How do you know when a band has crossed over into icon status and become more than the music they make? What takes the likes of Jimi Hendrix from that of an elite instrumentalist to someone whose face adorns the T-shirts of people that have never picked up a guitar?
The obvious answer is hit records and the inevitable outpouring of attention they get from mainstream media outlets. For example, when the Beatles broke America, they flew into New York having sold millions of records in the UK. From there they were whisked off to the Ed Sullivan Show and the rest, as they say, is history. Almost overnight, the Beatles were big in the world’s biggest music market and it was down to record sales and TV exposure.
However, the world has changed since 1964. Yes, appearing on TV and in newspapers is important, but not as important as it used to be. We live in a world of online technology and instant gratification. People want more access to more things and all of the time.
As such, artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix have entered new realms. They’ve crossed the precipice and become woven into the fabric of society thanks to a generation of digital technology. What does this mean in context? How are the Beatles just as popular as ever, even among people who weren’t even alive when they were famous?
Archives and Algorithms Keep Artists Alive
Platforms such as YouTube have been instrumental in turning musical icons into modern-day legends. Search the site’s database and you can listen to every hit from every artist. Not only that, you can find interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and even demo tracks of famous songs.
Basically, YouTube is a digital archive that’s keeping the legends alive. And, perhaps most significantly, the algorithms are opening the doors for new listeners. For example, type “the Beatles” in the search box and you’ll be shown a variety of results.
Let’s say you click “Don’t Let Me Down”. While you’re listening to that song, you can look at a selection of related videos. From Beatles’ tracks to songs by the Eagles, Chuck Berry, and the Animals, they’ll all be suggested options that share similarities through genre, era, or stature.
Over time, YouTube’s algorithms learn the types of songs you like and will suggest an even broader range of options. This can take you from one artist to another and open all manner of previously hidden doors. Another way you can discover artists and experience the best of the music industry’s finest is through playing online/video games.
A lot of iconic celebrities, especially musicians, are immortalized through the gaming realm either through symbolism synonymous with the figures (for instance, Cleopatra’s likeness is used for many online games) or through their music. It can be difficult to find a place to start if you’re not familiar with online gaming platforms, but luckily, there are helpful sites that offer a comparative breakdown of different online gaming, their competitive welcome bonuses, and reviews, including that of Bonusfinder UK. A prime example of a game that can be found through this directory, in keeping with the iconic musician theme, is that of the Jimi Hendrix slot game available online through NetEnt.
The game offers the standard components to be expected from a slot game, in the form of five reels, 20 paylines, and six bonus features. However, it appeals to musical folk in that some of Hendrix’s most famous songs accompany the gameplay. Licensing deals between the music companies and the developers mean you can spin the reels and listen to hits such as Foxy Lady at the same time.
From Games to Viral Trends
The final way that iconic artists become mainstream megastars is through social media. The mere mention of a popular band or artist can trigger a succession of social media posts. Before you know it, a topic is trending and it’s gone viral.
Once that happens, people who’ve never heard of an artist before will be exposed to them and inundated with reminders of their existence across numerous platforms. This keeps them in the public eye and strengthens their place within modern culture.
The bottom line here is that the internet has made legends even more legendary. What’s more, it’s done it in some unexpected ways. Even if you don’t see the Beatles on TV anymore, they’re just as big as ever and that’s thanks to the preservatory powers of digital technology.
