Expert: Geoff Wickens - 6/7/2004

Question
Hello. I am a big music fan, but i do not have a particular artist or band that i am really into. I cant seem to find anyone that i have really gotten into. Like my friend is obsessed with Elton John: fanclubs, newsletters, cds, concerts... I dont want to be as obsessed, but i want someone to be my favorite artist. I was wondering if you could reccomend some artists such as Mariah carey, Michael Bolton, etc. that have plenty of cds and expirience in their musical career. I am only 15 so i do want some type of more recent artists. Thank you so much for all your help. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Francesca.  I was just going over some of the questions that i have been asked and I came upon yours.  Did you find a group or artist that YOU like?  If so, who is he / they / it?  

Lemme know.

Geoff




Thanks for the question.  

As funny as this may sound, I went through this same thing in 1975 (when I was 11).  I figured that everybody had a favourite group, why didn't I?  I figured that Peter Frampton was pretty famous (at that time) and that maybe I sould like his stuff.  Boy, was I wrong!! He had only 1 top 20 song ("Feel Like I Do" - 1974).  I then set out to find what I liked, not just because it is what everybody else liked, but music that I liked.  To this day, my favourite groups are Supertramp, The Eagles & Paul McCartney & Wings.  Most folks in school liked the Rolling Stones, The Who, Rush, ACDC... but not me.  

Music is a very abstract art form.  A group (or solo artist) might be considered by some as having the greatest music of all time while to others, it may sound like absolute crap (the more obvious would be Eminem (and the like).  To me, this music is pure garbage, yet to some folks your age, this is great stuff!!).  Pretty much, my music collection stops around 1985.  I love most of the music that came from the late 60's (68-69) all the way to the early 80's.  In my opinion, 1976 was the best year for music and albums with The Eagles "Hotel California" leading the way followed by Paul McCartney's "Wings Over America" coming in a close second (and yes, I do still own the vinyl LP's ofthose two records.  

So............. I can't really tell you, that is a personal choice based upon what you like...... not what someone else likes.  Be yourself... like a group because YOU like their music, not because it is the "IN" thing to do and only because your friends like it!!

If that was the case in the mid 70's, I would have been forced to like disco!!  (God Forbid!!)

So... go be yourself.  Still be a part of your circle of friends, but don't make personal decisions solely based upon their input.  

You have a brain and you have the right to use it.  Excercise that right!!

Good luck in your search