I'm asking this, because it seems to me that the music industry nowadays focuses more on style over substance. If you don't believe me, let me bring up an episode of "American Idol" I once saw. In one episode, there was a guy who auditioned and was obviously very talented. Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson gave him a thumbs up, but Simon Cowell said that he didn't like the way the guy looked and that since the music industry is a business, you have to have an image to sell. Not only that, but I saw another episode in which Simon Cowell told another guy that he had a good voice, but that he needed to lose a few pounds! There have been PLENTY of great musicians who weren't exactly perfect tens! If MTV had been around during the 60s and 70s, we probably would have missed out on the likes of Neil Young, Roy Orbison, and Janis Joplin, just to name a few. Nowadays musicians with substance have been replaced by mannequins that all sound alike!
2007-10-24 12:12:48 · 15 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Other - Music
Some of the best musicians are not physically attractive. Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mama Cass Elliot, Jimi Hendrix, John Popper (Blues Traveller), Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Luciano Pavorotti... the list goes on. Most of the "attractive" ones - Britney and Shania Twain come to mind - aren't worth listening to. Music is for your ears, mind and heart, not your eyes.
Keep in mind, American Idol is NOT for true music lovers. It is a "pop music" competition. On the rare occasion a real musician makes it onto the show, they usually get booted long before the Sanjaya's do.
2007-10-24 12:40:41 · answer #1 · answered by john_stolworthy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. In fact, most of the music I enjoy is by artists who are "average-looking" ordinary people or those whom would otherwise be unattractive.
You are right. The music INDUSTRY is focused far more on style/appearance over substance. As with the case is with American Idiot...I mean..."Idol," the industry is concerned primarily with making its final, polished product more appealing to the mass market. For quite some time, the industry has been frowning upon innovation, relying upon the "tried and true" pop-music to keep its struggling sales afloat. Uncertainty is not in the corporate world's best interests; this is especially true of the music industry. All that matters is the bottome line.
2007-10-25 02:22:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to remember that American Idol is a contest/show. So the appearance AND talent must be go hand in hand. You are trying to "market" an image, product.
You are right that we would have missed many good musicians if we judged them by their looks. When you mentioned that I immediately thought of Bob Dylan.
But a persons appearance is the first thing you see and thus making it a vital element to the biz.
2007-10-24 12:28:48 · answer #3 · answered by Edward H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure I would. I used to do it all the time. I never knew what my favorite artists looked like unless I happened to come across a picture of them. This was long before MTV came along. After that, attractiveness could make or break an artist. It didn't really matter if the person could actually sing as long as he or she looked good in music videos.
2007-10-24 12:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by RoVale 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I listen to good music. I often listen to artist that someone else is listening to if it really catches my ears. Most of the time I have no idea what they look like. Daft Punk, Peter Bjorn and John, Toto, and so on. Mostly music from the 70's and 80's. So to answer your question: Yes.
2007-10-24 12:23:37 · answer #5 · answered by justkhail 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hell yes.
mick jagger, pete townshend, john fogerty...not the most attractive guys in town, coincidentally in 3 of the best bands around.
The music industry now does suck, and is shallow, but in the case of american idol it is a competition to find a marketable act. Not fair in terms of life but that is the business.
2007-10-24 12:21:40 · answer #6 · answered by Nick P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Simon is rather odd looking himself!. I'm surprised he did'nt say anything about "Fantasia",with her short hair and large mouth (But then again!), he knew better not too!
I thought B.i.g.g.i.e was very unattractive,but it did'nt stop him from bringing in the "Bling-Bling". He did'nt have to loose weight,get a nose job,or suck up to the media neither.
2007-10-24 13:37:41 · answer #7 · answered by Squeakers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would but some wouldn't and the record labels won't hire them.
many people have had this issue.
there are even stories about stars being given pills and cocain from their managers not to get high but to induce weight loss. some of these stars were underage
2007-10-24 13:59:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
True and sad at the same time. This country is so external appearance oriented in general its getting everyone depressed. Even the supermodels have flaws and they notice them more than anyone looking.
2007-10-24 17:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes i like music from 70's 80's the best and rarely if ever watch videos. One of my favorites weird al yankovic
2007-10-24 12:17:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