Question of the Day - May 8, 2009

TheHolodigm.com

WILL YOU LOVE ME WHEN I'M SIXTY-FOUR?

gmoss2 asks:

Do you think that there is music today in the pop culture that will be as enduring as some of the classic rock artists from the 60s and 70s? Will kids and adults be listening to artists of today, 30 to 40 years from now, the same way we listen to the groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones?

Hartmann responds:

Pop in this context stands for popular and every generation chooses a musical hero. Since The Music Renaissance exposes more genres to more people, it is reasonable to assume that the historical trajectory will continue along the same path. So in the tradition of The Great Caruso, Rudy Valli, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles and Tupac Shakur it only stands to reason that a new superstar will emerge from a new genre. Electronica seems to be at the cutting edge of just such a movement. It has been an underground phenomenon for a decade. What it will take to survive and become ubiquitous is a superstar. Lady GaGa seems to be using some of the electronic elements along with rap and pop ingredients. This form of hybrid artist could create a lot of excitement although electronica purists may not approve. She is one of the few new artists approaching platinum sales. Major music movements usually have a strong dance quotient and are often drug driven so the fans can dance all night behind the artificial stimulation. This makes it all quite dangerous and there is usually a strong resistance to the movement from parents and political forces. This feeds into the rebellious attitude of the youth who are rejecting their parents music to choose their own identity. This cycle has been going on for over 100 years and is not likely to stop because of the Internet. As a matter of fact it will probably be bigger than ever when the Avatar arrives. This artist could become permanently a part of the music the fans would carry with them for life. Like how it is always a good feeling for me to hear any Elvis song or a tune by The Beatles.