Wayne Rooney kicking balls, AP McCoy riding horses, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams hitting balls, Michael Schumacher driving cars, Amy Williams sliding on a tea tray and Jessica Ennis doing everything.
The Rolling Stones, Kasabian, Dolly Parton, Morrissey, Metallica, Tiesto and The Specials.
These people/artists maintained being at the top of their game for a long time, winning the highest awards and demanding the largest crowds, so what does a rising superstar have to do achieve this lasting fame?
The two examples I'm focusing on here are the sudden elevation to deity status of Spurs and England striker Harry Kane, and the enormous expectation resting on the shoulders of band Catfish and The Bottlemen to dominate the music festival scene this summer.
I see three options for these two prospects to ensure their longevity.
Option 1 - Continue what they are doing now for the rest of their careers; Harry Kane continue to be a 25+ premier league goal scorer a season, Catfish and The Bottlemen to continue to write catchy and adrenalin pumping rock anthems that people love.
Best demonstrated - Novak Djokovic's refusal to lose and dominance of tennis title's and Morrissey's ability to write successful selling albums away from his fame with The Smiths.
Option 2 - Sell out to the big money. Harry Kane could of course move onto a bigger club than Tottenham Hotspur, earn more money than he could count in his life time and test himself at another club/league. However is it more important to first cement his place as the very best striker in England by staying at Spurs?
Catfish and The Bottlemen could sell out and start writing music aimed at selling records for the popular music chart, abandoning their loyal followers and fans in the search of increased commercial success and celebrity profile, with the help of auto-tune. This would be called doing a full Maroon 5. Alternatively lead singer Van McCan could audition to replace Zayn in 1Direction.
Best demonstrated - Gareth Bale and his move to Real Madrid, where he is yet to fully prove himself, whilst acquiring a strange hair do and Maroon 5 - got over 'This Love' quite quickly to dance with Mick Jagger.
Option 3 - Create or do something unforgettable. Harry Kane could win England the European Championships, or strip naked in a Tonka esq style from Mike Basset. Either one we haven't seen before.
A little tricker for Catfish and The Bottlemen as rock and roll antics have been around a long time before them. They either have to craft a song that will echo down generations such as The Special's 'Ghost Town', a song that people will remember for generations, pass onto their children and then still come and see you fill big venues in 30 years time. Or they could be outrageous and do a Kanye West - storming the stage at award ceremonies hasn't been done as well since Jarvis Cocker.
Best demonstrated - Metallica with their numerous classic hits headlining Glastonbury last year and John Carlos and Tommie Smith giving the black power salute at the Olympic medal ceremony.
What ever option these young starlets choose to go down, it is worth remembering that the career span and fame of a professional band or athlete only usually lasts 1 album or a couple of seasons/tournaments. Both are capable of lasting, but do either of them have the ability to do so?
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Saturday, 28 March 2015
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Fail-safe Mind Games
The 'Special' one's comments about the current Barcelona side, made in the build up to this weeks big Champions League (Man City v Barca, for those who live in caves), show that maybe, just maybe, Mr Jose Mourinho is getting through to the Manchester City players.
The comments stating that this is the weakest Barcelona side in 'many, many years', were taken by some to merely be an attack on, arguably, Mourinho's most hated team. However his comments were more an attack on Pellegrini and Manchester City. All Mourinho's comments did were pile psychological pressure on the Man City rich kids, pressure which I feel stopped them dominating Barcelona in midfield and pressuring the back four. In my opinion City showed Barca far too much respect. They should have been harassing and chasing the ball for 90 minutes, just as the Barcelona front 6 did every time City had the ball in defence/midfield. Once City broke past the Barca front 6 of Messi/Sanchez/Fabregas/Iniesta/Xavi/Busquets they looked dangerous and Barca exposed, however City were not good enough to move the ball in the half a second of free time each player had. Yet, with Barca pressing the ball so high up the pitch in numbers City failed to exploit the space between midfield and defence, with Silva, made for this job, stuck out wide left. Bad tactics from Pellegrini. Now in plain view is evidence that Pellegrini might not be handling the situation so well, with his wild, rash attack on the referee. He can expect a letter and fine from FIFA very shortly.Back to Mourinho's comments I felt before the game Pellegrini would prove me wrong, show his class and experience. He has let me down in the aftermath of the game. He has let himself down. Even Mourinho would not make comments so rash, he would do it in a calculated, sneaky and intelligent way, just as his comments preceding the match were. Following Mourinho's comments I was sure Pellegrini would be able to swipe them aside and install the confidence required in his players. Almost like if you were a child playing on the swings in the park, and some kid starts making fun of you, but you know you are alright because your Grandad is there to say 'Don't worry about it! That guys a, idiot!' Unfortunately what Pellegrini has demonstrated after the match is that he is more of a Grandad who has a brandy on a evening and shouts at the television.
