“Crazy Train” just got a 4x Platinum award in the U.S. And my favourite track “Mr Crowley” also achieved a Gold certification in the U.S.
People are still listening.
These songs didn’t top any chart nor did they get extensive radio play. I don’t think they even got a proper single release.
They are album cuts and the popularity of these songs is due to the fans.
Metal fans are the most loyal. We are the ones that still like to buy because we are completists. The collection needs to be complete.
And Data is the new recording business.
Streaming services will tell the artist how many listens and in which cities and countries.
280+ million streams on Spotify for “Crazy Train”. Add in the counts from other streaming services and the number will keep getting bigger.
It’s taken a long time but it’s happening.
Expect to see more old songs and favorite album cuts rise to the top.
destroyerofharmony 
40 year old song and Crazy Train lives on! Power of rock. Your right about us hard rock fans being completist’s.
It’s a sickness to be a completist. Lol.
Good kind of sickness to have
That song has only improved with age. It is like a fine wine! Based on my collection, I don’t know if I’m a completist with every artist, but I have my fair share.
I was a completist but with so much live product coming out from bands I’ve decided I ain’t going down that path with all those live release.
Whitesnake is one that comes to mind.
I’m the same on Whitesnake. I have several live albums, but missing a bunch. Too many!
Then there’s AC and Maiden live albums that I don’t have.