Still enough people around who appreciated quality music back then.
Not to insult a handful of artists who stand out now. There are no small labels, small clubs to introduce new acts or as someone said “no places left for a new kid to be bad at first.” You have to be ready for viral music and national attention right away.
Just before he died, Leonard Cohen was told by a record label executive: “You are near the top of the music industry. But there is no music industry.”
Yep...Vocal coaches in my day told their young singers to remember that one half of a crowd was probably tone deaf and one quarter didn't care. That left just one quarter to please...