Bruce Springsteen is too OLD for Radio? Or is he too outspoken?

[pnwmom]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,306164,00.html

Bruce Springsteen should be very happy. He has the No. 1 album, a possible Grammy for Best Album of the Year for "Magic," an album full of singles and a sold-out concert tour.

Alas, there’s a hitch: Radio will not play "Magic." In fact, sources tell me that Clear Channel has sent an edict to its classic rock stations not to play tracks from "Magic." But it’s OK to play old Springsteen tracks such as "Dancing in the Dark," "Born to Run" and "Born in the USA."

SNIP

But what a situation: The No. 1 album is not being played on any radio stations, according to Radio & Records, which monitors such things. Nothing. The rock songs aren’t on rock radio, and the two standout "mellow" tracks — "Magic" and "Devil’s Arcade" — aren’t even on "lite" stations.

SNIP

Clear Channel seems to have sent a clear message to other radio outlets that at age 58, Springsteen simply is too old to be played on rock stations. This completely absurd notion is one of many ways Clear Channel has done more to destroy the music business than downloading over the last 10 years. It’s certainly what’s helped create satellite radio, where Springsteen is a staple and even has his own channel on Sirius.

SNIP

[yardwork]

1. Clear Channel has many close ties to the Bush administration.

[pnwmom]

2. I suspected as much. n/t

[yardwork]

6. Clear Channel tried to destroy the Dixie Chicks' career because they criticized Bush.

Clear Channel has a monopoly and uses it to promote the Bush agenda at every turn. They've benefited greatly from the Bush administration's relaxing of federal guidelines, and they've returned the favor by acting as a key cog in the fascist machine.

[zbdent]

81. The owner of Clear Channel was the guy who bought the Texas Rangers

from Bush ... so, yeah ... there was a slight connections ...

[Cha]

23. clear channel was instumental

in fucking over the Dixie Chicks.

Rec'd~

[Ron Green]

3. Radio is all about commerce, not art.

When the cuts from "Magic" become "oldies," radio will play them.

[tularetom]

4. It was only after I read the article I looked at the logo at the top

When I noticed it was from faux noise, I understood why there was no mention of Springsteen's opposition to the Iraq fuckup perhaps being the cause of the censorship.

Although I was surprised to see them trash clear Channel.

[shain from kane]

5. When I was a teenager, I didn't listen to my parents' music. This idea of

classic rock stations playing to the younger crowd is ridiculous. It isn't classic rock stations' audience. They have their own music, and I don't believe that they would want to listen to songs that are 30 and 40 years old.

[rocktivity]

17. That musical "generation gap" is long gone

Today's kids don't live in fear of being rendered "uncool" by embracing any musical genre--I think they're much freer to listen to whatever they think is good. Go to a "classic" rocker's concerts, and you'll find people of all ages.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Romulox]

18. That's because young people today don't have much music of their own...

You can buy Led Zeppelin t-shirts at places like Kohl's nowadays. I don't think this is evidence of the broadening of young minds, but rather an anemic youth culture...

[pnwmom]

30. Ouch. I think my resident youths would disagree. n/t

[shain from kane]

31. Robert Plant is making records with Alison Krauss, Jimmie Page is working

on re-issues of past glories, and John Paul Jones, well, did he ever catch on with another band? Oh, and the drummer is dead. A long time foolishly dead. Not exactly material for hero worship.

[Romulox]

34. LOL. Tell it to the kids hanging out at "Hot Topix"!

My thesis is that too much classic rock is not healthy for a young person. It's easy-to-digest, backward looking and conformist stuff at this point.

[Arkansas Granny]

20. I went to a Bob Seger concert earlier this year and there were

people in the audience ranging from young teens to late 60's (or older). Everyone seemed to know all the words and sang along. My grandchildren (ages 18 to 21) have borrowed some of my favorite albums by the Eagles, Seger and others so they can burn copies for themselves. They listened to the music while they were growing up and they still enjoy it.

[Horse with no Name]

78. My 19 year old borrows my "oldie" CD's

sports my old vintage Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Zeppelin etc T-Shirts...and still likes her rap.

[shain from kane]

37. All you are seeing is the hype. To use an old term, it's the "Happening Thing". The last Stones'

tours were pathetic. They are definitely no longer thr greatest rock and roll band on Earth. But people turned out like they were, so they could brag about it and be seen by their friends. The genuine fans weren't there, because they couldn't afford the tickets. When a band's entire catalogue can be purchased for the price of one ticket, there is something wrong. They sold out. Even Keith.

[lurky]

7. Who listens to music on commercial radio anymore?

The big conglomerates have made it suck, and the Internet has made it unnecessary.

