Part 2: Artists
I was reminded by several DMusic users that I neglected to include comments from artists in my Verbatim: Quotes from the RIAA, its victims, and its critics story.

So, this is Part 2- Verbatim: Quotes from artists for & against P2P, lawsuits.

As I said in the last compilation- if you're familar with TIME magazine, they do this as well. I hope this seals the gap I left with the first story.

Read on for artist comments…

:-:~ PhantomGhost


"Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD? It's the same thing--people going into the computers and logging on and stealing our music."

-Britney Spears, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"Filesharing is a reality, and it would seem that the labels would do well to learn how to incorporate it into their business models somehow. Record companies suing 12-year-old girls for file sharing is kind of like horse-and-buggy operators suing Henry Ford."

-DJ Moby in a post on his Web site, speaking out for P2P filesharing and an end to lawsuits.


"It may seem innocent enough, but every time you illegally download music a songwriter doesn’t get paid. And, every time you swap that music with your friends a new artist doesn’t get a chance. Respect the artists you love by not stealing their music. You’re in control. Support music, don’t steal it."

-Dixie Chicks, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"This is not rocket science. Instead of spending all this money litigating against kids who are the people they're trying to sell things to in the first place, they have to learn how to effectively use the Internet."

-David Draiman of Disturbed, speaking out for P2P filesharing and an end to lawsuits.


“As an artist you hate for someone to break into your home and take everything that you’ve accumulated over the last how many ever years you’ve been in this game. It’s like a dream to get here, and then once you get here to have someone take it from under you is real tough to deal with. We really look at it as stealing, because, that’s just it, to us it’s black and white, either you pay for it or you don’t. And, you’re not paying for it."

-Nelly, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"Lawsuits on 12-year-old kids for downloading music, duping a mother into paying a $2,000 settlement for her kid? Those scare tactics are pure Gestapo."

-Chuck D of Public Enemy, speaking out for P2P filesharing and an end to lawsuits.


"Record companies, publishers, radio stations, retailers, artists and others in our industry must take a very strong position against the stealing of our writing and music or else those writings and music will become as cheap as the garbage in the streets."

-Stevie Wonder, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"They're protecting an archaic industry. They should turn their attention to new models.”

Bob Weir, The Grateful Dead, speaking out for P2P filesharing.


"Hip Hop has always been about the attainable dream – about running your own business, your own club, your own fanzine. Turning your back on the bootleggers helps us pave the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs. We do our best to bring you the latest, hottest beats, and we appreciate it when our fans show their love and respect by going in that record store and buying the finished product."

-Missy Elliott, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"Who doesn't want to get paid for their work? But I think it works to musicians' benefit for people to be able to occasionally listen to their music and, if they really like it, go out and buy it."

Wayne Coyne of the indie-rock band Flaming Lips, speaking out for P2P filesharing and complaining about the RIAA.


"Making an album is a team effort, so when somebody pirates a record that not only affects the artist, but also the people who worked on it like co-producers, co-writers and musicians. Say no to piracy."

-Shakira, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"My record royalties have dropped 80 percent since 1999. To me, it's one of the weirdest things that's ever happened to me because people act like it's OK. "

-Steve Miller, speaking out for P2P filesharing and complaining about the RIAA.


"As an artist who has dedicated his life to music and the music business, I have seen what illegal music copying has done and continues to do to new and established musicians. I understand why people download music, but for me and my fellow artists, this is our livelihood. When you make an illegal copy, you're stealing from the artist. It’s that simple. Every single day we're out here pouring our hearts and souls into making music for everyone to enjoy. What if you didn’t get paid for your job? Put yourself in our shoes!"

-Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"When the Gap went online, T-shirts didn't become free."

The Barenaked Ladies, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"I'm sorry; when I worked 9 to 5, I expected to get a paycheck every week. It's the same with music; if I'm putting my heart and all my time into music, I expect to get rewarded for that. I work hard and anybody can just throw a computer up and download my music for free.

