Showing posts with label Bands of Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bands of Boys. Show all posts

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Rebuttal: No, Michael Jackson was not more popular than the Beatles

Hey readers. 


What's so funny about this to me is that it was just a theory I had. I'm a HUGE Beatles fan. Anyone who knows me or has read my blog for a little bit knows this. I've taken University classes, I've written and given papers at conferences, I have lots of books and posters... hell, I've got a blog (and hopefully a book eventually) inspired by The Beatles.  I wrote my freaking undergraduate THESIS on The Beatles.

I love me some MJ, but not like I love me some John, Paul, George and Ringo. No way.

The comparison of MJ's popularity to The Beatles or Elvis (or Sinatra) is ridiculous. You can't compare the music industry of the 50s/60s to that of the 80s. Although many of you have brought up some terrific points.

My point was really that in the third world, where folks don't have the financial means to buy records, there is really no way to account for "fandom" and "popularity." So what is popularity if it's not based on numbers? Like I said you don't need to own any MJ to know his music, the same can be said about The Beatles.  Their music permeates every corner of our world.

Here are some of the comments I've gotten on the topic on facebook, check out examiner.com for other (more colorful responses):

Michael *was* more popular. Past tense. That hasn't been true in almost 20 years, though.

And...
I actually really agree with you. Or at least I scoff at the knee-jerk orthodoxy of the opposition. The fact is, the Beatles are much more hallowed among 1) older music critics and 2) white people. The rest of the world, I call it a wash.

Didn't MJ transform the 80s into HIS decade?

The other writer makes a big deal about MJ fading in his later period both in musical output and personal troubles, but post-heyday repertoire from former Beatles was often lackluster as well, and who gives a damn about his scandals? Or, is it all the more telling that we celebrate him so in spite of them?

And...
I think, Jamie, for those born after 1970, Michael was almost unquestionably bigger. for the boomers, The Beatles were bigger. I do believe it's a generational thing.
Great shot of Paul and Michael, though.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Who is your favorite Beatle and why?


Take a moment to pick your favorite Beatle in the poll over there on the right.  And if you have another moment, please comment and explain why you've made that choice. Be as specific or ridiculous as you want.  

This is a little survey that will hopefully make things interesting on my Band of Boys blog.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Bands of Boys blog



So I'm REALLY going to start working on my book.  But it's going to be a blog first. 

www.bandsofboys.blogspot.com

Or click here.

It has been my idea for a while to write a book about "boy bands" of the last 60 years.  But instead of using the term "boy bands" which connotates a certain 90s/2000s group of bands (n'Sync, Backstreet Boys, The Jonas Brothers), I will use the term "bands of boys" to include those "boy bands" and others, like The Beatles, The Four Freshman, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Monkees, Take That, The Four Seasons and so-on-and-so-fourth (and I will take arguments for bands that I have not thought of).

So, if you, or anyone you know, is a fan of a certain band of boys, please turn them onto this site or let me know how to reach them. I am very interested in their stories. 

Stay-tuned