[MadBadger]

8. Doesnt matter when all i listen to is E-street radio on Sirius.

Bruce would expect this though, just listen to his song Radio Nowhere, about what radio has become.

[Marnieworld]

16. Damn straight!

Isn't it great that it's back? :D

[MadBadger]

25. I love it, and this time I have sirius

Im at school so I listen to it online. That and the boots I've been getting of his live shows and the recent live shows.

[rocktivity]

9. Too old, my ass--it's his politics

And who do they think made his album number one, anyway--people his age? Who do they think they're kidding?

P.S. Consider the source.

:headbang:
rocknation

[onenote]

22. no, its just radio

There are 8 Clear Channel stations in the DC area: 2 "talk" format, 1 sports, one "urban", 1 country, 1 oldies, 1 soft rock, and 1 hard rock. Springsteen's newest material just doesn't fit into any of those formats.

But in other cities, there are clear channel stations that don't shy away from Bruce. Take WHEB in New Hampshire. Its running a contest giving away Springsteen concert tickets.
http://www.wheb.com/cc-common/globalcontestfinder.html

And even though Bruce was pretty outspoken in the 2004 elections, that didn't stop Clear Channel from promoting his 2006 "Seegar Sessions" disc: http://www.clearchannel.com/Radio/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1615&KeyWord=springsteen


I don't like the fact that radio formats are so limited these days and that consolidation has ruined radio, but I don't see political retribution at work.

[rox63]

10. OMG, something from Faux Spews that isn't a total lie?

Get me the smelling salts, I feel faint... :wow:

[pnwmom]

13. Yeah, me too. I followed a link and didn't realize where I was going

until I was too late. Then I cringed as I put it up here.

But in this case, I thought it was worth making an exception.

[tom_paine]

14. Entertainment News and Sports news have the most integrity of all Imperial MSM

It's just that simple. Fox's brain-dead drones cannot even discern a lie told to them about political and historical matters, because they know little or nothing about either, and much of what they have "learned" at the feet of their Bushies Masters are lies an, at best, half-truths.

But try to lie to these idiots about CELEBRITY NEWS and you've pissed on a bee's nest.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Fuck 'Em!!!

I'm seeing my 3rd Bruce & ESB show in the last week, tonight, and I could care less what Corporate Whore Radio does.

[rocktivity]

19. DING DING DING! OrangeCountyDem, you're our grand prize winner!

...I'm seeing my third Bruce & ESB show in the last week tonight...

Then you're perfectly qualified to tell us: How would you describe the age range at the concerts?

P.S. I saw Prong on Sunday night and I'm seeing Bon Jovi Thursday night. If music were food, I'd have a garbage can for a stomach.

:headbang:
rocknation

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

43. Middle Aged Folks

Like myself. There were some 20 Somethings, but I'd say the avg. range was 35-55.

[americanstranger]

47. Prong? Damn!

I knew Tommy Victor when he was soundman at CBGB.

'Prove You Wrong = still a great record.

- as

[tom_paine]

12. This is no suprise. Bushies are getting more blatant. Totalitarianism squeezes it's iron grip

tighter.

Expect it to get more blatant, and soon.

Like the global environment, Imperial Amerika has reached a tipping point from which there is slim hope (but it is still there & NEVER GIVE UP) of recovery.

It is now 95% likely that none of us here today will ever see Amerika free once again. On the other hands, they were saying that in Germany 1937, too, and that tunred out to not be true, even though the German Bush also won and won and won everything for his first 10 years in the 30s and early 40s.

[Marnieworld]

15. He also had the theme song to the world series

The video played out as they rolled credits. The number one album not played on radio? Sure that makes sense. :eyes:

[supernova]

21. Bruce isn't too old; CC is making radio irrelevant

Seriously, CC is going to ban themselves right out of the market if they keep banning the most popular acts from their stations.

Eventually Clear Channel will be reduced to what they always aspired to -- simply repeating Perry Comos Greatest Hits and Bing Crosby's White Christmas. And you know, their audience is dwindling by the thousands every day.

[pnwmom]

27. I'm glad to hear their audience is dwindling. They deserve it. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

24. Least Common Demoninator Programming

Radio stations pay millions each year "testing" music that is supposed to draw the maximum audience to the format. The testing is a joke as it is more based on a pavlovian recall about a song than if a person wants to hear it. If the person is familiar with a song, it rates high...something new or outside the big hits get the shaft. Corporate radio attempts to make radio into a manipulative "science" through this "defense" on why stations sound so similar despite declining listening levels. They've all but lost a generation of younger listeners who have turned to IPODs and online listening as their prime source for new music.

