Video killed the radio star

The first video on MTV was iconic. Those in my generation remember it well not because of the cultural impact on this generation, but because now music is visual instead of aural.

It changed the game. Videos became the medium in which records were sold. Radio was no longer the game changer in music, it was now if you saw your video on MTV, you have arrived.

The early years were ripe with creativity, musical tastes of all variety (except Country, hip-hop and metal). Musicians weren’t judged on how they looked, they were shown on talent. Musical talent ruled the game, not attractiveness, flash, poppy beats and ringtone friendly sales.

I distinctly remember as a young kid watching the Top 100 videos of the year every New Year’s Eve and anxiously awaiting the results.

One year, Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” won, which at that time was an insanely creative video… one that would never see one day of airtime on MTV now in the midst of reality shows and programming meant to make money rather than showcase talent.

Its the dumbing down of a medium. The VMA’s are a joke. Once they were a celebration of talent, now are a celebration of stroking egos.

Videos like “I would walk 500 miles” by The Proclaimers would see no play today because they singers aren’t attractive enough.

The Cure “Just Like Heaven” would see little airtime in the autotuned world of Lil Wayne and club songs like “We Found Love” by Rihanna.

Although songs like “Sweet Child of Mine” are classic songs that transcend generations, do you think Guns and Roses would have the same popularity today as Lady Gaga? To rock fans, yes, but to the general populace who likes songs you can dance to or catchy tunes, no.

Music has been watered down, acts pump out multiple albums which have been sanitized for quick sales by record producers and creativity is reserved for the bands that choose to do it their own way rather than give in to the demands of the big money labels.

The greats are gone, replaced by a few greats and a host of acts that will only be judged on sales rather than talent.

What does this have to do with the strength world? Everything and nothing.

Think about it…

There is a lot of talent in the strength world which is buried under a lot of noise. Sometimes you find some great ones in the midst of the hype, sometimes the hype is as good as advertised. Don’t always follow the herd, follow what works for you.

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