The music world has been dumbfounded when the death of Amy Winehouse was proclaimed last summer. Of course, deaths among celebrities happen with natural regularity as they are human-beings. However, this tragedy became a real sensation because of the other reason. Any Winehouse was 27 and she replenished the ranks of all those outstanding musician and singers who left this world exactly at that age. There is even a notion ascribed to death of musicians at 27 and it’s called ‘Curse of 27’.

‘Curse of 27’ is the generic name of all lethal cases in the music industry which touched only people of 27. There are many theories about why celebrities join the majority precisely at this time, not other. The most widespread viewpoint concerning this issue is that musicians who achieved the heights in their industry till this age outlive major psychological problems and crisis which lead to the intentional or accidental death.

The other generally accepted outlook on ‘Curse of 27’ syndrome is that those people suffered from psychological trauma revealed already in early childhood: home violence, abuse, disdain, and misunderstanding in early years might lead to the personality destruction in future. And, certainly, alcohol, drugs or pills abuse stand in the limelight of that destruction. Read more…

The stars of the past get new wave of popularity only after their death. Indeed, the peak of popularity changes to the slowdown of concert activity, fewer hits and gradual transition to the rank of ‘former-stars’. Such state of affairs can be attributed to many worldly-known music stars, such as Michael Jackson, Emmy Winehouse, and recently departed Whitney Houston. It’s not our lot to judge their lives, however, it’s our lot to bear their inheritance in our hearts.

The best time of Whitney Houston has ended long time ago, and we could hear about her only from newspapers or radio stations. New songs appeared with irregularity and fans of her talent had to be sated with her old songs. But the situation changed with the death of Whitney: this deplorable occasion incited the new explosion of Whitney’s songs. Read more…

A music producer plays an essential role in the career of an upcoming band, aspiring solo artiste, etc. He or she is a crucial cog in the band or the artist’s ‘wheel of fortune’. In the subsequent part of this article, we will briefly examine the role of a music producer in the music business, i.e. what a music producer exactly does, and we will also take a look at a few figures pertaining to music producer salary ranges.

Here is all that a music producer does. Basically, he or she first listens to the songs that have been written or composed by the artiste (or the band). Then, he or she tries to understand, gauge and get an idea of the artiste or band’s genre of music and their individual signature ’sound’. After listening to the different tracks that the artiste or the band have created, the music producer tries to analyze which ones may work (i.e. become a commercial success) and which ones would require improvement. Read more…

This week sees the release of ‘When You’re Strange, a film about The Doors.’

This is the documentary about the band with previously unseen footage charting the history and legacy of the group.

It’s narrated by Doors fan Johnny Depp.

6 Music’s Sinead Garvan has been talking to the band’s drummer - John Densmore:

Read more…

Music festival promoters are being warned to stop paying big artists so much money.

A group of organisers that represents independent music festivals in the UK and Ireland claim that if fees aren’t cut, fans could suffer.

They say the money top acts are demanding to play has continued to rise despite the recession.

Last year’s festivals were estimated to have brought in £130m for the UK economy.
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Ben Turner is co-founder of the association of independent festivals (AIF) that represents the likes of Green Man, Eden Sessions, Get Loaded In The Park, Bestival, Creamfields, Evolution Festival, Field Day/Underage, Secret Garden Party and WOMAD. Read more…