REBELS WITH A CAUSE
Occasionally, an artist or group will come along that’s more interested in getting a message across than attaining a great level of fame and success. Whether this message is delivered in a unique musical statement—as in the folksy rock of R.E.M. or the thoughtful pop of INXS—or in a lyrical statement—as in the political and spiritual leanings of U2 or the slice-of-life narratives favored by Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp—the priority of these artists is music first, money later.
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REBELS WITH A CAUSE
Occasionally, an artist or group will come along that’s more interested in getting a message across than attaining a great level of fame and success. Whether this message is delivered in a unique musical statement—as in the folksy rock of R.E.M. or the thoughtful pop of INXS—or in a lyrical statement—as in the political and spiritual leanings of U2 or the slice-of-life narratives favored by Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp—the priority of these artists is music first, money later.
As it turns out, all of these bands or artists have grown gradually from their humble beginnings to enjoy Top 10 success, and all will continue to be top acts in 1988. But these rebels are unusual in that they fought for the right to make their music on their own terms, regardless of fads or trends—and they won.
