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Where would Groban fans be without the Internet?
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Leonard Kleinrock demonstrates how the first Internet communication
was made at UCLA(AP Photo/Damien Dovarganes)
The internet celebrated its 40th anniversary on Oct 29. UCLA’s school of Engineering, the birthplace of the internet, invited a group of panelists to discuss the influence of the internet on pop culture. One of the panelists, John Taylor, bass player for Duran Duran, expressed his disdain for the internet’s influence on the music world. “It’s killing creativity and new music. “ he told the audience. Taylor recounted story of being a teen back in the early 70's and being smitten by the first time he heard a great new song by Roxy Music on TV. He called it "the power of the first strike." He had to find a record store that had the album and then ride his bike to the next town to buy it. It was the thrill of the chase. That thrill is now gone according to Taylor.
Duran Duran, from left, Simon LeBon, Roger Taylor,
Nick Rhodes and John Taylor (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)
Taylor does have a point in the thrill of the chase. Now it may not be so difficult to get that Josh Groban album or see his TV appearances (thanks to sites like YouTube and ThatJoshGrobanGuy). However, for most music fans, and Josh Groban fans in particular, there is still the excitement of meeting the artist face to face and getting that coveted photo and autograph. Instead of bike riding to the next town to get an album, Grobanites are road-tripping to the next state to see their idol perform live. Some just live vicariously through their fortunate friends who have the means to attend these performances and share their stories and photos on the message boards. If Taylor loved Roxy Music today as much as he did then, surely he would have maybe spent hours on the Internet searching for audio, and video. Taylor pointed out the loss of artistry in the album cover art, and lyric books because of fans simply downloading only the mp3s. Gone is the quest for rare limited import editions that Taylor still seeks. This is not entirely true. Most Grobanites want the lyrics and the album art, if not only for the dreamy photos of the singer himself. Limited edition and fan-club only CDs and videos are still around and in demand. Die-hard fans like to own originals.
Taylor discussed his stepson’s interest in Cole Porter, thanks to the Internet. He talked about how the youth of today is turning to older music instead of listening to current music. He lamented, “And the speed and growth of new technology, which has been so heralded and so much fuss has been made of, has actually served to disguise how little real growth is taking place at the artistic level.” Musicians have to study the history of music in order to refine their craft. It’s nice to see the younger generation going back to older music. Groban has recorded many songs of past generations and renewed a spark in them. What’s old becomes new again. It’s not just Groban; many other artists have done the same. Taylor shouldn’t complain. He has scores of fans digging up videos and reliving their past and probably making new fans thanks to the Internet. This most likely would not have been the case if young listeners were only listening to their current album. August 29 was even declared Duran Duran Appreciation Day.
So has the Internet spoiled the fun? Not really. Yes, the stars can record their every thought and meal on Twitter. Staying up late to watch something one time does create an element of excitement and anticipation that is lacking with on-demand video. But does that really make fans become disinterested in the artist quicker as Taylor claims he would have?
For Josh Groban, the Internet actually helped his career, His fans were able to bond together across the world and “spread the josh” through his website. MySpace and iTunes that helped spread Groban’s music and many others. It’s taken the place of radio to find new and exciting music. Radio has been decimated. Very few stations play a variety of new artists. The radio industry is now controlled by monopolies such as Clear Channel that have destroyed the local radio market in lieu of nationally broadcast shows. Groban never would have made it if he depended on radio alone as many artists had decades earlier. Television and the Internet helped, him not hurt. Yes, some money was lost by people downloading songs for free. However a percentage of those may have never heard him if not for the free download. Many later become paying fans of his music.
So what are your thoughts on the Internet’s effect of music? Where did you first experience “the power of the initial strike” from Josh Groban?
For more info: Watch John's Taylor's speech.
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