Music on Television

[Soot and Stars]

Well, it seems the 'artists' with a colorful backstory are moved to the front of the line. I don't get why it is at all important what a musician's favorite color is, or his views on politics or how hard of a life he had before making it big. Apparently this is of paramount importence to people following the music business.

I hope that answered your question.

I think that applies mostly to the reality shows Khor where they do emphasize the backstory for televised drama. Not quite in agreeance when it comes to modern artist outside of that though I'll give you that the media digs up dirt on even the most minor celebrities in any form of entertainment now. If you are talking pop stars then that corny information of favorite color and food goes all the way back to the teen idols like Bobby Sherman, Leif Garrett, David Cassidy, etc. They had those Teen Beat and Tiger Beat magazines all the way back then. I think you'd be surprised at how much of a career artists start out with before their big break now. A lot, even if they didn't have albums out already had at least worked as producers and songwriters first before their big break.

 

[Khor1255]

I yeah, I'm certainly not saying any of this is anything new. However, people having their whole careers built on what they do outside of music was the exception rather than the norm. The alternative is believing that given a choice people would actually prefer today's garbage to what a lot of virtually unknown people are doing that has some musical value.

I respect the human race too much to entertain that notion with any seriousness.

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

Perhaps Khor means more along the lines of the media sensationalizing that's going on with the scandals, breakdowns (think Britney) and the wacky outfits and lifestyles that most modern celebrities tend to drum up for publicity and intrigue in their newest projects.

Then you have artists like Adele who can simply come out in a simple black dress with little more than a mic and a chair and leave the aforementioned dumbfounded.

Artists like her give me hope for the "new" generation of music.

 

[Soot and Stars]

I yeah, I'm certainly not saying any of this is anything new. However, people having their whole careers built on what they do outside of music was the exception rather than the norm. The alternative is believing that given a choice people would actually prefer today's garbage to what a lot of virtually unknown people are doing that has some musical value.

I respect the human race too much to entertain that notion with any seriousness.

It's always my goal to hear those virtual unknowns! Listening to popular stuff has never stopped me from that but even today's pop artist have cut their teeth in one way or another. If a band is good enough they have a great shot at at least an Independent and plenty of sites spotlight Independent artist so there music is heard easily enough. I love and respect the fact that you like to dig further like I do. With the internet we can do that and these bands get to create their music further because of us. What other peoples choices are doesn't bother me though. Most people listen to music to escape and honestly pop is the best escapist music. Me, while I enjoy that escapism, get even more by something with a little more depth and emotion that rock and folk provide. The majority will always pick simpler, lighter fare but we still get our type of bands with todays options. I don't think we are at too much of a loss!

 

[Khor1255]

A good deal of today's artists would have been considered over night sensations by standards of even 20 or 30 years ago. A musician usually had to cut his teeth in front of a live audience or have considerable experience in some facet of the music industry to make it.

Yes, there were exceptions, but people with mariginal experience but a certain look or attitude (political belief, back story, etc) were the exceptions rather than the rule.

 

[TheSound]

There really hasn't been anything on British TV for serious rock music fans since The Old Grey Whistle Test finished, probably the only music show I watch now when I'm in the UK is Later With Jules Holland on BBC, which is just brilliant, it's an hour of live music each week, and very varied, anything from heavy rock to folk and dance, he has over the years had just about anyone who is anyone in rock as guests on his show...

List of Later... with Jools Holland episodes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here's a few great examples...