Mourinho is more sly than this. His comments ensured he won either way. Had City beaten Barca, he would simply point out that his comments were correct and that City would perhaps have not beaten the Barca side that Mourinho managed to overcome when manager of Inter Milan, yet with Barca beating City it shows that City are still not strong enough to dominate Europe and, hopefully for Mourinho, providing Chelsea with the psychological edge to win the Premier League. What we have learnt are that Barcelona are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe, Mourinho's mind games might be working and the only way for City to re-install their claim as a European contender is to and win at the Camp Nou. Hardly the easiest of tasks. Still I wouldn't want to be City's opponents on Saturday.
Friday, 9 December 2011
United In Sadness And Gratitude
At times they pull people apart and can be the cause of friction, yet at others they can unite people together, to put aside differences and pay respect to a great. Whether you listen to Metallica or Pixie Lott or support Liverpool or Manchester United, following the loss of life people come together to celebrate the greats of their respective industries. The death of Gary Speed sent shockwaves throughout the world never mind in football alone.
Gary Speed played in the first football match my dad ever took me to see, and his commitment to the sport and professionalism is a model that all young footballers should work from. And I want to say thank you to Gary for helping to introduce me to the sport that has brought me so much joy over the years. Long may your memory live on.
May we also never forget the great music icons that leave us. From Barry White to Amy Whinehouse, they are all people who's job in life was doing something that they love. A choice in life I am determined to fulfil.
Finally I wish to call out to the Music industry and Sporting world, to take notice and offer as much support as possible to any person in need of help. They are not always straight forward 'normal' lives that these starts are thrust into.
Gary Speed played in the first football match my dad ever took me to see, and his commitment to the sport and professionalism is a model that all young footballers should work from. And I want to say thank you to Gary for helping to introduce me to the sport that has brought me so much joy over the years. Long may your memory live on.
May we also never forget the great music icons that leave us. From Barry White to Amy Whinehouse, they are all people who's job in life was doing something that they love. A choice in life I am determined to fulfil.
Finally I wish to call out to the Music industry and Sporting world, to take notice and offer as much support as possible to any person in need of help. They are not always straight forward 'normal' lives that these starts are thrust into.
A banner I made and displayed at the Leeds v Nottingham Forest game.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Tindall Rock 'n' Roll is cheap to watch
Rugby players partying and a victory for the people over Sky!
Following the shenanigans of the England rugby world cup squad out in New Zealand I began to wonder why such a focus is set upon sporting athletes to set a good role model, when musicians tend to be able to behave in whatever manner they see fit. Are musicians on tour not also representing their country, in a similar vein to that of a sports star? Either way it is not difficult to see how/why it's easy for these 'stars' to go 'off the track'.
Both have lots of money thrown at them, often from a young age, and with money no object, they will inevitably find lots to spend it on. Namely a lawyer if your name is Ashley Cole.
Left: Mick Jagger at the government's pleasure in America.
Musicians are the traditional rebels, right back to the days of Elvis, so maybe this is why it is never a 'disgrace' or 'shock' when they wind up arrested abroad, and they can hide behind the name of their band, rather than the team of England. Either way, these clubs or bands need guidance. Yes they have managers, yet there are often an awful lot of these 'money people' to manage.
However, we cannot be too quick to judge. Mr Tindall may have just been helping that young blonde women to find her drink.
