Highway to hell
I'm sure SNP MSP Christine Graham has the best of intentions with her motion to recognise the achievements of AC/DC.
Everyone is allowed to let their hair down now and again and if a blast of Highway to Hell does it, good luck to you.
But a formal motion in the Scottish Parliament entitled "AC/DC, we salute you"?
Surely enough to make an ageing rocker's hair curl with embarrassment (then again, since this is a band whose 53 year old lead guitarist insists on wearing a school uniform on stage, embarrassment clearly doesn't come into it.)
Surely the band's achievements are best summed up by the 200 million records sold around the world, not some formal forelock tugging back home.
It's just not rock and roll.
Then again, this is just the latest government attempt to simultaneously nail pop policy and get down with the kids.
The problem is that pop music and policy are words which should never be in the same sentence.
By all means, offer support at grass roots level, helping young musicians access instruments, tuition and rehearsal spaces.
There's scope for extra funding for showcase tours which take bands and musicians out of the cities and off to parts of the country ill-served by the big promoters.
I don't even have an issue with politicians talking to organisations like T in the Park about their expansion plans, since their event is now so huge it encroaches on all sorts of issues, like transport and environment.
But when it comes to the music itself, politicians are advised to leave well alone.
Fans will choose their bands themselves and for ACDC, the biggest accolade is that they're still touring 30 years on and fans still want to see them.
PS The National Theatre of Scotland have asked me to point out there have been no formal complaints about the sectarian songs in Be Near Me.
Their press officer says: "The information we provided from the anti-sectarian charity nil by mouth was not reactive or defensive.
"We thought that it promoted a positive message and we had sought advice from the charity so it seemed fitting to provide information about what they do in this field."
Not London’s South Bank, but the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow - every bit as lively in cultural terms as its namesake. I’m Pauline McLean, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland’s arts correspondent, and I’ll be blogging here about arts events and issues happening across the country.
Comment number 1.
At 20th Jan 2009, Scot_in_Alabama wrote:How funny to read of this. Back in the mid 70's I was the resident DJ on the Radio Clyde Disco Roadshow and we actually had AC/DC tour and do a number of gigs with us (around 1977 as I recall). Back then they were barely known and little did we realize how huge they would become - but you could feel and see their energy - especially Angus! I had a great time back stage with him - he was a riot. I remember we did a number of pretty small venues such as Grangemouth Town Hall - now they would fill a huge stadium with fans.
I think it's great that they are being recognized this way. Scotland was one of their earliest overseas gigs. Very fitting.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 20th Jan 2009, raven2751 wrote:And what’s so wrong with good quality music being mentioned, AC/DC and other bands like them are much more enjoyable than the constant tripe that is always on the radio and tv
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 20th Jan 2009, jamesscotland wrote:That's a very strange "P.S.".
Do you mean that when you said in your previous post "There've already been a flurry of complaints about the use of sectarian song in the play -a bundle of flyers were in evidence on the bar at Friday's first night opening..." you had no evidence of any actual complaints, but were just (mistakenly) guessing that the "bundle of flyers" meant there must have been?
If so, isn't a clearer correction called for?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 20th Jan 2009, Wicked_Witch_of_the_West_Coast wrote:Does this woman not have more important things to deal with? Or is this another desperate attempt to get herself in the news, like her failed attempt to have Mary Queen of Scots disinterred and buried in Scotland, a country that rejected her??
For the record, I am an AC/DC fan, but come on!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 20th Jan 2009, laverda180 wrote:I think it`s a great idea.Whenever AC/DC played Scotland they were always very happy to bask in their Scottish roots and just because Bon, Angus and Malcome were young boys when their families emigrated to Austraila it does not mean that we should not honour them. I,for one,am very proud that they are Scots born just like all the other Scots who left these shores and made an inpact in the world in banking, industry,politics.entertainment etc.
ps
see you at Hampden.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 20th Jan 2009, enneffess wrote:Christine Grahame is supposed to be dealing with serious issues. But once more she goes for trivia.
I love the band.
But recognition of AC/DC is not going to give Scotland anything.
Alex Salmond needs to sort her out pronto.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 22nd Jan 2009, newsjock wrote:A formal tribute to AC/DC in Holyrood?
It just shows that the Scottish Parliament is nothing more than a "Toon Cooncil".
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)