"Groups are corporations now. They have pension plans. Musicians have saw the daylight"

John Lee Hooker’s reflection touches on the transformation of the music industry, emphasizing the ways in which groups and musicians have evolved from informal collectives into structured, organized entities. Describing groups as "corporations now", he alludes to the professionalization and corporatization of bands and musical acts. Unlike the past, when musicians might have worked gig to gig or survived on uncertain incomes, many major groups developed into business-like organizations with clear hierarchies, contracts, and long-term planning.

The mention of "pension plans" drives home the idea that music has become a livelihood akin to more traditional careers, including safeguards for the future. Pensions are typically associated with stable, long-term employment; Hooker’s observation suggests that successful groups are not just thinking about immediate earnings, but also the welfare of their members over the long haul. There’s a respectability and seriousness accorded to their profession that might have been absent in earlier eras when musicians had little security. The music business is no longer solely the domain of youthful rebellion or fly-by-night operations, but can offer the kind of retirement planning and benefits usually reserved for corporate jobs.

When Hooker says "musicians have saw the daylight", he acknowledges the enlightenment and empowerment of artists. They have become aware of their value, their rights, and the business mechanics surrounding their craft. Where once many may have been exploited or kept in the dark about finances and contracts, now more musicians are assertive and proactive, leveraging greater knowledge and organizational resources to safeguard their interests.

This transition speaks to broader changes in culture and economy, where the lines between artistry and business have blurred. The shift has enabled musicians to seek careers with dignity, sustainability, and self-determination, ensuring that their talents are both respected and protected for the future.