This one chart explains why so many heritage rock acts are still touring

Acts from the 60s, 70s, and 80s are still on the road many weeks a year. Shouldn’t they be retired by now? Why are they still subjecting themselves to the rigours of touring? Always follow the money. This one chart explains everything.

In the old days, a hit album would generated sales royalties for decades. For example, in the pre-Napster era, each Doors album sold between one and two million albums every single year. Today, though, no one is buying albums and those royalty cheques continue to shrink dramatically. The only way to make up for the lost revenue is to tour.

Read more at Quartz.