At least there has been a victory for the people over the powerhouse corporation. Karen Murphy's victory over Sky means that pubs will be able to show Tindall and co. at a cheaper price via a Greek decoder.
If the government had sense then they would support pub owners purchasing Greek decoders. It would allow pubs to stay open rather than close, due to being able to attract customers, and not pay the pub Sky package, which is a cause of many pubs closing. This would get people back in the pubs, putting more money into the economy as well as getting rid of the Greek debt, as a huge influx in satellite decoders are ordered. Economic crisis solved by saving the pubs. And we get to watch Thatcher-ite Rupert Murdoch suffer even further. Everybody wins. Except Sky and Murdoch.
Following the shenanigans of the England rugby world cup squad out in New Zealand I began to wonder why such a focus is set upon sporting athletes to set a good role model, when musicians tend to be able to behave in whatever manner they see fit. Are musicians on tour not also representing their country, in a similar vein to that of a sports star? Either way it is not difficult to see how/why it's easy for these 'stars' to go 'off the track'.
Both have lots of money thrown at them, often from a young age, and with money no object, they will inevitably find lots to spend it on. Namely a lawyer if your name is Ashley Cole.
Left: Mick Jagger at the government's pleasure in America.
Musicians are the traditional rebels, right back to the days of Elvis, so maybe this is why it is never a 'disgrace' or 'shock' when they wind up arrested abroad, and they can hide behind the name of their band, rather than the team of England. Either way, these clubs or bands need guidance. Yes they have managers, yet there are often an awful lot of these 'money people' to manage.
However, we cannot be too quick to judge. Mr Tindall may have just been helping that young blonde women to find her drink.
At least there has been a victory for the people over the powerhouse corporation. Karen Murphy's victory over Sky means that pubs will be able to show Tindall and co. at a cheaper price via a Greek decoder.
If the government had sense then they would support pub owners purchasing Greek decoders. It would allow pubs to stay open rather than close, due to being able to attract customers, and not pay the pub Sky package, which is a cause of many pubs closing. This would get people back in the pubs, putting more money into the economy as well as getting rid of the Greek debt, as a huge influx in satellite decoders are ordered. Economic crisis solved by saving the pubs. And we get to watch Thatcher-ite Rupert Murdoch suffer even further. Everybody wins. Except Sky and Murdoch.
The huge order of Satellite decoders puts a smile back in Greece!
Friday, 16 September 2011
Snort The Punishment
Having recently watched the Dispatches programme about drugs in football i was left wandering why there isn't universally equal punishment for those caught using any banned or illegal substance? Also why the guilty never seem to appear in court if that substance is illegal?
Now don't get me wrong there are a lot of situations in the sport and music world where banned drug inclusion would drastically improve the quality on show, most of 4th division football, crown green bowls and the music of N-Dubz to name just a few examples, yet as they are illegal, they are illegal for everyone. For example, were i to be questioned by a figure of authority over a potential cocaine addiction i would not expect to get away with it by claiming i was under pressure to lose weight for the next home game. I would also not expect my record label to condone it. I would expect to be at a police station if i were caught.
Left: Drugs would probably improve the music made by these cool guys.
So why did the programme not indicate that the players who were caught now have a criminal record? A ban from the sport is the minimum expectation but i would not expect to be solely banned from work if i was caught hitting the bong at lunch time. And why are the bans so short??
In athletics drug cheats are planted with a 2 year ban with no questions asked yet why do football players not only get away with the crime but also only receive a 2-6 month ban.
Rugby players will do very well to escape a 2 year ban if they are caught using drugs, so why is football so soft?
Thankfully the music world do have their druggy pin up boy in Pete Doherty, who has spent more time at her majesties pleasure than most, and this is a good example of the rule applying to everyone, no matter how cute or good you may sound. His band Babyshambles were also dropped by record label Rough Trade. This is what should be done if you get caught!
My other point is about why the footballers crimes are allowed to remain hidden, out of the public eye. The first thing to happen should be the humiliation of the player, as part of their punishment! I assure you that were i to be in charge of any team or individual, they would be immediately feel the repercussions of their ill advised activities.
