They cannot stop you making music

They – that is, the bastards that would grind you down – cannot stop you making music.

They can stop you from making a living from it, though.

Think of all those bands who somehow never seemed to get paid despite multiple hit records. Steve Marriott of The Small Faces ended up collecting 7-Up bottles for the deposit, and stealing to feed his family.

Thirty years ago, the standard fee for a gig in a pub was around £200. In 2025, it continues to be around £200.

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