My Response: Elton John Accuses American Radio Stations of Being Ageist For Not Playing His Tunes
I recently came across this article in which discusses what Elton John thinks about American radio stations barely playing his music. In the article, it states, "The English rocker, who turns 70 next month, hasn't seen his songs played extensively on U.S. radio since debuting singles from "Songs from the West Coast" 15 years ago," Heatstreet reported." This is a huge problem to me, and for many others. I have a lot of thoughts about this, and I'm sharing them. Not just becuase it's Elton John and I'm a big fan, but because I'm a young person, at 17, and I think my opinion qualifies for this topic. Becuase older artists, like Elton, basically suffer. Radio stations don't want to play their music because they are older and no longer hip and cool. Unless you have a designated classic rock radio station, even the regular rock stations don't want to play Elton or other older rockers very much anymore. And, if they do, it's typically the same 3 hits over and over. Many of those people will say, "Elton John and those rockers have all had their chance of fame and spotlight. Now it's time for a newer age and generation of music." And some may even dare to say, "New music from older acts, like Elton John, suck. Nobody wants to hear that." Well how would you know if you don't even allow their material to be played? How does anybody in the world know that their new music exists if they're not Elton John fans themselves? Radio should introduce people to new music and help the listeners discover what they like. And then, just becuase Elton John and other artists aren't in their heyday anymore doesn't mean that they have to be basically neglected. People are horribly ageist against them. People assume that you can't rock anymore when you reach a certain age. All these assumptions are disgusting and need to stop. Many artists actually improve with age as they gain more knowledge, years and wisdom of music! And possibly the most important and crucial thing about this all, is that being agist, and not playing older acts means that you're teaching the younger artists that they will no longer be worthy and their career will essentially suck and end as they grow older. It's almost like a set-rule. Becuase the younger artists whom actually have talent- being ageist to them is basically saying, "Hey you're a great now, but when you're 40, fuck you!" What would be the purpose of recording material anymore? I have known radio was ageist ever since I knew the radio existed. And for this reason, many people, who realize this fault like me, just want to resort to YouTube, CDs, Spotify, and other music platforms/websites to listen to music because radio doesn't suffice anymore. Which we shouldn't have to do. None of us should have to dread the radio. Of course, I'm not asking to hear Elton John on the top 10 or 100 pop hits or whatever, but for chrissake, the rock stations could at least play some songs from his new album "Wonderful Crazy Night". The only people who have heard that album are people who are already Elton John fans... how do you introduce the younger generation to him if you refuse to play his music because he is 70?
The deal is this: Teach young people that your age and the music you listen to knows NO BOUNDARIES right now! Put Elton John's new songs out on the radio. Extensive airplay. He deserves it! He is still standing with us today and he has survived over 50 years of making extraordinary music! Same with many other classic rockers. Instead of PUNISHING Elton for becoming 70 by not playing his music, reward him, celebrate his achievements. Play his music and mean it. He deserves it no less than any other artist of any other race, gender, or age. I hope to see these radio station change their way of thinking very soon.