UK Pop: too Posh?

[Long Live Life]

A recent BBC article asks if UK Pop has gone too "posh":

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9373000/9373158.stm

 

"The majority of pop musicians are now privately educated, or went to stage school, according to Word magazine. Does the rise of Lily Allen, Florence Welch, Chris Martin and the like spell the end of working class pop?"

 

Pete Watermann ('80s pop producer) says :

 

"This has been a gripe I've had for over 20 years, and particularly right now. It's never been worse," he says.

 

"The major companies dominate and they see a CV and if you haven't got 96 O levels you ain't getting a job."

 

Even James Blunt's mother (bless!) has got in on the story, complaining of the abuse her son receives in the UK:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12308068

 

In an e-mail to the programme, Mrs Blount said: "I was most interested to hear Pete Waterman's thoughts on public school rock stars.

 

"His attitude is reflected by most of the critics in the UK. My son James Blunt, who is hugely appreciated worldwide, receives harsh criticism here and we have, rather sadly, been aware that it is because of his background.

 

"We are relieved that on the whole James's fanbase take no notice of the critics."

 

She went on to say that his latest album, Stay the Night, "is doing so well around the world".

 

 

This story illustrates that even in the 21st century, the UK is still obsessed with class and backgrounds. This affects people's attitudes towards Coldplay too - there are many in the UK out there who don't like them because of their "middle class" background or perceived "poshness" (anyone who knows them properly knows how grounded the band are).

 

What about Pete Watermann's remarks? Is what he is saying about the music industry true though about qualifications on CVs being a pre-requisite nowadays to being seen by a record label? Or is he just talking rubbish?

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

The likes of Chris Martin and co aren't successful in the music industry because they were educated privately and went to high class universities, in the case of Chris Martin and the whole of Coldplay a VERY high class university. It has absolutely nothing to do with this and everything to do with making good, accessible music for everyone.

[Long Live Life]

The likes of Chris Martin and co aren't successful in the music industry because they were educated privately and went to high class universities, in the case of Chris Martin and the whole of Coldplay a VERY high class university. It has absolutely nothing to do with this and everything to do with making good, accessible music for everyone.

 

I agree with everything you say. Chris is phenomenally intelligent and a fanstastic songwriter.

 

The question was - why does background matter so much in the UK still, when it clearly does not in the US? And secondly, is it true great musicians are being turned away for not having a good CV - on a subject matter completely unrelated to music?

 

We get so much wrong in the UK; judging people based on pre-conceived ideas based on their backgroud and class is one of them.

[SueDeNimes]

Isn't that a thread for WoM instead of CP section?

Phil, if you agree I'll move it.

[Long Live Life]

Isn't that a thread for WoM instead of CP section?

Phil, if you agree I'll move it.

 

ok move it!