-Eminem, speaking out against P2P filesharing


“I am excited about the opportunities presented by the Internet because it allows artists to communicate directly with fans. But the bottom line must always be respect and compensation for creative work. I am against Internet piracy and it is wrong for to promote stealing from artists online."

-Elton John, speaking out against P2P filesharing


"They have all these abnormal practices that keep driving the price up. People think musicians make all that money, but it's not true. We make the smallest amount."

-Gregg Rollie, founding member of Santana and Journey, speaking out for P2P filesharing and complaining about the RIAA.


"I don’t like to have a record out and have people hear versions that we don’t want them to hear. With the Internet, there is no more privacy and not even the chance to express yourself in front of your audience in the intimacy of a concert that lets songs evolve. You can’t do this because they immediately get circulated."

-Neil Young, speaking out against P2P filesharing


“It's publicity. All publicity is good publicity as far as I'm concerned. If people are not downloading your music, that's when you’re in trouble."

-Snoop Dogg, speaking out for P2P filesharing


"The bottom line is this- the works of recording artists are being stolen and disseminated over the Internet without fair and just compensation for those artists. This is the way songwriters and singers make their living, and stealing that music and giving it away for free is not right. Then there’s the absurd argument that, ‘Rock stars are wealthy, and therefore, it’s all right to steal from them.’ But the majority of singers and songwriters and recording artists in this business are not wealthy. They’re struggling from hand to mouth, day to day, and they need fair and just compensation for their work. These file sharing services are stealing from the people who create that music."

Don Henley, speaking out against P2P filesharing


“For the artists, my ass. I didn't ask them to protect me, and I don't want their protection. The focus of the industry needs to shift from Soundscan numbers to downloads. It's the way of the future. You can smell it coming. Stop fighting it, because you can't."

-David Drainman, speaking out for P2P filesharing and complaining about the RIAA.


Source Links:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/09/11/MN12066.DTL
http://www.musicunited.org/3_artists.html

Amazing...

The ones speaking out against it act as if they're the only ones in the world who should be paid...

I find it interesting that the majority of artists speaking out against filesharing are the ones who have the most to lose. Most of them have careers because of record label marketing and not because of any talent on their part. I think these artists know that they wouldn't have a career if not for the labels shoving them down our throats.

"Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD? It's the same thing--people going into the computers and logging on and stealing our music."

-Britney Spears, speaking out against P2P filesharing

Well we all know what we think of brainless sex idols.

"The bottom line is this- the works of recording artists are being stolen and disseminated over the Internet without fair and just compensation for those artists. This is the way songwriters and singers make their living, and stealing that music and giving it away for free is not right. Then there’s the absurd argument that, ‘Rock stars are wealthy, and therefore, it’s all right to steal from them.’ But the majority of singers and songwriters and recording artists in this business are not wealthy. They’re struggling from hand to mouth, day to day, and they need fair and just compensation for their work. These file sharing services are stealing from the people who create that music."

Don Henley, speaking out against P2P filesharing

Well you know what I say to that? Dump your crappy money grabbing label and either market it yourself and get most of the takings or shut up and live with the pigopolists.

"When the Gap went online, T-shirts didn't become free."

The Barenaked Ladies, speaking out against P2P filesharing

This has got to be the dumbest statement I have heard for ages. If we could digitize t-shirts then YES they would become free! Well at least you can grab the designs and print your own I guess.

I thought Neil Young had said favorable things about file-sharing ina rolling stone interview. I could swear it was posted here to great praise.

Don't forget the pro file-sharing quotes from Bowie and Courtney Taylor on this same news page!

“It's publicity. All publicity is good publicity as far as I'm concerned. If people are not downloading your music, that's when you’re in trouble."