Finally, why was Rio Ferdinand allowed to mysteriously get away with his drugs test?? He received an 8 month ban for missing the test instead of a possibly 2 year ban for failing it!
There needs to be a rule across all sport, that applies to all and is executed by all. Example set.
Slainte
Now don't get me wrong there are a lot of situations in the sport and music world where banned drug inclusion would drastically improve the quality on show, most of 4th division football, crown green bowls and the music of N-Dubz to name just a few examples, yet as they are illegal, they are illegal for everyone. For example, were i to be questioned by a figure of authority over a potential cocaine addiction i would not expect to get away with it by claiming i was under pressure to lose weight for the next home game. I would also not expect my record label to condone it. I would expect to be at a police station if i were caught.
So why did the programme not indicate that the players who were caught now have a criminal record? A ban from the sport is the minimum expectation but i would not expect to be solely banned from work if i was caught hitting the bong at lunch time. And why are the bans so short??
In athletics drug cheats are planted with a 2 year ban with no questions asked yet why do football players not only get away with the crime but also only receive a 2-6 month ban.
Rugby players will do very well to escape a 2 year ban if they are caught using drugs, so why is football so soft?
Thankfully the music world do have their druggy pin up boy in Pete Doherty, who has spent more time at her majesties pleasure than most, and this is a good example of the rule applying to everyone, no matter how cute or good you may sound. His band Babyshambles were also dropped by record label Rough Trade. This is what should be done if you get caught!
My other point is about why the footballers crimes are allowed to remain hidden, out of the public eye. The first thing to happen should be the humiliation of the player, as part of their punishment! I assure you that were i to be in charge of any team or individual, they would be immediately feel the repercussions of their ill advised activities.
Finally, why was Rio Ferdinand allowed to mysteriously get away with his drugs test?? He received an 8 month ban for missing the test instead of a possibly 2 year ban for failing it!
There needs to be a rule across all sport, that applies to all and is executed by all. Example set.
Slainte
Rio Ferdinand 'definitely' didn't take drugs because he plays for Manchester United.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
We Want Our Money Back!
Jessie J unfortunately hit the nail on the head with her lyrics "It's all about the money, money, money." From the fee demanded by The Rolling Stones to headline glastonbury, to the cash magnet of cricketers leaving for the IPL, and from the price of a Bob Dylan ticket for his latest stadium tour, to the £400+ million spent over the summer by clubs in the English premier league, money is the only objective driving the people who pull the strings of the music and sport industries. Sport clubs are already the play toys of the super rich and music is following a similar trend, in that artists sign to a record label and then that label can throw them around as they please.
But without us, the punters/fans, both industries would collapse. A fact i think is often forgotten by the men in suits. In order to see the (supposed) best talent of both the music and sport industry we are required to part with vast amounts of our hard earned cash so why should we have to put up with it if the artists/athletes in question are crap?
Last season i was forced to endure watching my beloved football team throw away a 4-1 half time lead to go on and lose 6-4, a remarkable feature, but why should i have to pay for that misery? Surely some compensation would not go amiss and encourage me to come back to another match? A free pie anyone? How about Usain Bolt getting excited and jumping the gun in the final of 100m at the world championships? I was also unfortunate to witness Oasis headline glastonbury in 2004, they performed an awful show at the worlds biggest music festival. People pay an absolute fortune to attend the wonderful festival, but we have to gamble on wether or not the overpaid "star" performer will bother? Where is the free apologetic pint?
Left: Oasis looking crap and sounding crap.
However, maybe a revolution is underway. Arsenal recently got thumped 8-2 by Manchester United, a disgraceful result and even though nearly even seat in the ground was filled by a southerner or cockney it was the small section of Arsenal fans who travelled home embarrassed. In ordinary circumstances the manger would apologise and everyone moves on feeling robbed, yet, correctly in my opinion, Arsenal announced that any fan who had been to Old Trafford and witnessed the horror show would be granted a free ticket to attend another away match, to compensate them having to view such an atrocity. Similarly, Ipswich Town, who were recently on the end of a 7-1 hammering to Peterborough, offered to pay their fans travel expenses for the consecutive away match against Blackpool. We should have more of this in music and sport.
