How did all this start? Well, it started with a book - which is available everywhere - just saying.
What does the lead singer of Status Quo think about global warming? Does the lead singer of Deep Purple think we’re doing a good job of caring for the planet?
These questions and more are tackled by going to the source and asking them. Over eighty music stars, past and present, are quizzed on their opinions about religion, aliens, politics and of course, the issues of climate change.
Why? To raise awareness about the plight the planet is in. Nothing speaks to humans more than music and the influence these legends of rock and pop have is immense.
Featuring folk from Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Status Quo, Genesis, The Who, Toto and tons more!
Funny, thought provoking and eye opening, Minds Behind the Music is a book unlike any other. So settle down with a nice environmentally friendly cup of tea and enjoy.
Find out more about the Minds Behind the Music project HERE
Why did I start this project? Trust me, over the past few months I’ve often considered this question. Music managers, pop agents, sarcastic rock stars and the endless chasing have more than once seemed like a nightmarish battle of wills. But if we can’t stand up for what we believe in then why bother getting out of bed in the morning?
It all started after I’d finished making a documentary about overpopulation. I popped on the old musical machine, hit the random button and the Queen song, “Is This The World We Created?” came on. It’s a truly beautiful song delivered brilliantly by Freddie. The words struck me like no other. We claim to be the most advanced species on planet Earth, and yet if we were to judge on the levels of destruction, we’d be the worst. There and then I decided I had to do something. In my past life I was a marketing man. Yeah I know, line up to take aim. My head spun, I must be able to use some of my rubbish skills to help out our planet and all the suffering we create!
And then it struck me! I had absolutely no idea what to do. Needless to say I was in a bit of a mood that afternoon. And so off to bed I went. I woke up with the whole idea in my head. Music stars have a massive amount of influence in the world. I mean, why else would people wear hoodies and a certain brand of training shoes? It’s a selfie and selfless world we often live in. If I could possibly get through to a few musicians and get them to give me interviews then maybe people would read a book. If I went for rock, pop and folk stars I’d be getting a wide range of people interested. Even if they bought the book and went straight to the chapter with their music hero in, it would be worth while. The questions would have to be interesting of course and so why not ask them stupid questions? Like do you believe in aliens? Obviously I was perfectly capable of coming up with stupid questions. Boy was I surprised with the answers.
And so, that morning I put together an email and opened up the web browser. I already knew a few music stars and I tried them first. Within an hour I had responses. Within a week I had dozens of stars all saying yes Phil! Blimey. I have to say it, the response from the music world has been amazing and I want to thank each and every one of them for putting in the effort. Apart from those who didn’t of course. I just deleted them from my play lists. You know who you are. Of course, you can always get in touch now and we’ll consider you for the follow up book.
Ian Anderson is an icon of folk-rock music the world over. His voice and flute go together like, well, like his voice and flute. There’s no comparison. For over fifty years he has been entertaining us, but it all started around 1968 when Jethro Tull rose out of the flames of two blues rock bands. Ian’s uniqueness is matched by his ability to play almost any instrument, write cross-genre hit songs and pull funny faces.
Since then Jethro Tull (or Tull for short) have released 30 studio and live albums, sold more than 60 million records, played more than 3000 concerts in 40 countries and have fans in every single country in the world and some on Mars, honest.
So it was with much trepidation that this thick as a brick author managed to ask him a few thick questions.
As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel? Despairing. mostly. But I am an optimistic-enough soul to want to believe that humanity may adapt to survive and prosper. Eventually.
Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better? Of course. In our daily lives, in the smallest of ways and through the kindest of acts.
What one cause would you say you feel most associated with and why? Whether it’s equality, poverty, politics, the environment or other? The environment, primarily, since so many other "causes" have their profound effect ultimately on the physical state of the planet. Animal rights a close second.
If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them? OK - Let's take a vote.
And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”: If there's a God in the sky, looking down What can he think of what we've done To the world that He created? He, She, It or whatever the primal force may wish itself to be called, probably needs a good holiday break from all of us. The last verse of a yet unreleased Tull track, "Mine Is The Mountain" reads:
So think of me fondly in spite of the raging, the ranting, the raving, the threatening tone. For I am the father, the power and the glory and now, for God's sake, kindly leave me alone. Mine is the mountain.
