successful and iconic of older groups, like the Stones who finally played last year, the Eagles in March and Bruce Springsteen last year. These guys all put on great shows and its not just 55 year old women going to the shows, people of all ages go. I nearly went to the Eagles myself and one of my friends in his early 40s flew up from Chch to see Bruce. And everyone here can't wait to see Elton John (Age 68) when he arrives in November, his first show since 2008, and that is the reason why I am not going as the ticket to the 2008 show cost $388 (US$310)

.

The abuse is saved for people aged between 43 and 60 who are still trying to recapture their youth, I mean the Jay Z's, Mariahs, Prince, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg (Now 43), Celines and even Cyndi Lauper are often called past it and the media loves tomake fun of their ongoing misadventures.

Maybe it is because their music is not quite as memorable as the music of the 60s and 70s (Xcept Prince of course).

.

So my guess is that in 2041 when 46 year old Justin Bieber is making a come back, the abuse will border on demonical!!

MickyDolenz said:

purplethunder3121 said:

From what I recall in the 70s and even early 80s, older artists had best-selling singles played on the radio and TV. Not like today when they have to hook up with younger artists to get on the weird charts these days. Frank Sinatra scored big with "New York, New York," for instance.

Many veteran acts still put out albums, but they generally don't sell that much. There's always an exception like Sade, who didn't release a collabo album. And Charlie Wilson gets played on urban contemporary stations. Here's some who have had albums in recent years, many without a lot of hoopla:

.

The Cars

Bettye LaVette

Rush

Al Green

Original 7ven (The Time)

Willie Nelson

Gloria Estefan

Steely Dan / Donald Fagan

Duran Duran

Aretha Franklin

Booker T. Jones

Sting

Van Halen

LL Cool J

Big Boi (from OutKast)

El DeBarge

Earth, Wind & Fire

Beastie Boys

Metallica & Lou Reed

Toni Braxton & Babyface

B.B. King

Karyn White

ZZ Top

George Benson

Bobby McFerrin

Randy Travis

Depeche Mode

The Delfonics

The Temptations

Black Ivory

Jose Feliciano

Ringo Starr

Paul McCartney

Yoko Ono

Julian Lennon

Jermaine Jackson

Weird Al Yankovic

Superheavy (Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, etc)

Elton John

Ratt

Black Sabbath

Ron Isley

Eddie Levert

U2 (who gave out free download versions of their most recent album)

Motley Crue

Johnny Mathis

Got the last Steely Dan-went to the concert. Love Paul's last album "New," and I'm listening to the last Heart album "Fanatic" shich you didn't list that came out in 2012. Love it as well as their one before that "Red Velvet Car." Gonna see Heart this year as well as last. Annie can still belt out those songs and Nancy on guitar...'nuff said.

purplethunder3121 said:

Got the last Steely Dan-went to the concert. Love Paul's last album "New," and I'm listening to the last Heart album "Fanatic" shich you didn't list that came out in 2012. Love it as well as their one before that "Red Velvet Car." Gonna see Heart this year as well as last. Annie can still belt out those songs and Nancy on guitar...'nuff said.

ConFunkShun has just released a new album too

MickyDolenz said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Got the last Steely Dan-went to the concert. Love Paul's last album "New," and I'm listening to the last Heart album "Fanatic" shich you didn't list that came out in 2012. Love it as well as their one before that "Red Velvet Car." Gonna see Heart this year as well as last. Annie can still belt out those songs and Nancy on guitar...'nuff said.

ConFunkShun has just released a new album too

Nice! I'll check it out.

In the 1970s and 1980s, some older singers who didn't get any current radio play or were out of style would have these commercials selling compilations of their songs. Others might be seen on the variety shows that were common at the time. So people who were not around in their heyday would see them. I don't think there is an equivalent of that today.

If you watch the down home blues one, afterwards they show videos for the famous Hey Love set, that was lampooned on House Party One. That album sounds pretty cool with all those classic late 60s, early 70s smooth love jams.

.

"This is a fantastic album, you got to let me borrow it" "No my brother, you have to buy your own"

.

the Blues ad has to be mid to late 80s judging by all the activator and curls those guys have on. The music however is no joke.

