How many “loyal” fans do musicians need to have to make a living from music?
Of course, it's impossible to say exactly, as it also depends on what the consumer should/has to pay to listen to their music. Not to mention radio or advertising revenue on the internet or elsewhere. But, roughly speaking, I'd be interested to know how many fans are willing to buy albums, individual tracks—stream them, for example—attend concerts, buy merchandise, or buy special albums with "reissues" so that the band/artist earns enough to be able to live off the music.
You can’t answer that. But the crisp point should be who the rights of the music belong to.The lion’s share is the songwriter and the producer. Those who only wear the music must make themselves quite long.
No one can live by the love of the fans alone!
Also painters, musicians, sculptors and writers must plant their works, sell to earn money.
Nobody says anything else here.
This does not answer the question in the least.