-Snoop Dogg, speaking out for P2P filesharing

The D-O-double G has tha' shizzle on yo nizzle, fo' rizzle.
(translation: he's right. when people won't even DL your music that's when no one gives a crap about you & you won't be selling CDs anyway)

Also notice that those who speak out against p2p don't care about the artistry, connection to music fans, etc., its all about getting PAID.

If the artists spent LESS time worrying about getting paid & MORE time connecting in a meaninful way to their fans, & producing a quality product, the money would follow.

wow Snoop Dogg is one smart man and so is Chuck D but we all knew about chuck :0) any way lisson to the greed starting to build in thair words lison to the last ditch efforts starting to grow lisson as the screams fill the halls and echos of madness of soon to be out of bissness fat cats

keep lissoning keep wondering keep on hopeing the day will come and music will be free of the big 5-4-3 well

as you can see thair getting smaller bye the day

I don't get it. Why are these artists speaking out against file sharing? Because the WON'T get paid? The Record Label is stealing your paycheck anyways, stupid! And the best paycheck you can get is on tour. Do you really think people are gonna shell out $150-200 a night to see your lame ass if we don't know your music? You don't make money on CD purchases anyways. Why not be for file sharing, let your music be shared and get known, and THEN reap the real bucks on concert tour?

I guess the one that upsets me the most is Don Henley. How the HELL could you? If there is anyone that should be able to see through this RIAA bull, I would have thought it would have been you. Too bad. I used to really enjoy your music and opinions. Now, I'll puke my guts out rather than spend a dime to see your ass in concert. You suck.

Correct, sinistermidget2.

Many of the artists who spoke out against P2P did so at the heavy handed bequest of the RIAA. The RIAA can be very persuasive when it comes to artists' opinion. Fortunately, this hasn't prevented many artists from disgustedly turning their backs on the labels- whether they're indie or signed with one of the Big Four (Sony/BMG are merging).

:-:~ Phantom

When I want a cup of coffee, I brew some or dirve to my local Dunkin Donuts, I don't pay a private jet $5000.00 to fly across country to pick it up from my favorite coffee house (The Fab Life Of Britney Spears, VH1, 2003) When Britney's only option is WaWa or DD, cause she don't have the money for private jets, then I'll stop downloading.

To any recording artist who has 7 cars, 10 million dollar homes, and more money than you know what to do with...it seems like no one is "stealing" anything from you, so piss off, when you are broke due to downloading, then I MIGHT lend an ear.

I'd really like to meet some of these artists in person.

Quite predictable to see that the artists with no talent are speaking against file sharing while those with talent as speaking for it. Just goes to show how big of RIAA stooges they are, they all pretty much said the same thing.

"I guess the one that upsets me the most is Don Henley. How the HELL could you? If there is anyone that should be able to see through this RIAA bull, I would have thought it would have been you."

Don Henley can see through the RIAA bull and he has gone against them - the contract hearings in California last year for example. Maybe you should realize that this is his opinion whether you like it or not.

Untalented hacks like Britney Whore and Missy Elliot need to speak out against P2P because without the estoric hyped marketing they receive everywhere they dont stand a chance.

A musician who tours his/her ass off...who has a STRONG following everywhere has the best future. Think about it..dedicated fan willing pay $10 (reasonable) for their own work and the desire to keep them going without the asinine expenditures and amenities to be a useless pop star can make more income.

An indie who can sell 3,000 units is a lot of money if he/she can budget the quality production right. With the help of the local market...every musician can get a decent slice of the pie. I personally do not d/l music unless it is with their consent. I strongly support local musicians i like by going to their shows..having a good time an buy their CD I can listen to.

The fact that people are willing to buy a CD based on publicity stunts like that old cow Madonna frenching Britney Whores, or the pedophilic Michael Jackson being arrested and charged..and those who actually can stomach American Idle shows that any musician has a chance if they present themselves right.

There's the consolation prize for ya.

"Record companies, publishers, radio stations, retailers, artists and others in our industry must take a very strong position against the stealing of our writing and music or else those writings and music will become as cheap as the garbage in the streets."

