Max Décharné

The musical gravy train: Leaving The Building, by Eamonn Forde, reviewed

Managing the legacies of musicians after their death is a complex – and lucrative – business

Elvis Presley in 1956. The manner in which his estate monetised his legacy set the benchmark for the future. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 
issue 14 August 2021

Musicians cast a long cultural shadow. Politicians may wield considerable power in their time, but although today’s young people are still generally aware of John Lennon, they are less likely to have heard of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, despite the fact that he was running the country during the year the Beatles first came to international prominence.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in