Post by Hugh on Aug 14, 2012 17:37:40 GMT
The closing ceremony of the London Games featured a who’s who of British music of the past and present: from The Who and Annie Lennox to One Direction, Madness and Fatboy Slim. But it has emerged that the artists were paid just £1 ($1.56 Cdn) for performing at either the opening or closing ceremonies.
Paul McCartney,George Michael, Liam Gallagher and Arctic Monkeys — acts accustomed to getting paid handsomely for concert appearances — were each paid the same amount, according to Associated Press.
Most likely took on the project for the honour of representing their country during a high-profile blast of British culture that was watched around the world.
The side benefit for some has been a huge boost in song and album sales.
For instance, after Mike Oldfield became the surprise hit of the Olympics opening ceremony, sales of his 1973 album Tubular Bells rose by 757 per cent in Britain alone, according to Gennaro Castaldo, head of press and PR for music retailer HMV.
Sales of punk singer Frank Turner’s most recent album, England Keep My Bones, shot up 371 per cent following his turn as a warm-up act for the opening ceremony, while sales of rapper Dizzee Rascal’s latest, Tongue N’ Cheek, rose 356 per cent, according to Music Week.
Castaldo told the Telegraph increased interest in McCartney’s music was to be expected, as well as that of David Bowie, whose songs were also featured in both the Olympics opener and closer, though the singer appeared only in archival video.
Paul McCartney,George Michael, Liam Gallagher and Arctic Monkeys — acts accustomed to getting paid handsomely for concert appearances — were each paid the same amount, according to Associated Press.
Most likely took on the project for the honour of representing their country during a high-profile blast of British culture that was watched around the world.
The side benefit for some has been a huge boost in song and album sales.
For instance, after Mike Oldfield became the surprise hit of the Olympics opening ceremony, sales of his 1973 album Tubular Bells rose by 757 per cent in Britain alone, according to Gennaro Castaldo, head of press and PR for music retailer HMV.
Sales of punk singer Frank Turner’s most recent album, England Keep My Bones, shot up 371 per cent following his turn as a warm-up act for the opening ceremony, while sales of rapper Dizzee Rascal’s latest, Tongue N’ Cheek, rose 356 per cent, according to Music Week.
Castaldo told the Telegraph increased interest in McCartney’s music was to be expected, as well as that of David Bowie, whose songs were also featured in both the Olympics opener and closer, though the singer appeared only in archival video.