Bob Geldof: ‘Broadcasters should be ashamed of themselves’
The musician’s comments came during his acceptance speech for a BASCA Gold Badge Award at today’s ceremony, taking place in London. Paying tribute to his “oldest colleague, producer, co-writer and great friend” Pete Briquette – co-founder of his early band the Boomtown Rats, Geldof said they had The Beatles to thank for kick-starting 40 years of “endless magical creativity” in British music.
However, what was once a “massive industry” is “shrinking daily in the newer world,” due to “monopolists” such as Facebook and Google, he said.
“Besides giving Pete and myself a life, [the record industry] gave the creative industries and this country a life. I can’t imagine what Britain had to contribute to the late 20th century if there weren’t four chaps from Liverpool who kicked off the whole ball. I don’t believe that rock and roll would be anything like it turned out to be without the British being there.
“And for whatever reason, the social tectonic plates in this country grinding up against each other does churn out these singular individuals with something new to say all the time, but I don’t think that’s going to continue and that’s sad. The monopolists that are Facebook and Google are not cool at all, they are robbing the world of a very vital ability to distribute and disseminate ideas.
“Broadcasters here should be ashamed of themselves. They are letting what was the sixth largest industry in our time diminish. I don’t see how you get Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood, the movies and the television, without the rock and roll boys and girls. I don’t understand how you get the politics you have without the rock and roll boys and girls. I hope it continues through the rest of my life, but I will wear a badge with great pride saying that in my time, I participated in this great thing that came from this country.”
Also accepting an award, folk singer Kate Rusby joined Geldof in highlighting difficulties musicians face today.
“The thing we’re battling at the moment, is to regain control of the pride of music,” she said. “Companies like Amazon and iTunes have helped independent record labels distribute their music, but they’ve also driven the price of music down and devalued it.
“We’ve been picking our way through and trying to find our way back to regaining control of the price of the music. If we stand together we might be able to help it and do something.”
Other names honoured at the event included publishing exec Peter Cornish, communications man Gary Farrow OBE, classical musician Tim Reynish, composers Anne Dudley and John McLeod, musician Mo Foster, recording artist Alison Moyet, childrens’ TV name Derek Griffiths, A&R and songwriter Nicky Graham and BBC Radio’s Jo Whiley.
Source: Music Week
