IT'S NOT ROCK N ROLL AND I LOATHE IT

NORMALLY when a pensioner moans about young people and their dreadful music, nobody pays any attention. But when that oldie is Bill Wyman it might be a good idea to listen.

The former Rolling Stone, who will be old enough to claim his bus pass this year, has denounced manufactured bands as "having nothing to do with real music".

In a scathing attack on "tweenage" groups, the archetypal wrinkly rocker claims many in the music industry agree with him but are afraid to criticise youthful pop acts.

Wyman, who knows a thing or two about youth after marrying the teenage Mandy Smith in 1989, said: "These boys and girls are not real musicians, they are just pretty young people someone has discovered. They don't write the songs they sing, most of the time they mime when performing live and most can't play an instrument."

In words that are unlikely to cost Hear'Say much sleep, Wyman continued: "You will be surprised just how many people in the music industry agree with me - but they won't talk about it, because they are afraid of adverse publicity as the bands line the pockets of record-industry bosses."

Wyman, of course, continues to produce "real" music with his own band the Rhythm Kings.

The band has just released its fourth album, Double Bill, and started a European tour this week.

Speaking from a mobile phone as he travelled between venues, Wyman was in forthright mood.

He said: "Lots of these bands go on stage with tapes running in the background but it's cheating. If you can't perform live you should go and get another job."

Wyman, whose album is number one in the jazz and blues charts, added: "I saw a bit of Hear'Say on TV once. They are just five plumpish boys and girls who were miming. I didn't see any creativity; it's all a production and of no interest to me. At least when I see Robbie Williams, I think he can sing and play an instrument.

"The music business in the UK is

slowly deteriorating. Record companies see one success and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. It's become obsessive and there's no room for anything else."

Talented musicians over the age of 40 who approached a record- industry boss would have "no chance", according to the man who passed that particular landmark long before some of today's performers were even born.

He said: "The industry is obsessed with youth because it's the type of beans that are selling this week. But it's not good for the industry.

"What it does affect is young talent coming through, because record companies only sign artists that sound like everything that's already in the charts. The real shame is fewer and fewer youngsters play instruments or write their own songs."

But what can an ageing rocker do? Wyman, who celebrates his 65th birthday in October, said: "Young kids don't mind about the music because that's all they hear on radio.

"That's why Tina Turner, the Stones, Elton John and the David Bowies of the world have been around for so long. No one has come forward to replace their brilliant live performances."

And who should know better?

Wyman added: "In the Sixties, mainstream radio stations played different types of music. Now there is no variety."

His own band, a 12-piece, performs for what he thinks are the right reasons. "The whole idea behind the band was to play music that we love. It's also great to work with people I've known for years.

Everyone in the band does it for the same reasons, as I do, to have a good time and send the crowd home with smiles on their faces."

lThe Rhythm Kings perform at the Roadhouse in Covent Garden on 4 June.

Copyright 2001
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