I'm really disapointed in Stevie.

mroop,

It's true Don Henley opposed the RIAA as you mentioned. It is also true that he went against the RIAA for being charged for ILLEGAL payola. Again, it was HIS paycheck that was shorted, and only in HIS interest that he went against the RIAA for in both cases. Yet, he's for them when it comes to stopping file sharing. Seems to me he likes to ride BOTH sides of the fence.

Quite frankly, I don't like his opinion. And I'll express MINE the best way I know how... by NOT buying anything of his ever again.

File sharing makes artists more popular, increases sales and promotes their products, whether it be live performances or CD's. A downloaded file has 1/10th of the information a CD file does. If he wants to collect that fair sum ($1.50 for a whole downloaded CD), then I wouldn't really care. Nor do I blame him for being all about the artists. Just don't be that way by siding with the RIAA.

"The reason why the RIAA comes off as a gang of ignorant thugs is because, well, how do I put this -- they are. I came into this business in an age of entrepreneurial integrity. The legends of the golden age of recorded music were still at the helm of most labels -- the Ertegun's, the Ostins, the Alperts and Mosses by the dozens. Now we have four monolithic (in every sense of the word) entities and a front organization that crows about the fact that they have solved their problems by leaning on a 12-year-old. Thank God that mystical fascination with the world of music has been stubbed out -- hopefully everyone will get the message and get over the idea that the musician actually meant for you to hear this.

"This stink is about a bunch of dumb-asses blaming the public for doing what the labels could have -- and should have -- done 10 years ago. I know because I told them so, each and every one individually and relentlessly: Put the music on a server so you can deliver on-demand services to people's homes. Seems so stupidly simple now."

-- Todd Rundgren, speaking on behalf of reality

I don't think Henley is riding both sides of the fence. In all cases, he is doing what he believes is in his own self interest. If his feelings coincide with the RIAA then so be it. I only object to your statement that Henley can't see through the RIAA bull. It is automatically assumed that when an artist speaks out against file sharing that they have been coerced by the RIAA. That is not necessarily true. It could be that it is their own opinion.

Let me also add that this whole argument about making money through touring does not take into account the songwriter who is not part of the band. Remember that some of America's greatest artists did not write their own songs - Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald for example. Country music in particular uses lots of songwriters - these songwriters do not get a cut of touring, they make their money from cd sales and radio play.

I'm sure some of you will say screw the artist who doesn't write their own songs. That is because you are young and don't know about music before The Beatles and Dylan. You can be an artist and not a songwriter.

Okay, mroop...

Here's the problem with Henley's position, with the understanding that -- other than this -- I completely agree with what you say about his right to have an opinion, whether it agrees with the RIAA or not.

At the same time Henley has been complaining about "theft" via the Internet, he has also been complaining about payola.

So he's PAYING to get songs played on the radio (where we can listen to them for free, should the Clear Channel International Programming Committee deem it worthy), but if we listen to them of our own volition we are stealing.

This does not compute.

I wouldnt say "Screw the artist because they dont write their own songs"

You can be a brilliant guitarist, etc musician who do not write music just as a singer like an opera singer. THAT is an entire caliber of it's own tho. A singer is like any instrument..a voice.

A songwriter who sings is regarded differently to me because they have something to say.

I do however have no reserve for acts that use their looks or their ridiculous marketing antics to buy their products. It says a lot about the "artist".

You can be a brilliant vocalist an artist..but if youre an ass...I have no incentive nor respect to haven anything to do with you. Thats me personally with anyone.

"Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD? It's the same thing--people going into the computers and logging on and stealing our music."

-Britney Spears, speaking out against P2P filesharing

INTO THE COMPUTERS!??
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
that makes no sense

Sounds like a record exec told her what to say, and like an idiot, she messed it up, into the computers, haahhah, what a joke

I could have made this much longer, but I cut the comments down to those I considered stupid, funny, or very good: for example, Britney Spears' quote, which seems like it came out of the ground or somewhere else.

