Discussion of the Week: What Element Do You Think Makes Pop Music "Popular?"

In the 60's, it was The Beatles....In the 70's, it was Elton John....In the 80's & 90's, it was Michael Jackson...Now its Beyonce and Rihanna. The question is, What Characteristics Make Up Popular Music? There are plenty of popular songs to have come out in the last 50 years or so, that weren't considered Pop music. Those songs still remained in their own specifically labeled genre. Is it when an act becomes a "larger than life" figure, that they start to be considered as a Pop icon? If that's the case where does Jimi Hendrix fit in that argument......and you better not ever call him a pop artist in the presence of anyone who knows ANYTHING about music. Whatever it is, Pop music has shifted and evolved with the times more than that any of other genre. Nevertheless, it has always been the constant, and depending on what era you're speaking of, what was once labeled Pop music can be called something else entirely different by those who didn't grow up in that era. For instance, would you ever call "The Who" a Pop act?  No, of course not. Most people would now refer to them as a Classic Rock Band.....and just all around freakin' awesome.....(Windmill Guitar, anyone?)..... But in 1965, they probably were considered a Pop Act....who knows.

So I Ask You, "What Element Do You Think Makes Pop Music "Popular?" Is there a common thread throughout the decades that makes the music of its time "a big deal." Maybe its the kids of the era who decide what's popular and what's not....After all, they are the ones that record companies have always tried to influence, as they are the buying public....Or in today's case, "downloading" public.... Let me know what you think by sounding off in the comments.

Until Next Time....