UK readers – ever wonder why music gear costs so much?

One reason may be all the people that play Stairway to Heaven, La Grange and (keyboardists) the Lucky Man synth solo when they go to music stores.

According to the BBC, music stores in the UK have to pay a fee to cover for the “public performance” of these works in their stores:

“Musical instrument shops must pay an annual royalty to cover shoppers who perform a recognisable riff before they buy, thereby making a public performance.”

So next time you buy some gear, make sure you take time to enjoy that rockin’ public performance of the guitar riff from Smoke on the Water, so you’ll know you’re getting your moneys worth.