The sound of music

It is sad to see the demise of HMV. There was a time when most high streets had a selection of stores that sold music in its various forms; and then along came HMV and the others fell by the wayside. The chain is likely to close a number of its outlets in the not too distant future and this means that some towns will no longer have over the counter music available.

The music industry has been in trouble for a while and the blame has been laid on illegal downloads. Why would anyone buy what you can get for free? Companies have tried various measures to combat this type of piracy and because the practice is so widespread, none of their curbing efforts have been effective.

People blame the demise of the record shop on Internet shopping, and of course it is easier and cheaper to buy music that way. I know that I always buy music and movies from Amazon or Play.com from the comfort of my office, not that I would describe myself as significant in the cash flow crisis that is dragging HMV down.

I have always liked music. It is an important part of my life albeit as a receiver. In the old days when I was alive, the music industry was flourishing; singles cost around 35p and each week a vast and varied range of new singles hit the shelves. Top of the pops was highlight of everyone's week and the charts were based on actual sales. Albums would cost One pound 50 and the covers were works of art worthy of hanging on the wall.

I saw the Beatles on stage, it cost 25p for the ticket and later, at college we hired Status Quo, already a known band, for forty pounds - Yes forty pounds for the band, and for that they played all night. I paid 20p to see Cream and the same to see many other bands; even then it wasn't a lot of money. Bands would play small venues and none complained that they were not making a living. Most of them did that for years, learning their trade and selling the occasional record, and yes there were the odd one hit wonders with little or no talent but to stay in the game you had to be a musician. Bands would often pay for the love of it and of course there were many even then that thought they should always do so. The Isle of Wight festival in 1970 saw 600,000 people arrive, many of whom had no tickets and baulked at paying three pounds for the three days. There were riots and the clash between business and ordinary people marked the beginning of the slippery slope.

Then of course big business took over and the stadium concerts began, and with a hike in size came a hike in costs and the spiral of profits soared. I paid 60 pounds to see Genesis along with thousands of others at Twickenham. All of that band are already wealthy - what is that all about?

There is musical talent around today but there is little that shouts out to be purchased. Much of what is on offer these days comes from synthetic kiddie bands whose talents are minimal but sufficient to slake the uneducated thirsts of todays kids. The rise of Hip Hop and Rap provides an anti-music that is fashionable among the politically correct and is anathema to those who like melody or lyrics that are comprehensible.

HMV's biggest problem is not the pirates or the internet, it is a shortage of anything worth selling that has brought them to their knees.

A fresh start?

I don't make new year resolutions as a rule. They are far too easy to forget and rarely do I maintain the enthusiasm for new things.
I am sure though that the number of people in their lycra shorts and new trainers, that I see jellying their way around the morning streets, have decided that this will be the year that they leave the couch and burn off some of the adipose tissue that has accumulated during the previous years. I am sure that the lycra will not wear out and that the spanking new Nikes will get little use after the first few days.
I went for a walk on January the first and my faith in my fellow man took yet another dive as I ploughed my way through streets littered with vomit, beer cans, broken bottles and rejected food containers.The way of life of so many of us has become ugly and utterly self absorbed. LIttle thought is given to others, and the notion of being nice or polite to fellow citizens seems to be a trait that is very rapidly vanishing. We have become obsessed by the present, by the here and now, and by the accumulation of material things that at the end of the day have little or no worth. We all die and no-one counts the black plastic bags that those goods end up in.
Having said all this, I realise that by withdrawing from society is not an answer. By doing so I am abdicating any responsibility for what goes on the world, and that in itself is irresponsible and self destructive. So this year I am determined to reverse my implosive tendencies and try to spend more time with more people - No doubt it will last no longer than the lycra shorts.