Another problem is the lack of programmers. Most stations are chain-owned with one person making the musical decision at a dozen or more stations. Many of these programmers are younger with little perspective into the music they're playing...all that matters is "formatics"...if it doesn't fit the mold it doesn't get aired. Gone are the days when a station in Boston or Detroit could launch a tune or band to a national hit. It's all controlled.

[pnwmom]

32. Idiots. n/t

[maxsolomon]

26. one vote for TOO OLD

he was too old for me when The River came out my senior year of HS. he's what, 55?

you'll hear him on 103.7 "the mountain" in seattle. but that's old-person rock.

radio is irrelevant.

[MadBadger]

28. Hes 58 and still rockin hard.

[shain from kane]

33. Chuck Berry's 80, and still singing "Sweet Little Sixteen." Disgusting. Some of these rockers

should retire more gracefully. Grace Slick was right on this one.

From the internets ----
Slick stated that the main reason she retired from the music business was that "all rock-and-rollers over the age of 50 look stupid and should retire."

[MadBadger]

38. I'm confused, do you think Bruce should retire?

[shain from kane]

41. No,but my reference indicates that Grace Slick seems to think that. n/t

[americanstranger]

40. Chuck has earned that right.

If it weren't for CB and a few others, rock would not exist.

I'd go see an 80 year old CB before I'd drop 60 bucks to see a lame-ass band like Nickelback.

For my money, anybody robbing the grave of Cobain should retire - and that's just about every new rock band out there that isn't the Foo Fighters.

- as

[shain from kane]

42. How relevant are 80 year olds singing about 16 year olds? I remember seeing the remaining

members of Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers on TV, and they were still going by "The Teenagers" in their 70s and 80s. It was laughable.

[americanstranger]

46. Whatever the market will bear - and there IS still a market for him.

A lot of people are going to see Chuck at this point because he won't be around much longer and they want to be able to say they saw one of the greats.

Mind you, Chuck pretty much phones it in at this point - the drummer from my band went to see him and said it was pretty awful. But the guy's got the right to ply his trade and make some dough as long as people are willing to pay for it, and I think he's looked upon more as a bit of living history than a 'relevant' artist at this point.

Oldies shows are big business, and the people who go to those shows want to hear 'Sweet Little Sixteen.' And besides, I don't think chuck has even written a new song since 'My Ding-A-Ling' in the early Seventies.

I do the web site for Twisted Sister, and they make a lot of money per show playing what made them famous. The people who go to see them know they're getting 'We're Not Gonna Take It' and 'I Wanna Rock,' and that's fine with both band and audience. The band has consciously decided not to try and write a new album, because how relevant would that be - a bunch of aging guys in makeup writing songs about rebellion would frankly make no sense, and the band realizes that.

A lot of people take the view that The Stones should hang it up, too. But seeing as how I'm an old guy who still writes and plays rock music, I say more power to 'em.

And keep in mind that one of these days Chad Kroeger and Dave Grohl will be 'too old,' too. Wonder if they'll hang it up or keep playing until some young'un says they should get off the stage. :D

- as

[shain from kane]

61. That market used to be The Duck Room at $5.00 at the door. Since he's older, and

everyone anticipates that they will see his last show, the demand has increased the price to $25.00. Most shows are currently being sold out, but he only performs once a month at The Duck Room, University City, St. Louis, MO. I don't know whether he is appearing anywhere else.

[americanstranger]

64. He was here on Long Island over the Summer.

Played with another ancient rocker, Johnny Rivers - who, according to my drummer, blew Chuck off the stage.

And rest assured that the ticket price for that show was well above $25 bucks. I saw the James Gang (more ancient rockers!) at the same venue and the ticket cost me 65 bucks.

- as

[shain from kane]

65. That was a big payday for Chuck at this stage. I wonder how much he reported to the taxman?

[americanstranger]

70. I'm sure he's in full compliance nowadays.

He racked up some Willie Nelson-sized debts to the IRS some years back, and I'm sure they hawk him at this point.

The thing about Chuck - he's been touring for years without anything but his clothes and his guitar. The backline is in place at the venue when he gets there, he uses local musicians for backup bands, and just shouts out tunes that he feels like playing.

And according to my drummer, he keeps one eye on his wrist watch when he's on stage - and when he's done, he doesn't waste a minute getting off stage.

The best contrast I have to that situation is when I saw James Brown in the mid-90s. Mr. Brown put on a full show, brought his own band, and rocked the house until both he and the crowd were about worn out.