David Drainman of Disturbed, more than anyone else, seemed to have the right idea.

:-:~ Phantom

Isn't it curious to note that the majority of statements made AGAINST P2P and filesharing come from artists that are making a killing by being molded into pop culture nincompoops?

I agree with a good portion of statements that were made on BOTH sides. What seems to be missing in most of them is the level of respect and consideration that is owed to the CONSUMER.

When you buy a car, electronic product, etc. you receive a warranty, right? In case something goes wrong. I must have missed that in all the CDs that I've bought from stores...

It must have been packaged with that money back guarantee for a quality product (which is found with some products and a good portion of the service industry). Anyone know where these two things are?

If I buy a PC and a component dies, the warranty replaces (within the time frame, I know), but if my CD gets damaged...I gotta buy it again.

If the electrician comes by to repair a line and it craps out an hour later, he returns and eats the cost...recording industry isn't going to refund my money for buying a CD that I hate, are they?

Respect is a two-way street. So far, the industry and a portion of artists aren't holding up their end of the bargain and complaining when they get called on it. So much for credibility, eh?

As for Neil Young's comments, I don't really take that little bit as pro- or against filesharing...I can see he doesn't care for it too much, mostly because the true link between the artist and the fan tends to be lost in the translation, which is true enough.

Mr. Henley, Elton John need to learn a little more about respect. They give their fans a good level with the quality of their music, but they need to help level the playing field a bit more.

Eminem, not that I care for his music at all, does make a good, yet simplistic point. Would he feel the same if he were making 25 cents an hour? No, he wouldn't.

Barenaked Ladies--nice attempt. Falls flat. Think a little more before you speak.

Britney? Come on. Can anyone say one-sided and ignorant?

Kudos to Gregg Rollie...about the only one who spoke like he knew the truth.

P. Diddy - ok, for a person with the vision he has, this is a truly narrow view of what's happening. How long have friends swapped tapes, etc. back and forth saying "Hey, check this out! THese guys are great!" Now, we use a PC to do the same thing, right?

****

The bottom line for me seems to be the older (maybe less popular) artists are for this. And the newer (mostly money-hungry) artists are against it. So, the issue is money, not music...right Sean?

I like seeing articles like this because you really find out who the REAL people are and who the gomers are.

"At the same time Henley has been complaining about "theft" via the Internet, he has also been complaining about payola.

So he's PAYING to get songs played on the radio (where we can listen to them for free, should the Clear Channel International Programming Committee deem it worthy), but if we listen to them of our own volition we are stealing."

Far be it for me to grasp the logic of Don Henley. But if he complained about payola then doesn't that mean he is against it? I would say if payola is paid by his record company that is not Henley's choice, it is the decision of the record company.

But from what I have read The Eagles are going independent with their next release. Their sucky single Hole In The World was released by Eagles Record Company 2. They cut a deal with Best Buy where you could only buy the single at BB for the first 30 days. So Henley rails against the big corps and then makes a deal with BB. I call that hypocritical. The independent stores complained by writing an open letter to Don Henley and Irving Azoff responded with a scathing letter. I looked for it but I can't find it. All I found was this quote, "I wish I could find a way not to give it to the independent guys. Forget about giving it to one-I wish I could think of a legal way not to sell it to the jerks that complained."

What I find the most amusing is that only the "artists" who's annual income exceeds $10 million are the ones who are complaining about all the money they're losing. Yet, the starving artists are the ones who are personally uploading their own music on P2P in hopes that they will get recognized. Britney, Metallica and Madonna will see more money from concert sales, merchandise sales and books sales then they will ever see from the whopping $1.25 they get per album sale. It makes me so sick. I don't even understand why Britney cares if people download her music. Can anyone really name more than 2 songs she ever "written"? No, but I bet anyone could tell us her bust size...

