The History Of The Music Industry: 1970 to 1990: The History Of The Music Industry, #2

By Matti Charlton

In the early 1970s, the music industry was already facing major challenges. New technologies such as cassette tapes and compact discs were becoming more prevalent, leading to a decline in vinyl record sales. Additionally, the rise of illegal music downloading and bootlegging was becoming an issue for many artists, who were losing out on potential earnings. This led to the formation of new companies and changes in the way that the music industry worked.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matti Charlton
• Release date: May 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223362708

Matti Charlton

Matti Charlton is writer, designer and recording artist. They live in Toronto, Canada with their service dog, Quentin.Matti is autistic, queer and transgender and writes passionately about social issues and modern technology; most recently, with their book "Homelessness broke ChatGPT" casting a critical eye on the bias of the popular AI software. Matti has also written several children's books and young adult novels.Matti is an advocate for trans issues, mental health and poverty, especially homelessness and addiction.Matti's career has spanned a wide range of disciplines, from software development and art direction to fashion design, music production and writing. In 2023, they published their 12th album of electronic pop music, "Almost", and their first fiction novel "Dendrome".Matti created the first transgender-owned underwear company in the world, Retromatti Athletics, in 2014, manufacturing the entire line from their apartment in downtown Toronto. The company expanded to provide digital artwork to craft makers during COVID-19.Matti's website: https://matticharlton.com/On Facebook: https://facebook.com/matticharltonOn Instagram: https://instagram.com/retromattiMatti's books: https://books.matticharlton.com/Matti's music: https://spotify.matticharlton.com/Matti's online business: https://retromatti.com/

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1970-1990

The History of the Music Industry

matti charlton

Copyright ©2022-2023 matti charlton

The

History

of the

Music

Industry

1991 - 2022

matti charlton

Contents

Introduction 1

1970 7

1971 17

1972 23

1973 29

1974 35

1975 41

1976 47

1977 53

1978 61

1979 65

1980 69

1981 75

1982 79

1983 85

1984 89

1985 93

1986 97

1987 101

1988 105

1989 109

1990 113

Copyright ©2023 matti charlton.

Introduction

In the early 1970s, the music industry was already facing major challenges. New technologies such as cassette tapes and compact discs were becoming more prevalent, leading to a decline in vinyl record sales. Additionally, the rise of illegal music downloading and bootlegging was becoming an issue for many artists, who were losing out on potential earnings. This led to the formation of new companies and changes in the way that the music industry worked.

One company that played a significant role in this period was Columbia Records. They had signed some of the biggest artists of the time, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith. However, they faced criticism for their focus on commercial success rather than artistic integrity. Despite this, they remained one of the major players in the industry.

Another company that emerged during this period was Apple Records. The Beatles had founded the label in 1968, but it began to have a significant impact in the 1970s. The label signed artists such as James Taylor and Badfinger, and continued to release music by the Beatles themselves. However, the label faced legal issues in the 1970s and eventually closed in the early 1980s.

The 1970s also saw the emergence of disco music, which was characterized by its upbeat tempo and danceability. Companies such as Casablanca Records and T.K. Records became major players in the disco scene, signing artists such as Donna Summer and KC and the Sunshine Band. Disco music reached its peak in the late 1970s before falling out of favor in the early 1980s.

In the mid-1970s, the punk rock movement began to gain momentum. This genre was characterized by its raw and aggressive sound, as well as its rebellious attitude. Independent record labels such as Rough Trade and Stiff Records played a major role in the punk rock scene, signing artists such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash. However, many major record labels were initially hesitant to embrace punk rock, seeing it as a niche genre with limited commercial potential.

As the 1980s began, the music industry faced new challenges with the rise of MTV. The music video channel became a major force in promoting new artists and songs, leading to increased pressure on artists to have visually appealing music videos. This era saw the emergence of new wave music, which incorporated elements of punk rock and electronic music. Bands such as Duran Duran and the Human League became popular, and record labels such as EMI and Chrysalis became major players in the genre.

Another significant development in the 1980s was the emergence of hip hop music. This genre had its roots in the Bronx in the 1970s, but it began to gain mainstream attention in the 1980s. Record labels such as Sugar Hill Records and Def Jam Recordings signed artists such as Run-DMC and LL Cool J, and hip hop began to have a major impact on popular culture.

Throughout this period, many artists faced challenges in terms of control over their music and earnings. The music industry was often criticized for its treatment of artists, with many musicians being signed to unfair contracts that left them with little creative control or financial compensation. Some artists, such as Prince, took a stand against these practices and fought for their rights as creators.

One company that was known for its aggressive tactics towards artists was Warner Music Group. The company faced criticism for its treatment of musicians, including the notorious 360 deals that gave them a share of artists’ earnings from concerts and merchandise. Despite this, Warner Music Group remained one of the major players in the industry throughout the period.

Another company that played a significant role was Sony Music Entertainment. The company was formed in the late 1980s following the merger of CBS Records and Sony , and became one of the largest music companies in the world. Sony Music signed many popular artists, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Billy Joel.

In the 1980s, the music industry also faced new challenges in the form of digital piracy. As the internet became more widespread, it became easier for people to share and download music illegally, leading to significant losses for artists and record labels. This issue would continue to plague the industry in the following decades.

Despite these