They didn't call Mr. Brown The Hardest Working Man In Show Business for nothing. He left it all on the stage that night - and I was among the lucky few that got his autograph that night. I still treasure it.

- as

[shain from kane]

71. Once a cheat, always a cheat. He cheated the taxman, he cheated on his wife, although

he somehow remained married to her, (of course, no one can ask her side of the story, because he won't allow anyone to talk to her.), and he cheated Johnnie Johnson. He cheats on his audience, by performing poorly. Since he is relatively harmless now, I don't care if he retires or not. But at least he could tell the truth every once in awhile.

[mitchum]

79. That's because Chuck is a very very bad man...

and that's another reason he's the true king of rockandroll. That Presley kid was just some hillbilly who dug Dean Martin....

edit: typo

[Le Taz Hot]

82. ROFLMAO!!!

It is to laugh, young grasshopper.

Haven't you people learned by now the Boomers are NEVER going to "act their age?" We're currently in the process of redefining those retirement years.

And, as usual, you will eat our dust!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! (Mad maniacal laugh)

[maxsolomon]

80. that may be, but the question was "too old for radio?"

neil still rocks hard, too. but bruce is not going to be relevant for "kids" today. i work with 30 year olds who think U2 is for old fogies.

and they're right.

rock (and rap even moreso) is a young man's game.

[electprogdems]

75. I love 103.7, the Mountain

I prefer to call it rock music for adults!

[Mrs. Overall]

29. KMTT in Seattle is playing songs from "Magic," but it's independent--not chained by Clear Channel.

[americanstranger]

35. Look at the other artists mentioned in that article.

Annie Lennox' new record is called 'Songs Of Mass Destruction.'

Fogerty's new record contains at least two anti-Bush tunes.

This ain't about age. It's basically Dixie Chicks II, and Clear channel is getting away with it because there is no one out there to stop them.

- as

[SoFlaJet]

36. That's Fox News story

any coincidence that the song Last To Die isn't even mentioned as to a reason it's not being played? Last To Die echoes John Kerry's question as to who will be the last one to die for a mistake...screw Clear Channel and I too am also listening to a lot of E Street radio on Sirius-I only wish they'd play more stuff from albums NOT named Born To Run The River and Darkness On The Edge Of Town. Tracks and the Lucky Town/Human Touch albums are great stuff

[MadBadger]

39. I will say, this Fox story seems very pro-springsteen.

[zanne]

44. Springsteen is only old if you're young. nt

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

54. Not to take sides with Clear Channel, buy any means...

But my daughter is 13. Bruce is 58. That means Bruce is 45 years older than my daughter. I was born in 1961 -- comparably speaking, that would be like me listening to Dinah Shore (born in 1916) back in 1974 rather than the Ramones or the Talking Heads.

I would have been the most hopelessly dorky kid in school.

[MadBadger]

55. But why not play his music on Classic Rock stations?

though its music is mostly from the 60,70s, or 80s, those are Springsteens core fans. Many of them, especially in the Philly, New York/NJ, and Boston area would love to hear his new music on the radio.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

57. I agree completely...

That's why I bought the CD the day it was released :)

I've always had a problem with classic rock stations, to be honest. They say they'll play music from the 60's, 70's and 80's but I almost never hear any Chuck Berry or Commodores or Michael Jackson (even though I'm not a fan of the latter). The common thread is pretty obvious -- most classic rock stations that I've been exposed to basically seem to be playing classic "white" rock.

Your local station my not be guilty of this. Just my experience.

[shain from kane]

59. Why are you worried that it isn't played on the radio, if you have the CD? Why have someone

choose the music for you?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

62. Personally, I'm not...

I rely on the internet (and my teenaged daughter) to hear about new bands -- most of which aren't being played anywhere but on the local Alt-Rock Station.

I think that radio is becoming increasingly irrelevant. They play a homogenized playlist and have deejays who are all from somewhere else and looking to leave when the next best thing comes along (unless you live in New York or L.A.) There's no local flavor to local radio anymore.

If I weren't a pathetic cheapskate, I've have satellite radio by now!

[juno jones]

72. I love internet music

Try Radio Paradise for real AOR-'classic' rock + new music, and I also love Radio Sing Sing from Paris...lots of old funk and great international music.

I have to listen to 'classic' rock pretty much all day at work. I don't want to listen to that mundane shit at home. I don't understand this hanging on to music that reminds you of high school stuff. I'm 43 and I still want to hear new music. I get that on the internet.

[MadBadger]

63. Because sometimes for myself, I dont want to listen to just bruce

I want to hear a variety of music during my drive. Maybe a song that I dont have on my computer, or a song that I havent heard before. Thats why radio for me is still important.

