15 of 17

Write now Article Tools

Pop music came into it's own with the arrival of the phonograph and crooners such as Bessie Smith of the 1920's. Although Bessie Smith was classified as a Blues/Jazz Singer, Pop music encompasses many different styles of music that is heavily marketed to the masses and with sales of 2,000,000 records back in those days she definitely fits the profile.

Pop songs are memories, memories of where we were at a certain time in our lives and with whom. Let's face it, Pop Genre is about, love found, love lost, undying love, unrequited love,relationships good and bad, and in a nutshell all matters of the heart. This is what makes us tick. My parents had Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Bill Haley and "moi" was extremely lucky enough to grow up dancing to The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, The Who, Queen, Stevie Wonder,Thin Lizzy, Prince, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Boz Scaggs, Stevie Windwood, Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry and the list really is a mile long.

From the 50's, with such labels as Columbia Records, Decca, Motown etc, pop music has been an eclectic mix of people with talent that surpasses all genre. They were adept in the studio as recording artists and just as important, could sell tickets on the road touring nationally and globally, performing to live audiences. Pop music today is a multi billion dollar annual revenue machine that unfortunately more often than not, focuses on image rather than real talent, as modern technology allows the music moguls to create the sound they want for any voice and they regularly create "Overnight Sensations, who may not be strong in the vocal department, but definitely have other qualities they can fine tune, package and promote, and in effect todays pop artists really don't need to leave the studio to make an impact on the market and bring home the bacon for Big Daddy. It's basically, make a record, design some clothes and create your very own perfume or handbag for ultimate merchandising profitability.

Having said that, I really can't complain about the real talent out there waiting for me to tune into like Pink, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Beyonce, U2, John Legend, Alicia Keys and all the other great artists who are heavily entrenched in the current and hopefully future of mainstream pop culture. No, no complaints!

Learn more about this author, Sharron Becquet-Rasmussen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Pop music: Past, present and future?
We want to hear your view. Write now!