Brit Music Scene

Elton John Thinks Internet Is Bad For The Music Scene | He Also Hates Bloggers

by Dave Parrack on August 4th, 2007

Elton John, that bastion of the British Music Scene for 30 years thinks that the Internet is bad for music, and stops people creating stuff. The gay pop star and hissy fit diva also called for people to stop blogging, and get out and communicate with each other. Ermmm hello Elton, I probably talk to more people through and because of my blogs than at any other time through my life.

The 60 year old ‘Candle in the Wind’ singer told The Sun newspaper:-

“The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK bit it doesn’t bode well for long-term artistic vision. It’s just a means to an end.”

“We’re talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that’s not going to happen with people blogging on the internet. I mean, get out there, communicate. Hopefully the next movement will tear down the internet.”

“Let’s get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging. I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. There’s too much technology available. I’m sure as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting that it is today.“

I diasgree with pretty much everything the old duffer says. While I agree with his view that getting rid of the Internet for 5 years would be an amazing experiment, it would be neither a successful one or good for the majority of us. I, for one do a lot of things online, including earning a living (of sorts).

And as for creativity being stifled by the presence of the Internet, who is he trying to kid? Tell that to Lily Allen and Kate Nash, expected to be number 1 in the UK charts this week. Both artists started plying their trade on the Internet, using resources such as MySpace to get their material out there in to the ether.

Since when has having the ability to stay at home and make your own records a bad thing? That’s creativity in the purest sense of the word, with people not having to wait to be spotted by a record label or scout to build a fan base and gain success.

Maybe Elton John should instead direct his verbal anguish against things like Pop Idol, and The X-Factor, which fools gullible youngsters in to believing they’re going to have a long career, when in fact we all forget about them after they’ve secured Christmas number 1 for Simon Cowell and his cohorts.

Or maybe I’m just bitter because he slated bloggers and I am one. Nah, couldn’t be that could it?

Share This

Related Stories

Has Elton John Made His Last Album? | British Singer Too Busy With Other Projects
Why The Sex Pistols Should Now Retire
Brit Music Scene | An Introduction
b5 Music Bloggers Share Their Soundtracks For A Day - Variety Is The Spice Of Life
b5 Music Channel Launches! | Win an iPod!

POSTED IN: Elton John, Industry, News, Op Ed, Pop