Music Censorship.....

There was an interesting article on The Quietus website a couple of weeks ago about re-writing history. Basically it related to a glam rock compilation that had come out but didn't have Gary Glitter on it opened a debate on whether this was right or wrong to do, and the implications thereof. It is also relevant this week as Roy Harper is being charged with sex offences too.

So it begs the question - we can't rewrite history. So do we pretend it never happened ? Just don't speak about it ? Separate the person from the art ? I think that this is something that has to be faced head on. I mean, why was Glitter not on the compilation ? To protect possible victims ? The record company didnt want the possible negative publicity ? Royalty payments ? If it was the latter then surely royalties could be diverted or stopped or whatever. Can we separate the person as a musician from the person who committed the crimes - I think yes we can and we have to. Gary Glitter made some great singles, so to forget this and only focus on what he has become infamous for is like some kind of moral thought police telling us that it has been decided that we cannot listen to him anymore. What will happen if Roy Harper is convicted ? Such a serious and immensely well-respected musician (his latest album was Uncut's Album of the Month recently). Will he be painted over ?

On another level (btw remember Another Level ? Crimes against music I think), it leads to considering what crimes are acceptable and what are not, and why some people seem to get away with it.  Wasn't R Kelly convicted of a sex-related crime ? I think his records are still played. Why ? Did he have a great lawyer ? Is he more profitable to the record company ? If someone is convicted of assault or a violent attack, do we still hear the records ? Yes. Why ? Some crimes are okay ? There is some kind of scale of acceptability ? Yes. Don't misunderstand me, I know that not all crimes are equal. But who decides this ?? The media ? God help us ! Will the history of Radio 1 be re-written too ? I expect so and it shouldn't be. Life is not black and white. People are not black and white (you know what I mean), we are way more complicated than that, and this is a complicated issue. It won't go away. But it seems "they" (whoever "they" are) would want to forget anything good ever happened.