I was reflecting on this after seeing the death reported yesterday of Ronan O'Reilly who set up and operated the UK's first offshore pirate radio station. I guess he was someone who underpinned the 60s and 70s music revolution. But it wasn't just new genres of greeat music that emerged, there was a hope and change that emerged after WWII from a type of positive anarchy of that period? (And, ok, there were some bad things as well as the many positive things.) Perhaps, even though they're not as good now as they were in their prime, it's good that people like McCartney, John, Jones and the Stones took place: it carried forward that feeling of change and hope to new generations during another difficult time? Perhaps its not the quality of their performance but the fact they participated and what was said by some of them such as McCartney? I'm normally the cynic but maybe it's only right that knights of the realm such as Sir Paul, Sir Mick, Sir Elton and Sir Tom participate and perhaps it's more in that capacity than as musicians they assist in helping and uniting people ... 🙂 Otherwise are we saying such honours have no value or responsibilities? Debate?
Michael Ixer ● 2240d