In an interview recently granted to AMFM MagazineAdrian Smith, guitarist of Iron Maiden, spoke about the growing precariousness of the profession of musician. Despite his own success, he recognizes that living from his music Today remains a privilege reserved for a tiny minority of artists.
Adrian Smith is sounding the alarm: “Very few people live from their music”
Adrian Smith, who also shares the scene with Richie Kotzen in the Smith/Kotzen project, delivered a detour testimony to the reality of the current music industry. In this interview with AMFM Magazinehe evokes the necessary sacrifices to hope to unravel and the weak chances of really achieving it: “You can play as much as you want, have fun, have a group. But if you want to make your life, it’s another story. You have to devote yourself entirely. You can spend what many consider the most beautiful years of your life, from the end of your adolescence at the end of their twenties, trying to succeed … and never get there.”
Smith specifies that even having a successful record guarantees nothing today: “If you consider that having succeeded, it is to earn money, very few get there. Unless you are part of a group of the Top 40. Even groups with tubes have trouble getting out of it, because no one buys any more. The money is rare. It’s very, very difficult.”
A bitter observation, even for established groups
The guitarist of Iron Maiden also evokes the high cost that involves bringing a group to life, with little outdoor support: “You must almost have a sponsor. Before, record companies financed the groups until they can earn money. Today, it is much more complicated.”
For those who are considering a more stable career in music, Adrian Smith advises to turn to the profession of studio musician, an area that can sometimes allow those who have solid musical reading skills. But the idea of becoming a Rockstar is an exception: “Being in a group that earns your life is a tiny part of the artists. You need almost a miracle.”
-Iron Maiden: a striking contrast with the reality experienced by the majority
Iron Maiden, an emblematic group of Heavy Metal, is an exception. With more than 100 million albums sold and a world tour with closed counters – Run For Your Liveswhich begins on May 27 in Budapest – the group continues to attract millions of fans worldwide. Their new live drummer, Simon Dawson, will accompany the group for this special tour marking its 50th anniversary.
As mentioned recently by Bruce Dickinson himself, even a group of this scale evolves with caution in a musical world in rapid change, where the sale of records has given way to streaming, and where the tours remain the main source of income.
Despite this context, Adrian Smith concludes with a note of hope: “But if you are really determined, nothing will stop you, I suppose.”
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