Richard Marx Speaks Out Against the Record Industry’s “Reaming” of the Consumer
by E. Christopher Clark | Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Now, here’s something unexpected: Richard Marx, he of “Should’ve Known Better” fame (or, at least that’s how I best remember him), is speaking out against the record industry after his song “Now and Forever” was one listed as one of the songs that Jammie Thomas-Rasset was ordered to pay $1,920,000 ($80,000 per song) for downloading.
Marx writes:
As a longtime professional songwriter, I have always objected to the practice of illegal downloading of music. I have also always, however, been sympathetic to the average music fan, who has been consistently financially abused by the greedy actions of major labels. These labels, until recently, were responsible for the distribution of the majority of recorded music, and instead of nurturing the industry and doing their best to provide the highest quality of music to the fans, they predominantly chose to ream the consumer and fill their pockets.
So now we have a “judgment” in a case of illegal downloading, and it seems to me, especially in these extremely volatile economic times, that holding Ms. Thomas-Rasset accountable for the continuing daily actions of hundreds of thousands of people is, at best, misguided and at worst, farcical. Her accountability itself is not in question, but this show of force posing as judicial come-uppance is clearly abusive. Ms. Thomas-Rasset, I think you got a raw deal, and I’m ashamed to have my name associated with this issue.
Wow. Just wow. This is something you expect out of Trent Reznor, but not Richard Marx. Right? It’s very nifty to see all sorts of artists speaking out against this nonsense.
Thanks to Mashable for linking this up.
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Comments
Jeremy Couturier says:
I read about this last week and thought the ruling was ridiculous. This woman will never be able to pay those fines and if she was able how much of that money goes directly to the industry and not the artist themselves. All of it? The tide is turning, and the labels know they are going to be squeezed out of the equation. This is just a sad attempt. What’s not sad is Richard Marx’s sweet 90s mullet. The Canadian Passport is always a friend of the average music fan.
E. Christopher Clark says:
@Bethany - Seriously? You geek out about Richard Marx? That’s awesome on too many levels. I seriously love “Should’ve Known Better” more than any straight, white, NIN-loving man should.
@Jeremy - Sweet 90s Mullet… There’s a band name waiting to happen, if ever I’ve heard one.
Bethany says:
I am serious about geeking out to Richard Marx! I saw him in concert once at an amusement park in July - one of the hottest days of the year. They literally watered the audience down with a fire hose. Clearly this was before people were lawsuit happy!
My hands-down favorite song of his is “Should’ve Known Better,” but I confess it’s not the only one on my iPod!
E. Christopher Clark says:
I bet it was twice as hot just because Richard and his Sweet 90s Mullet were there, wasn’t it?
:-P
Bethany says:
Ah! You’ve stumbled upon yet another thing that I geek out about: Richard Marx! I’ve seen him in concert three times (count ‘em). And sat next to him on a flight to Chicago… although I was too chicken to say hi.