Working // Class // Art

The three most important figures in the history of modern pop music are:

John Lennon

Ozzy Osbourne

Johnny “Rotten” Lydon

All working class Brits who held deep contempt for the elite and the dis-honest in terms of society, the economy, and intellectual freedom. And, most importantly in terms of the individual human spirit.

Lennon aside from Brian Wilson is The Godfather of Modern Pop Music.

Ozzy for Metal and Hard rock.

John Lydon for Punk Rock.

I believe when a free thinking artist grows up in a systemically oppressive system (at least in terms of an economic hierarchy) such as the UK; a region of our society that claims to be a leader in the free Western-World, and yet is so deeply classist. It has to create a healthy combination of imagination, and anger. Very much akin to the last great troubadours of modern music: The American Southern Blacks during the Early 20th Century-- expressing their struggles, and classist woes through the creation of Jazz and Blues.

Rage and Beauty are the necessary elements to create something truly moving and historically significant. Rejecting either is a shallow attempt at being honest, and you will be a flash in the pan.

These three men were, and are the fucking kitchen.

Icing on the cake. They are all men who value family and being a father. Because although contrary to popular Millennial belief an artist can do the whole West Hollywood//West Village thing (as these men have) and still in the end hold dear the values of their struggling working class mothers’ and/or fathers’ they were raised by in their humble row-houses back “Across The Pond.”

Nights at home with the family, bangers and mash on the table, Benny Hill on the tele- and old time rock n roll on the radio.