Why do the worst musicians become popular?

Question

i hate mainstream music, but i've always wonered why its actually considered "good". can someone please explain to me why this is?

Answer 1

"popular" and "musicianship" are definitely not the same thing. some of the finest musicians to walk the planet were not considered very popular, while some of the popular ones cannot legitimately call themselves musicians. they're "entertainers". just like many other things, we're told what to think, then battered with pressure to conform to that view. good for you for holding onto your individual taste.

Answer 2

I think it is an old debate. Even the most "more alternative than thou" groups dream with a big deal to become popular.

By the guy, any person who has had a band or has been in the business for some time now that basically everything is commercial, a company has to launch a lot of band to make money just of one or two. Some executive told me once that basically you have to launch 20 groups to make money only from 3 who are going to make it.


Everybody believes that they are going to be the next Stones... and they are lucky if they can get a gig in the summer between jobs.

Music exists because there is money in it. Even Mozart was living off kings and princes. Now they live of teenagers.

Answer 3

They become popular because people have no taste, or poor taste at least in music. Witness the popularity of Paris Hilton, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Britney Spears and all the other non-talents who hit the top of the charts. And of course, hype has a lot to do with it as well. If a good press agent can hype someone enough and get them enough exposure they can sound like two cats fighting and hit the top of the charts!

Answer 4

How do these people even get the title of 'musician'? Who is rating these people to have someone who screams and yell be called a musician?? I think there are a bunch of deaf talent scouts out there recruiting these non sense screamers so their promotions department can be tested to see what can be done with such no talent individuals. If the said no talents become successful, the folks in the promo department get a bonus. Otherwise, I see no logic in it at all. Good question!!!

Answer 5

It's b/c the average person has bad taste in music IMO. That and the fact that society is obsessed with "normal". They all want the latest hairstyle or trend no matter how lame it is, and it's the same with music. They're scared to be the odd man out or perceived as being different. If the music they listen to is "safe" and normal, they keep from falling into a strange category like "punk" or "metalhead" etc.

Answer 6

I think most bad musicians who really lack a sense of style become popular because the record company knows they can change them into whatever they need and then just dupe them later when it doesnt work out. And the bad musician enjoys being told how great he is . In short I would say lack of a definite style and often times low integrity.

Answer 7

These "musicians" get popular off their marketing talent and not their musical talent. People like them because they look good (they don'y actually look good but TV says they do so that's what people think) not because they can sing, play or write music.
Also, a lot of people don't know anything about music theory so they don't notice when a band doesn't either.

Answer 8

Why the worst musicians become popular is because they pay their way into the record copany or have good connections to producers.

Answer 9

I think mainstream music is catchier, but has no lasting appeal. I do admit, some of my brother's crappy pop punk is catchy, but I get tired of it after two listens. But bands like Yes and Rush, and even Beethoven, grow on you and don't let loose

Answer 10

It's like how bad news always make it to the media more than good news. People are just more interested in it.