Over the last two/three? weeks I have watched Glastonbury and the Baz Lurman film Elvis. I was and remain no fan of Elvis nor many of the bands from the 60s and 70s - can't stand Cohen., Tom Jones isn't for me and I liked the Stones not Beatles. I like Springstein (Independence Day touched a raw nerve and has an amazing Saxaphone break) and
My home town is acutely observed, really like Joni Mitchell and much of Dylan.
This is worth a read IMHO - the historian in me wanting to put things in context. Am I reading too much into things to see Trump and u-know-what through that prism?
MHT lyrics
Very similar (ish) to my own historical events from my younger days.
Being from my area, the clamour for anything from the fab four (five plus epstein) was made hysteria unrestrained. Everyone around had a story of one's relationship to their cousins friend, doctor's dentist or goldfish, parrot who was in their social circle, I know someone who went to church with one of them etc!
But I wasn't swayed, due to my own taste of tunes, I discovered young, the best of the late fifties rhythm and blues. Soul was my saviour from British attempts of replicating the sound including the Beatles and many, many more. Indeed, who had heard of Jackie Wilson?
The new lables, stax, chess, capitol, and of course Motown. Not any of my school class had heard of them! Not even, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and the Tamla greats.
My hero for his contribution to the music scene was William Smokey Robinson. An unbelievable talent for singing, writing lyrics, music, production and promotion of some memorable young talent! And what songs, production they were. Dylan described him of the Twentieth century best poet and lyric writer. My own Lamont D. Is in honour of one of Motowns legendary songwriters.
My misspent youth was attending anything like discos, concerts, or on a night out. I have been to many nights of soul, northern soul, motown, funk, disco and the like. If you haven't been Top Ranking. I sympathise! Or an all nighter!
I dislike commercial made up music to suit popular culture. Such as britpop, heavy metal, country and especially western. Folk is not my cuppa, but some modern variations are acceptable and my playlist is massive, with over 7000 tunes. There is so much talent but are ruined by modern greed of music companies.
My home town has had its superstars in the past, but it does seem you have to be in the capital or introduced to some music mogul to get heard!