V8 I haven't given it much thought no, other than what I've picked up in passing from better minds than mine - the business side has never attracted my attention for long enough to really know what is going on in it. The conclusions I've given seem fairly self evident when the situation is viewed objectively though. I will say that music became a huge part of the counter-culture, and as such it was divided up, commoditised, controlled, homogonized and ultimately devalued. I could go all Chomsky on you along those lines...
I saw Thriller when it came out. Watched it with a bunch of rockers and we all raved about it. Fortunately it was a time when good music was recognised by all, regardless of genre. Pop, rock, soul, RnB, blues, avant garde, new wave, new romantic, ska, jazz, fusion, classical, whatever - we listened, watched and enjoyed it all and most of it could be heard on the radio.