With the advent of the Internet and the amazing availability of music these days a lot of people are talking about the death of "music," or the death of "good music" or artists with longevity...or...the...death of something. Keene thinks it's devolving into a mess of amateur musicians. Mouse suggests near the end of a recent post that somehow the plethora of good musicians and their ability to actually distribute and promote via the Interwebs has some how devalued the music. I don't agree with either assessment. Keene places too much importance on expertise without acknowledging that all experts were once amateurs. And both he and Mouse seem to speak about "value" in monetary terms and while money may be a benchmark and indicator of success, I don't think it's an indicator of "value" and it's almost never an indicator of integrity. So when I hear of the death of the "Rock Star," I smile. I like the idea.
There's a theory that when a writer gets too big they sort of let themselves go. Publishers don't see the need to edit them as rigorously as they would with a newer author...and the work suffers. At best it's uneven, at worst...well, it's an embarrassment. I think the same sort of thing happens with big music stars. I saw Bruce Springsteen in concert years ago and, really, I was embarrassed to be there. I mean sure he was playing to the audience (middle-aged women who still think The Boss is dreamy) but he struck me as rather lounge lizard-esque in his antics. Still Magic redeems him in my eyes...
Getting back to the point. A musician's music and artistry tends to suffer when they get big. They get caught up in "The Life," in all the trials and tribulations that celebrity and wild success bring. They burn out and/or forget why they started playing, content to phone in performances and churn out substandard pap for the masses. I also think that once you get big, you lose touch with the common man, the common fan. If you live in a 9 million dollar house, can you sing the blues with authority or still consider yourself some flavor of punk rock?
So if this concept of the "Rock Star!!!" dies what are we left with? I'd like to think it's the professional musician. Artists who're well respected by peers and fans alike. Who can make a decent living doing what they love, playing music. They play because they love to, because they have to, because they can't comprehend not making music. They continue to tour because the live show experience is something that can't be copied, reproduced, or stolen. Musicians keep putting out CDs to promote themselves, their live show, and to well, to make money.
And that's where the rest of us come in. As fans, as music lovers, as the audience, we're here to not only enjoy and be entertained, we're also here to support and enable. It's our duty and responsibility to make sure the musicians we dig can pay the bills by making music. Go to shows. Buy albums. Buy merch. Talk, write, blog about what you like. Share what you love what you're enthusiastic about with others.
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2 comments:
i have to agree. there are no artist coming out that will fill big venues anymore. the days of 'arena rock' or the 'arena group' are dead and gone. no one group anymore is able to fill them up. due to the fact that we as the listener have many more choices of groups/music as a whole. no one artist is able to do that. i remember, about fifteen years ago, pink floyd played the old stadium in cleveland. that will never happen again where one band is able to play to that large of a crowd. now there a country guy coming, but he's coming with a slew of bands.
the great iron maiden is coming to blossom this summer, but there are no new bands that warrant such a venue.
and, maybe we are (the listener) keeping the band more 'real', because now they really have to work to keep us around, and buying their music.
and besides...was arena rock really that great to begin with? i mean, come on, going to such a venue, it was really a poor experience. the sound was often crappy. forget going to the pisser. how many of you have stories about that one? i could go on.
but give me the little venues, great sound, great music any day...
now work you bastards to make music that i will buy...
Right on, ockham! I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite musicians of all time the other night in a little dump.... a little dump with great acoustics, that is. It was wonderful! I haven't been in a huge arena to see a show in may years and I have to say that I don't miss it one bit.
I think there are several things going on here, one of which is the fact that many times a musician isn't given the kudos they deserve because they live a quiet, unassuming life. Take guitarist Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, for instance. Martin is an amazing guitarist who has been playing since the late 60's but I'd wager that most people have never heard his name. Martin is a family man who never took drugs or wanted fame in any way. To hear him talk on an interview is mind blowing because you rarely hear him say anything! I recently spoke with John Wesley from Porcupine Tree who told me that Martin is one of the most respected guitarists in the biz, despite all of this. So he's respected among his peers but isn't 'famous' in the way lesser guitarists are by virtue of his unassuming personality.
More decent musicians are coming out of the woodwork thanks to the internet, hence sort of diluting the mystique surrounding 'rock stars'. Same thing can be said for writers and photographers, the hubby and I were just discussing this very thing the other day. It's not that the 'pros' have more talent necessarily, it's just that they get paid. There are a lot of talented folk out there, it's great to see a new diversity in all of these things.
So the question is... do you miss those days of the stadium shows and the huge rock stars who lose themselves in their excesses? I sure don't, I'd rather listen and follow someone with talent, no matter how unknown they may be.
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