Steven Van Zandt: ‘Streaming Is a Disaster for Artists. A Disaster.’

Legendary musician, rock n’ roll curator, and actor Steven Van Zandt says the rise of streaming has been seriously detrimental to artists.

The rise of streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Pandora has worsened the lives of artists, according to one of rock n’ roll’s most celebrated musicians. Steven Van Zandt, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a core member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, was a keynote interviewee at the recently-held Making Vinyl conference in Detroit.

At one point during the interview, Van Zandt traced the ascent of grittier rock n’ roll to the portable 45 record player, which allowed younger fans to listen to music in the privacy of their rooms. Previously, kids had to ask their parents to play records on the living room record player, where artists like Little Richard would never be permitted.

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