I therefore propose that a panel of experts are set up to view a sports team/musical artists performance. A representative should be appointed to each sporting team/event/music venue in the country, whom will have the power to decide if the team/artist was guilty of performing poorly resulting in their loss or booing by the fans, then some compensation should be given to the loyal followers. The guilty ruling would not apply for example, against Leeds Rhinos after their defeat to Wigan in the Challenge cup final at Wembley the other week. Despite losing the rhinos put in a sterling second half performance to restore pride and almost make a dramatic comeback.
I am not claiming that the fans should have all their money refunded but a free pint at a next gig, a free pie in the stadium or cup of tea at a rowing regatta wouldn't leave people feeling so cheated! We fund your careers so show us we mean something!
Above: How you could look enjoying a complimentary cup of tea after the rowing boat you came to watch sank.
But without us, the punters/fans, both industries would collapse. A fact i think is often forgotten by the men in suits. In order to see the (supposed) best talent of both the music and sport industry we are required to part with vast amounts of our hard earned cash so why should we have to put up with it if the artists/athletes in question are crap?
Last season i was forced to endure watching my beloved football team throw away a 4-1 half time lead to go on and lose 6-4, a remarkable feature, but why should i have to pay for that misery? Surely some compensation would not go amiss and encourage me to come back to another match? A free pie anyone? How about Usain Bolt getting excited and jumping the gun in the final of 100m at the world championships? I was also unfortunate to witness Oasis headline glastonbury in 2004, they performed an awful show at the worlds biggest music festival. People pay an absolute fortune to attend the wonderful festival, but we have to gamble on wether or not the overpaid "star" performer will bother? Where is the free apologetic pint?
Left: Oasis looking crap and sounding crap.
However, maybe a revolution is underway. Arsenal recently got thumped 8-2 by Manchester United, a disgraceful result and even though nearly even seat in the ground was filled by a southerner or cockney it was the small section of Arsenal fans who travelled home embarrassed. In ordinary circumstances the manger would apologise and everyone moves on feeling robbed, yet, correctly in my opinion, Arsenal announced that any fan who had been to Old Trafford and witnessed the horror show would be granted a free ticket to attend another away match, to compensate them having to view such an atrocity. Similarly, Ipswich Town, who were recently on the end of a 7-1 hammering to Peterborough, offered to pay their fans travel expenses for the consecutive away match against Blackpool. We should have more of this in music and sport.
I therefore propose that a panel of experts are set up to view a sports team/musical artists performance. A representative should be appointed to each sporting team/event/music venue in the country, whom will have the power to decide if the team/artist was guilty of performing poorly resulting in their loss or booing by the fans, then some compensation should be given to the loyal followers. The guilty ruling would not apply for example, against Leeds Rhinos after their defeat to Wigan in the Challenge cup final at Wembley the other week. Despite losing the rhinos put in a sterling second half performance to restore pride and almost make a dramatic comeback.
I am not claiming that the fans should have all their money refunded but a free pint at a next gig, a free pie in the stadium or cup of tea at a rowing regatta wouldn't leave people feeling so cheated! We fund your careers so show us we mean something!
Above: How you could look enjoying a complimentary cup of tea after the rowing boat you came to watch sank.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
The Last Minute (Fanfare) Winner
My aim on this blog is to cross my passion for two loves in my life; Music and Sport. I am studying a BA in Music Production at Leeds College of Music and am a season ticket holder in the Kop at Leeds United.
"Surely now Elland Road would fall silent. No chance. Like their fans, Leeds refused to go quietly." Henry Winter, Telegraph
Having been brought up in an atmosphere of football since the age of 3, when i attended Elland Road for the first time, i have often found myself craving the exhilaration, excitement and adrenaline rush that comes from belonging to a crowd. Leeds fans have always had the reputation of being a noisy bunch but have never felt the need for drums or vuvuzela's to intimidate the opposition. Aside from the football crowd I also used to get my kicks from going to gigs nearly ever week between the ages of 13 and 17 and still on a fairly frequent level now I am 19. The drive of a crowd, desperate for a favourite song to be played and just becoming entranced by the music, nothing existing outside of that room. I relate this feeling between both music and sport, when watching it live, i can switch off completely and not worry about "the thing that I forgot to do last Thursday", because at that moment, it doesn't matter.
