Over the past year, while doing research for The New Rockstar Philosophy book, we’ve had a chance to speak with some very talented and knowledgeable people.
One of the standard questions I’ve asked is; in our internet age “will there be a band as successful as The Beatles?” A band that the majority of the world can get behind and in doing so raise up the band as more then a band. A band that becomes a cultural beacon of light. A band so big, so important, that everyone takes notice. Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson have arguably reached that point, but few since then, have captured the world.
Most of the people we’ve interviewed have said that because of the fracturing mainstream market, there will never be a band that hits like The Beatles. The niches of the world will have their superstars, but there wont be one band/artist that unites the world under their music.
I realize there were many reasons The Beatles hit so hard and so big (10,000 hours of practice, a new sound, changing social mores, the death of Kennedy, etc.,). But I believe that today there can be an artist that hits the world like The Beatles once did. I believe this because I believe in the power of music.
Never in my life has the time felt so ripe for a new music star. Mainstream music has been watered down. The mainstream arguably doesn’t even exist because the rising tide of mediocrity has turned so many people away. People are looking for something to unite them. The advent of social networks only proves this point. Everyone wants to feel connected to something and music is one of the greatest connectors because its an intensely personal experience.
Finally, the biggest reason I think an artist could hit like The Beatles once did, is because of the internet. The internet has that power. The power to spread good things so quickly that it boggles the mind. The power to create stars out of nothing. If the music is there the world will listen. I’m ready for the next true global superstar, and the great thing is that it could be anyone, even you.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppuqkh7oaNI]Take Control of Your Music
Voyno
7 Comments
Pery, I’m from Brazil and I can assure that Yellow Submarine is not the only Beatles song Brazilian people know and I can assure you even more that Queen is nowehere near being seen in my country as in the same league as The Beatles, neither in terms of impact generated nor in terms of musical quality. Queen influenced nobdy, compared to The Beatles, who pretty much changed the face of the planet (they defenitely are the biggest responsibles for the existance of the greatest Brazilian artists in the last 50 years, namely Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Os Mutantes and so on and on and on…).
You think Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson reached the same status in terms of cultural and social impact and even musical accomplishments? They don’t come even close! Nobody does, not even Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones combined would achieve what The Beatles achieved.
You just killed your whole post after you said that.
queen?
beatles were massive in america and britain, not the world
a recent conversation with portuguese and spanish reveals that yellow submarine is the only beatles song which they all know
queen were big in america for 2 or 3 years the beatles for 8
however, since then the americans are the most fanatic queen fans (fanatic fans?)
i met 30 of them on freddie mercury’s birthday in earls court london
they came from america just to visit his flat
i also direct italian tourists to his house
do people visit john lennon’s house this way?
yes the beatles were excellent and alot of the their music stands the test of time
yes better bands listened to them and then made much better music
i got a train this morning so the train company can claim my music? no
all of the beatles made good 70s solo albums and none of them were as good as
led zepplin, pink floyd, queen, thin lizzy, the eagles, micheal jackson
the beatles were bedroom song writers
the absolute best
they did not have the natural vocal talent or guitar abilities of the later bands
its like comparing oasis to manic street preachers
sure we love oasis, but lyrically, vocally, variety and guitar god wise manics win everytime
Interesting points Pery. I recently purchased Queens Live at the Bowl and its really unbelievable how talented Queen is. Thanks for the reminder!
yup, a definite no.
And a good thing too, because a second Beatles might mean a second Paul McCartney and one of them is one too many.
The answer: No!
ha! awwesome.