Neil Young: "Streaming has ended for me"
Neil Young is over streaming.
The 69-year-old rocker says he's pulling his music from streaming services because they don't measure up to his sound quality standards. Young has championed for better-sounding digital music for years, so his latest move doesn't come as a complete shock.
Young took to Facebook with the news this week, writing that streaming has "ended" for him and that he hopes that's OK with fans.
"It's not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent. It's about sound quality. I don't need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution. I don't feel right allowing this to be sold to my fans. It's bad for my music," he explained.
Young's primary reasoning for the change is a little different from Taylor Swift's, for instance. The pop starlet refused to let Spotify stream her "1989" album last fall because of issues she had with compensation.
She recently fired back at Apple for its initial artist payment plan during the 3-month trial period for Apple Music. The company swiftly changed its course, though, and is now paying up. Artists and record labels will now be compensated for music played during a free, three-month trial of its new streaming music service.
Meanwhile, Neil -- keep on rockin' in the free world.