My point here then is that despite placing me in an obsessed tranquil state of jubilation and (being a Leeds fan) often frustration why would i want to snap out of it to listen to Lady Gaga cheering on the boys?
Imagine the scene, Messi has just waltzed through Manchester United's entire midfield and defence and then lays the ball back for Iniesta to smash home a last minute winner in the Champions League final, and the next thing you see are thousands of Barcelona fans stepping side to side in a perfect routine of Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Granted it would be a sight for sore eyes but it is all too co-ordinated and structured rather than the pure chaos that proceeds a last gasp winner or equaliser (See Leeds fans celebrations of Adam Clayton's stoppage time winner against West Ham for how it should be done). So i am talking to the Wigan's and Norwich's of today to say "please don't press play." Americanisation and capitalism is already running our game. In cricket it is fine, Rugby it seems is already to far gone to be saved, but football still has a chance. If not, I fear that before too long this brainwashing advertising will feature in everything. How long will it be before players receive sponsorship money to re-inact Beyonce's new dance routine after a 20 yard screamer, or every player has their own theme tune song to be substituted to. Everyday the game is being taken away from the working classes and commercialisation is pumped through the tannoy, so i ask the sport and music gods to please, please, leave us our wild, jubilant, ecstatic and chaotic scenes of celebration, untouched and pure as they were always intended to be. Let the screams of joy sound into the air without a backing track!
Slainte
"Surely now Elland Road would fall silent. No chance. Like their fans, Leeds refused to go quietly." Henry Winter, Telegraph
Having been brought up in an atmosphere of football since the age of 3, when i attended Elland Road for the first time, i have often found myself craving the exhilaration, excitement and adrenaline rush that comes from belonging to a crowd. Leeds fans have always had the reputation of being a noisy bunch but have never felt the need for drums or vuvuzela's to intimidate the opposition. Aside from the football crowd I also used to get my kicks from going to gigs nearly ever week between the ages of 13 and 17 and still on a fairly frequent level now I am 19. The drive of a crowd, desperate for a favourite song to be played and just becoming entranced by the music, nothing existing outside of that room. I relate this feeling between both music and sport, when watching it live, i can switch off completely and not worry about "the thing that I forgot to do last Thursday", because at that moment, it doesn't matter.
My point here then is that despite placing me in an obsessed tranquil state of jubilation and (being a Leeds fan) often frustration why would i want to snap out of it to listen to Lady Gaga cheering on the boys?
Imagine the scene, Messi has just waltzed through Manchester United's entire midfield and defence and then lays the ball back for Iniesta to smash home a last minute winner in the Champions League final, and the next thing you see are thousands of Barcelona fans stepping side to side in a perfect routine of Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Granted it would be a sight for sore eyes but it is all too co-ordinated and structured rather than the pure chaos that proceeds a last gasp winner or equaliser (See Leeds fans celebrations of Adam Clayton's stoppage time winner against West Ham for how it should be done). So i am talking to the Wigan's and Norwich's of today to say "please don't press play." Americanisation and capitalism is already running our game. In cricket it is fine, Rugby it seems is already to far gone to be saved, but football still has a chance. If not, I fear that before too long this brainwashing advertising will feature in everything. How long will it be before players receive sponsorship money to re-inact Beyonce's new dance routine after a 20 yard screamer, or every player has their own theme tune song to be substituted to. Everyday the game is being taken away from the working classes and commercialisation is pumped through the tannoy, so i ask the sport and music gods to please, please, leave us our wild, jubilant, ecstatic and chaotic scenes of celebration, untouched and pure as they were always intended to be. Let the screams of joy sound into the air without a backing track!
Slainte
Carlisle fans showing how it should be done
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