[shain from kane]

67. Sometimes the search has it's own rewards. I just don't like someone to constantly tell or

remind me of what music I should listen to.

[pnwmom]

73. Because it limits the number of people who don't have the CD

who are exposed to Springsteen's music -- and his message.

Which is probably why the radio isn't playing it.

[zanne]

83. Why limit ourselves to today's music?

It seems like we're missing out on an awful lot when we refuse to listen to music that was made before our time. I've been having a blast lately listening to Ella Fitzgerald and the Andrews Sisters. (Yes, they were before my time). I love contemporary music, too. There's so much to enjoy!

[Generator]

45. Obvious censorship bullshit

Just like taking Olbermann off of basic cable.

My one "liberal" over 40 station plays Bruce all the time. KINK. The originals hippies-they play alice's restaurant every Thanksgiving. Now, I'm going to cry-this country is toast. It's the propaganda that's killing us.

[The Stranger]

48. Oh come on -- it is because he is against the Neonazicon Junta and its endless wars and bloodletting

[Buzz Clik]

49. Sirius 18 is playing Springsteen's Radio Nowhere right now....

I haven't listened to broadcast music radio in years. That won't change soon.

As for Springsteen being old... Sirius interviewed him and had him play a few tunes when he was doing his Folk Music tour a while ago. The DJ wanted to talk to him about the lyrics to one of the songs, but Bruce couldn't find his glasses and, as a result, couldn't read the lyrics. It was pretty funny.

[Bennyboy]

50. Okay,.........not censorship......

Clear Channel is promoting his tour. There simply is no place to play his music.

the list of artists who do not get new music played on commercial radio is staggering. the Rolling Stones do not get played. Bob Dylan does not get played. eil Young does not get played. The Eagles will not get played. Tom Petty did not get played.

Yes they get played all the time on Classic Rock stations, but new music never gets played there. And most people "of age" do not listen to stations that have nw music on them. they listen to Classic Rock and talk radio and smooth stations. And Bruce's album (not the ones listed above) does not fit the format.

So fuck em. Listen to you community station or Sirius.

[MadBadger]

51. Not entirely true that there is no place

When WPLJ in new york, a station that does 80,90s, and today aired Radio Nowhere, his first single off the new album, they played it multiple times after that because the praise was so high from that song. They played it over Columbia asking them to stop. I also heard the album on Q104.3, the classic rock station in New York. On that station, which is owned by clear channel, there is def a market for springsteen music.

[zbdent]

52. Isn't Ted Nugent older than Bruce?

I'm sure that Nugent's "music" is still played on Clear Channel stations ...

[onenote]

58. If you're sure that Nugent is being played more than Springsteen, you don't live on planet earth

Your certainty is nonsense.

[theboss]

66. Absoltely....Cat Scratch Fever was #2 on the Top Nine at Nine last night

Are you nuts? There is one Nugent song that gets played on Classic Rock Station versus about 20 Springsteen songs.

[Zavulon]

53. There is plenty of rock from older people played on those stations...

...but Springsteen speaks his mind - ergo, HE must go.

A Repug rocker wouldn't be blackballed like this.

[onenote]

56. examples?

[americanstranger]

60. How many Repug rockers are there?

I think you could count them on one hand and have fingers left over.

The big one is Nugent - but I don't think Clear Channel would play his stuff on their pop stations, either.

- as

[Zavulon]

76. Not what I said, though, or at least not what I meant.

I meant to say that if Repug talking points were ever spat out by a rocker, said rocker would get a pass. Speak anti-Repug, and your airplay goes down. That's what I meant.

[theboss]

68. The Classic Rock format is a mess

I saw Billy Joel on one his college lectures about ten years ago and he was bitching about this then.

New "Classic Rock" can't get played on Top 40 because the artist is too old, but it can't get played on Classic Rock because the song is too new. Occasionally, a Lou Reed or Johnny Cash will break onto alternative stations because they are "new" old. But rarely.

Anyway, Starbucks is going to the #1 package music in ten years anyway.

[kwolf68]

69. Welcome to Libertarian world..

where the market is consumed by the largest, and that largest then dictates the market itself, thus preventing the one thing Libertarians wanted all along: CHOICE.

It's a sham. The media is out of control and anti-trust laws are not being followed.

[DinahMoeHum]

74. "Boycott". . .my ass. This is CENSORSHIP.

Boycotting is done from the bottom up - censorship is imposed from above.

"The Boss" don't take shit from the bosses at Clear Channel anyway - hell, he has his own network at Sirius.

:evilgrin:

[Horse with no Name]

77. It's politics. He is being Dixie Chicked. n/t