[Edited 4/28/15 22:40pm]

MickyDolenz said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Got the last Steely Dan-went to the concert. Love Paul's last album "New," and I'm listening to the last Heart album "Fanatic" shich you didn't list that came out in 2012. Love it as well as their one before that "Red Velvet Car." Gonna see Heart this year as well as last. Annie can still belt out those songs and Nancy on guitar...'nuff said.

ConFunkShun has just released a new album too

Also, Roseanne Cash released The River & The Thread in 2014 and I heard her & her band perform most of the album at a music festival last year. Terrific performance and she is really carrying the family tradition on in a great way...

JanetSerbia said:

Did you know: Some 25 years ago Madonna told to Interview Magazine that Barbra Streisand, then younger than Madonna is now, needed to give up pop music because she was too old.

Madonna now accuses everyone and everything of "ageism".

However, Cher and Tina Turner had their biggest success in their 50s and 60s. Barbra is in her 70s and still selling millions of albums, Celine Dion in her 40s and each of her last two albums sold around 1.5 million globally. Is there such thing as "ageism" or it's their age to be blamed for bad music, or not necessary BAD, but not appealing enough.

Quote/proof???

MickyDolenz said:

Yes,there are always a few exceptions,but when was the last time Bruce Sprinsteen had a Top 10 hit? What about Elton John,Prince,Boz Scaggs,Patti LaBelle,or Pat Benatar? If you're an older/veteran artist,radio is NOT gonna be playing your new material.The only way many of these older artists can have a big album is to do a collection of duets (like Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand did) or a covers album (Rod Stewart revived his career with several covers albums).

JanetSerbia said:

Celine Dion (47) is selling a lot. Her French album released in 2012 sold 1.5 million and her 2014 English release sold 1.7 million.

Barbra is regular. Her 1997 album Higher Ground was 3x Platinum. She was 55 at that time. Since then she had 3 more Platinum albums, and 3 Gold albums.

SoulAlive said:

Yes,there are always a few exceptions,but when was the last time Bruce Sprinsteen had a Top 10 hit? What about Elton John,Prince,Boz Scaggs,Patti LaBelle,or Pat Benatar? If you're an older/veteran artist,radio is NOT gonna be playing your new material.The only way many of these older artists can have a big album is to do a collection of duets (like Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand did) or a covers album (Rod Stewart revived his career with several covers albums).

JanetSerbia said:

Celine Dion (47) is selling a lot. Her French album released in 2012 sold 1.5 million and her 2014 English release sold 1.7 million.

Barbra is regular. Her 1997 album Higher Ground was 3x Platinum. She was 55 at that time. Since then she had 3 more Platinum albums, and 3 Gold albums.

But do those type of CD / albums sale? I've never heard anyone that I know - i know a lot of people - have any of those duet albums in their rotation. I don't hear song from these duet albums in the mall or grocery store. Think about it Soul.

TD3 said:

SoulAlive said:

Yes,there are always a few exceptions,but when was the last time Bruce Sprinsteen had a Top 10 hit? What about Elton John,Prince,Boz Scaggs,Patti LaBelle,or Pat Benatar? If you're an older/veteran artist,radio is NOT gonna be playing your new material.The only way many of these older artists can have a big album is to do a collection of duets (like Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand did) or a covers album (Rod Stewart revived his career with several covers albums).

But do those type of CD / albums sale? I've never heard anyone that I know - i know a lot of people - have any of those duet albums in their rotation. I don't hear song from these duet albums in the mall or grocery store. Think about it Soul.

Lionel's last album was HUGE...his biggest album in years there is definitely an audience for those type of albums.I would never waste my money on that crap,lol.

No more duets of old songs or covers of The Great American Songbook.

SoulAlive said:

Lionel's last album was HUGE...his biggest album in years there is definitely an audience for those type of albums.

Many of the sales were because he went an alternative way by going on Home Shopping Network to sell the album. It's kinda like Paul McCartney & Smokey Robinson selling CDs in Starbucks or Cracker Barrel. Lionel also appeared on country music award shows, the same thing The Eagles & Bon Jovi have done. I've read recently that Nelly is making a country record and there's been country/bluegrass tributes to acts like Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen & Michael Jackson. The Doobie Brothers have recently released a country duets album. So going country seems to have replaced the American Songbook/standards records.

[Edited 4/29/15 11:21am]