Would artists like Elton john make it today
Discussion
That's a good question. I think his distinctive voice will have the same appeal it always had but if he launched with the same songs he would sound old fashioned because, well, his influence on popular music is already there now, I can't imagine how music would sound now if he hadn't been around yet, but he wouldn't sound original.
In reality, I would think that it is about the voice / talent and the desire, which are both as relevant now as they were in the '70s. His music is a product of its time, if he hit the industry now instead, the music would be a product of modern influences instead and will sound a lot different.
IMO he would have as much chance of breaking now as he did in his time, the songs would simply match the era but would have the same appeal because of the voice (and the same goes for Bernie's lyrics IMO. Same appeal / message but up to date phrasing and stuff.)
That's my opinion.
In reality, I would think that it is about the voice / talent and the desire, which are both as relevant now as they were in the '70s. His music is a product of its time, if he hit the industry now instead, the music would be a product of modern influences instead and will sound a lot different.
IMO he would have as much chance of breaking now as he did in his time, the songs would simply match the era but would have the same appeal because of the voice (and the same goes for Bernie's lyrics IMO. Same appeal / message but up to date phrasing and stuff.)
That's my opinion.
Like most artists, they are of their time but some are capable of reinventing themselves,U2,Madonna,Coldplay, Adam Ant, no not Adam Ant. While others disappear artist like EJ continue, so really the question should be, what is the secret of his longevity, the closest act to EJ in recent times would be the Scissor Sisters, very EJ, I think artists like Elton John would make it today on the basis that EJ has always remained mainstream, getting that first record heard and it being a hit is another story.
soad said:
I doubt it.
Did he release anything recently?
yes he did, - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_BoardDid he release anything recently?
I think if someone like Elton was just starting today then he would make it , as he has a far superior talent compared to a lot of todays artists.
Supernova190188 said:
yes he did, - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_Board
I think if someone like Elton was just starting today then he would make it , as he has a far superior talent compared to a lot of todays artists.
That's exactly the point. It's not about talent now. It's about marketing and looks.I think if someone like Elton was just starting today then he would make it , as he has a far superior talent compared to a lot of todays artists.
Elderly said:
I remember going to see The Who at the Roundhouse in about 1970;
Elton John (before he was a solo act?) was the support.
I thought at the time that he was rather good and would go far .........
........ don't ask me what I thought of him in later years
.
What were the who like? Would have loved to have seen them play live!Elton John (before he was a solo act?) was the support.
I thought at the time that he was rather good and would go far .........
........ don't ask me what I thought of him in later years
.militantmandy said:
That's exactly the point. It's not about talent now. It's about marketing and looks.
I think it's always been about marketing, and looks, and talent. Pop music is business. Someone earlier mentioned the Scissor Sisters, and that's a good point. That's a very Elton John sound that also happened to me modern, and there's the fact of course that Elton himself managed to span at least two decades in the mainstream speaks volumes about his own ability to adapt. If he was 20 now, he'd be a great, marketable voice, producing pop songs for the modern time. He'd do exactly what he did. It would just sound different.If Elton were 19/20 today and released Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Rd, Rocket Man etc they would be huge hits. Songs like that are timeless. My kids are 17 & 15 and both like Elton's early stuff. And the school did Crocodile Rock in a show recently, with a girl of about 13 bashing it out on the piano.
Only last week I came home from work and my eldest had Benny & The Jets playing upstairs.
Only last week I came home from work and my eldest had Benny & The Jets playing upstairs.
Bebee said:
Like most artists, they are of their time but some are capable of reinventing themselves, Coldplay...
I don't think he'd make it today. Yes some of his songs are timeless, but that doesn't mean they could be released TODAY and have the same impact.
The public wants what the public gets these days and that's manufactured drivel. It's much harder for artists to make it these days as it's much easier for people to find the music they like because of the internet. I can go on YouTube now and listen to hundreds of different artists in a short space of time & make a snap decision on whether or not I like them, that wasn't possible back when EJ first appeared. It's a lot harder to stand out from the crowd today. That's why record companies are quite happy to just add to that crowd. They know it works.
It's not that he's not talented enough to make it, it's just getting a foot in the door. I know an A&R for EMI and 99% of demo CDs get put into the bin without ever getting listened to.
There are many, many talented people who never make it, as they don't get a break. It's luck that rises to the top, not cream.
There are many, many talented people who never make it, as they don't get a break. It's luck that rises to the top, not cream.
Centurion07 said:
Bebee said:
Like most artists, they are of their time but some are capable of reinventing themselves, Coldplay...
Coldplay, to expand:
Chris was a shy 'stay behind the mic' performer when Coldplay started out, after a few years of hit tracks and number one albums they took a break, I remember Chris stating the reason for this break was to prevent the world from getting sick of them, and he sick of the band, for most bands taking this length of time out would have meant the end of them but Coldplay came back with a new look, a more confident Chris who by now started to hold the mic and come out front, rather like Bono does, with new tracks, new look and a new sound, therefore reinventing themselves. They are the kind of band that can do that, and I suspect will continue to do so.
If Elton John had have continued writing them same way as his first album 'Elton John', and not started wearing outlandish clobber (large glasses being one of them) then that would have been it for him in the early 70's.
GetCarter said:
It's not that he's not talented enough to make it, it's just getting a foot in the door. I know an A&R for EMI and 99% of demo CDs get put into the bin without ever getting listened to.
There are many, many talented people who never make it, as they don't get a break. It's luck that rises to the top, not cream.
I could not agree more, the business of binning the demo has always been the case though, if you have created some news for A&R to have heard of you, then you might get that demo heard, getting yourself in the press was always a good way, even if the stores reported was false, a fight with an MP or something. An A&R guy from Polydor, Baz Barrow, confirmed these tricks of the trade in the early 90's.There are many, many talented people who never make it, as they don't get a break. It's luck that rises to the top, not cream.
He wouldn't sign my band, not bitter or owt.............
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