Why No Bruce Springsteen for Clear Channel?

Authored by Scott Goldberg on October 30, 2007 - 5:33am.

Apparently the answer to that question, according to Roger Friedman of Fox News, is that “Clear Channel seems to have sent a clear message to other radio outlets that at age 58, Springsteen simply is too old to be played on rock stations.” His comment comes on the heels of a report by Radio & Records that Springsteen’s new album Magic isn’t getting radio play, despite having sold 500,000 copies and currently sitting as the number 1 album.

But is age the issue?

According to Friedman it is, and he’s noticed a trend. “There is no sign at major radio stations of new albums by John Fogerty or Annie Lennox, either. The same stations that should be playing Santana’s new singles with Chad Kroeger or Tina Turner are avoiding them, too. Like Springsteen, these ‘older’ artists have been relegated to something called Triple A format stations — i.e. either college radio or small artsy stations such as WFUV in the Bronx, N.Y., which are immune from the Clear Channel virus of pre-programming and where the number of plays per song is a fraction of what it is on commercial radio.

Extra:
Bruce Springsteen has 8th Career #1 Album

Published in DMW Daily, October 30, 2007

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tags: Radio | Music | Clear Channel | Politics |

Comments

they had no problem streaming the album on sites before release.

Submitted by rockusa (not verified) on October 30, 2007 - 10:47am.

but play it, when new Britney or Timberyonce crapola is so important all over the place? Name a current 'hit' artist who'll be vital into their 50s? (U2 doesn't count, because they're in the 40s already). Name someone 'young' 20 something who'll still have vision and impact in 20 some years? I thought so. Looking to the real alternative/indie music scene and that's where you'll find 'em. But they don't get Clear Channel play either, do they?