Yeah, it's all about the music! Whatever...

BTW, Boycott-Riaa.com... make this message box a little bigger. =P

"I would say if payola is paid by his record company that is not Henley's choice, it is the decision of the record company."

Oh, I see...

While the RECORD COMPANIES have been paying for airplay, they're suing people for making their own choice about what to listen to.

Now it makes much more sense.

"This is not rocket science--instead of spending all this money litigating against kids who are the people they're trying to sell things to in the first place, they have to learn how to effectively use the Internet. For the artists, my ass...I didn't ask them to protect me, and I don't want their protection."

Lead Singer of Disturbed, David Draiman


I have not bought a CD from a major record label in over a year now. I still buy from local bands and such when I know the money will be going into making their music better...not some corporate bigwigs pocket.

Are we winning the battle against the RIAA??? We really can't lose.

It seems that the ones who already have enough money to retire 8500000 times over again are bitching the most. As Ani Difranco would say "All I have to say is FUCK YOU" You piece of shit 10000000 a year jerks can come and live with me for awhile working and barely paying for college. Then you expect me to go to the local cheapo and pay 15.99 for a cd that is on sale? Go to hell you greedy bastards.

mroop points out exactly what Don Henley is lacking, and was mentioned earlier. RESPECT. Not only for the consumer this time. But for the people that make him money by selling his stuff. So he wouldn't want to deal with those independents that complained. Good don't and see how many FEWER CD's you would sell.

And your point about songwriters explains Henley's position even more. Why? Because Don Henley's name is listed as a songwriter on most of his tracks. So if music is downloaded he feels he is losing EVEN more money. Yet, my point about seeing through the RIAA bull is this: he still thinks he loses money as a result of file sharing. He doesn't. Not as much as he or the RIAA would have us believe. Sales went up BEFORE Napster was shut down. Sales have been declining ever since the RIAA has tried to stop file sharing programs and started suing it's customers. Seems like the new sales plan is the cause of declining sales, not file sharing.

I hate to see an artist like Don Henley that, in his younger days, would stand up and fight for the freedoms that the internet bring (such as file sharing) instead of succombing to the corporate greed of the day. I guess he's just grown up. I'm surprised he doesn't wear a suit to work everyday. He's acting like one.

" dude, you ripped me off"
- lars ulrich of metallica

of course lars was stoned at the time

I'd like to ask each one of the artists who expressed an anti-P2P opinion, "Did you ever tape songs from the radio when you were a teen?" "Did you ever borrow a friend's album and make a cassette?" "Did you ever borrow records and tapes from the library?" If these gold-plated bozos were honest, most of them would admit they had. Morally, what is the difference? It is a new medium, but conceptually the same behavior.

Or how about asking them, "Did you ever videotape Star Trek (or Friends) and watch it later, fast forwarding through the commercials?"

You thieves!

Yeah.. but Don Henley?? .. :dissapointed:

FUNNY how all those who spoke out against file sharing never said a word about how the record labels have RIPPED them off over the years?????? If artists are living hand to mouth it's because of the lousy records that they are forced to take!!!!!!!!!!!!

that should be record deals that they are forced to take!!!!!!

And what about the music fans????? Not one of these CLOWNS who spoke out against file sharing ever considered THEM or the impact on their LIVES from A LAWSUIT!!!!!!!!!!

I like the one about how it's their livelyhood we are stealing.. Yeah, I feel for you when I watch cribs and hear you all gloat about how you have 5 cars and how only "real ballers drive bentley's".. How about this one, Only Real people work 9-5 living week by week on their meeger paychecks while the RIAA controls all of the music and charges us 15 dollars a cd.. If anything good comes out of file sharing even if you don't use it, the falling CD prices will help everyone, including the RIAA.. Please, don't give me that BS you greedy artists and RIAA... If the RIAA gave artists their fair share then none of us would be having this problem would we? Dixie Sluts..