PINK says the state of the music industry is so dire she would be flipping burgers if she didn’t tour so much. The singer has been playing live almost constantly for a year now, and says if she didn’t, she’d probably have to return to her old job. “If I were not a touring artist, these days, with the way that the industry is, I would be sending my resume into McDonald’s,” she told Sky News. “I actually worked there for a year. I was a drive-through girl. I was very good with the Janet Jackson microphone.” Pink’s persistence has paid off. Her Funhouse Tour has taken more than $350 million this year, and taken the star through packed-out UK arenas twice. But you’d still be hard pushed to find someone who would have predicted that she’d be on the list of top grossing live performers for 2009, alongside the likes of U2 and Madonna. “It’s kind of surreal,” she laughs. “You kind of forget to step back and look at that when you’re on the road for a year and a half. “It makes me feel really good because I know how hard I work and how hard all the people with me work. The secret is wine! And the gym … oh, and don’t lip synch.” After going home to see her dogs for Christmas, Pink will be straight back on the road next year. She has just announced a string of even bigger shows at UK stadiums, and a headline slot at the Wireless Festival in July. “It feels awesome because I’m the first female to headline,” Pink said. “That’s something to be really proud of. “I remember the first time I played the V Festival, I was so overwhelmed, but I just got used to it. It makes me feel like Janis Joplin!” Pink’s success proves that despite the onset of illegal downloads, music can be big business. But she worries that shows like X Factor may be creating the wrong sort of generic pop stars. “I have a very conflicting opinion about all of it,” she said. “I’d love to see shows that were as successful with kids getting up and playing original material and playing instruments – but then I wanted to be on (US talent show) Star Search so I can only talk so much trash!”
Thanks: Deschuyver
