zachsd

First of all, no one really knows how Mozart dies, and I've actually never heard of that explanation before so I doubt that many people really presume he died that way. That's sort of besides the point though.

I will admit, however, that Mozart was a heavy drinker. This definitely does not mean every great classical composer was a heavy drinker. Bach definitely wasn't. If you think the way Mozart behaved was standard for 1600-1700s composers, or for any musician, than you need to recheck your facts. Basically, using Mozart as a benchmark for what was normal behavior among classical composers is pretty much a waste of time.

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Dr_Rez

I agree, its just a theory, but i presented it to simply show that he indeed drank often. As did Beethoven, and hey are 2 of the most important composers ever seen.

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Bloozcrooz

Sex disguised as love and love disguised as sex. Is what some of the best art was influenced by. Art being music of coarse

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Money has a greater effect than anything. Why? If you don't have money, to 99% of the listeners you don't exist. Do you really think these ****ty top 40s people who write love songs do it because they have trouble getting laid, influence, and drugs?

**** no, they get laid because they do have money. Money gets drugs, money gets sex, and money fuels power in politics. Money is the way to acquire all three, and the most important musicians don't have to worry about acquiring either of them, but once they lose their money, they lose everything.

One person though who made music for reasons beyond money, sex, and drugs is Sun Ra. I mean, he ran a DIY label which pretty much made nothing simply for he purpose he could make the music he wanted to creatively, not what the industry wanted. Furthermore, he was fiercely against drugs, and wanted his band to stay clean, and entirely abstinent while writing music.

He is solid proof that you don't need drugs to create weird music(There are very VERY few people in music who are/were more legit eccentric than Sun
Ra), and that excellent music could be created inspired by the spiritual feeling it generates rather than sex. Albeit, he may have been slightly effected by politics, in general, Sun Ra created music pretty much for no other purpose than the love of music.

Geetarguy

this is a really hard question. I am a composer, and I write based on my emotions. All of these things effect my emotions, so indirectly all of them.

Janszoon

The vast majority of musicians aren't rich though. And the scenario you're describing is something that's only been applicable for the past few decades anyway. When you look at all of the people making music in the world throughout all of human history I think it's very hard to make the case that money had nearly as much influence as other things.

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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

I don't know what the deal was. For some reason this replied turned into a semi-quote... I think my connection cut out while it was transferring...

Any rate, the point I made was in response to Jazsoon's reply to mine. The thing is, this thread is about effect, not about influence. So, to sum it up. In those decades which money was allowed to shape music the entire shape of music was changed. Many genres were flat out killed in mainstream context because they didn't fit radio format. If you go to a foreign country, it's very likely you'll find they've heard many American pop acts. Take say Brazil. I'm guessing you'll find a lot of Brazilians who have probably heard selections from a Madonna CD, but very few Americans/British who can safely say they've had a world of Brazilian music.

Due to that, a very large majority of bands in other countries tend to follow American trends in songwriting out of hopes of connecting with the American industry, or rather, because they have little exposure to anything else. In the same sense, bands inside America try to write catchier hook based songs because they think it'll get them on the radio easier. Money may not be the main motive to pick up the guitar, but once you do, it's definitely something that keeps most people interested.

The vast majority of musicians aren't rich, but the rich ones are the only ones that seem to make an impact with most listeners.

I would like to point out, though, the figure of Sun Ra. To me, he embodies the spirit of evidence that neither drugs, nor sex, are really necessary as aids to making excellent music. He pretty much kept his band disciplined clean, and abstinent while writing songs. Plus, he did it entirely on his own time hand printing/assembling a lot of his album sacrificing a large portion of money so that his creativity would not be hindered. Purpose I believe was his believe that music can be written simply about music, and can be inspired entirely by the mood that it creates. So technically, he's proof that music can be created without the influence of any of these things.

Bloozcrooz

I like your response. I would have to agree with that also.

Geetarguy

thanks

Followeroffashion

Its a bit vague when you say 'politics', it could mean a whole load of different things. At the end of the day I think politics must have the biggest influence considering every war, event, slavery, depression, economical downturn and the resulting 'culture' shapes what musicians not only sing about but what they play and the emotions they apply. How do you think the Blues and Jazz came about? sex drugs and money? no chance.

John Lennon for example, and hence, The Beatles; (although I think McCartney was the genius behind the actual music which made them so successful).

Bowie, Dylan, the list goes on.

It all falls under 'politics', I reckon though that you must refer to it differently.