If The Beatles Couldn’t Make It, Something’s Wrong.
I find this kind of thinking rather disconcerting—misleading even. Yesterday, I stumbled across a story in my Google Alerts titled, “Would Beatles make it in today's music world?” Normally, I greet such questions with murmured swear words, because of all the things that are important in the public discourse surrounding the record and music industries at the moment; this feels like the last question that we should fretting over. But, I guess choice and cultural theory just isn't for everyone. Yes, the Beetles are very important cultural icons, whom are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. But, are they really the only measuring stick we can use? I understand that the angle of the story may have less to do with trying to answer the grand question as much as it was a safe perspective to write about the plight of the record industry in the digital age from, but still.
When Michael Jackson died, similar questions were asked. Was MJ the last remaining global pop star? Is this the end of the blockbuster era? In the current chaos that is the climate of the cultural industries in general, I’m happy to report that the conclusion of the piece asserts that yes, talent trumps all and the Beatles could’ve “theoretically” made it today.
Where art thou Nathan Harden? I guess, just maybe, that the wired generation didn’t kill rock n’ rock – good riddance, someone else agrees. – Kyle Bylin
I think it is indeed important to look at the machines in place that fund, promote and distribute music. Only the few have access to the real pipelines.
The long term investment in artists is gone and many of today’s icons had a rough start or a start that ignited from situations that no longer exist and would have been dropped.
If talent does trump all how do you explain kind of garbage being pushed out daily? Money trumps all, followed by hype and context. At its roots, Music is an art and not a product, but we only invest in products.
If the Beatles got on a reality show and John won American Idol, winning over Mick Jagger maybe then they would make it today.
i agree, the beetles are very important cultural icons.
The reason the Beatles would not make it today can be attributed to TV (No Ed Sullivan), The largest potential market was teenagers (Baby Boomers) with their parents money in the early 60s. Album release schedules that are now two to four plus years apart. But the most important thing is no Hamburg to play experiment and fail and learn from.