Our
View: Times are a-changin' — musicians
sell out
Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Dylan and The Doors have many things in common. They
all were revolutionaries who in the ’60s and ’70s became the representatives
of counter culture.
They defied the attitudes from previous generations. They
sang about taboo subjects earlier musicians never would have dared to explore,
all the good stuff like drugs and sex, for example.
Now these artists all have something else in common. They are all trying to extend
the profitability of their music by selling their songs to major corporations
like Apple Computers Inc. and Kaiser Permanente.
Despite the pervasiveness of selling music to big businesses, there are some
artists who wish to maintain the integrity of their music and refuse to allow
corporate America to violate their art.
John Densmore, the former Doors drummer,
is one of the few talents who denies large companies the opportunity to use his
music to sell products.
Densmore has fought passionately to protect his music,
and has even created a deep rift between him and former band mates Ray Manzarek
and Robbie Krieger, who have waged battle with
Densmore repeatedly in the courtroom for the right to sell their music.
The Doors’ music touched many people in the ’60s and ’70s and
decades after they stopped performing. Their music has the unique quality of
being poetic, rich with imagery and even spiritually moving. Each member perfected
his craft to an art. The Doors’ songs are about death, love and exploration.
It is inconceivable that a band like The Doors would ever consider using their
music to sell deodorant or computers.
Sadly, other monumental bands could not resist the temptations corporate companies
offered. Bands that once urged people to fight “the man” and be free
thinkers are now using their music to push products.
Corporations are using these
bands to exploit peoples’ feelings of nostalgia and ultimately trying to
profit.
The motivation of these sell-out bands can be seen as a logical business strategy.
These bands were most popular decades ago and have not been able to achieve the
same record sales they once had.
Also, the development of file sharing has significantly
contributed to the reduction of albums being bought.
Many people prefer downloading
songs rather than buying CDs. The disappointment many fans have with classic
rocker’s comes from the fact that these musicians would rather line their
pockets than be true to their message.
The music that once inspired a generation of people to contradict “the
establishment” is now contributing to its empowerment. Vintage music was
once thought to be a priceless art, beyond money’s persuasion. Music is
created and performed mainly to inspire people and generate change, not generate
profit.
It is truly a pity that some of the most influential music of this century has
been tainted with hypocrisy. Thankfully, there are still those who would rather
endure the criticism of their contemporaries than sell out. It is these few gems
that preserve the quality and integrity of music. Dylan was right. The times,
they are a-changin’.
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