Jack White and Jimmy Page Find Guitar Hero 'Depressing'

[lost]

The music industry remains divided on the benefits of Guitar Hero as Jimmy Page and Jack White speak out against Guitar Hero. White goes as far as to call its success 'depressing'.

"It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that ['Guitar Hero'] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music," White said. He added that although he doesn't try to dictate "which format people should get their music in…if you have to be in a video game to get in front of them, that's a little sad."

Page added that he can't imagine that people are really learning anything significant about playing instruments by playing video games.

More at NME. (http://www.nme.com/news/the-white-stripes/45521)

I reckon it gets young kids to listen to music they would otherwise deem old fashioned or uncool. They would be, of course, wrong.

[DarkDaY]

To an extent I agree, mainly with Page. But then I am older, ald love zeppelin.

[blackzc]

I guess so but what makes zeppelin so special. There is so much music saturation out there. And depressing? led zeppelin is the definition of depressing. Id rather no one hear that doesnt have to myself. Not to piss any one off, but i do have a grudge against the soundtrack to the 70s....trailer park, nasty, dirty...

[Angelus073]

Artist getting all lovey and protective of there art! Get over yourselves!! If it gets people to listen to new stuff then great.

I don't think anyone is under the illusion they are learning to play guitar using the controller but drums are different. I am a drummer and that is a lot more accurate in these game (RB is way better charted that GH on drums though!!).

[Meusli]

I listen to Last FM a lot and I have never been able to get their music to play through it, the nearest is a cover group called Led Zeppang or something. These two musician are up there own arses which is a shame as they both very good at what they do, looks like I will never get to play Led Zeppelin/White strips in a music game. Get with the future guys I am too busy to learn how to play a guitar/drums and have no desire to do so!

[bickle]

In other news, Airline pilots are "extremely sadded" by people playing flight sims rather than going to flight school. Mass murders and space marines are similarly disappointed that youngsters are playing games rather than learning firsthand how to slaughter indiscriminately or taking the time to actually learn how to blow up an alien hive.

[MrPinchy]

Artist getting all lovey and protective of there art! Get over yourselves!! If it gets people to listen to new stuff then great.

I don't think anyone is under the illusion they are learning to play guitar using the controller but drums are different. I am a drummer and that is a lot more accurate in these game (RB is way better charted that GH on drums though!!).

I'm with you on the drums. I think you can get yourself to a pretty decent level of drumming on the RB/GH drumming.

Guitar though, I've had at LEAST 3 friends do the "Oh man, I freakin rule at expert mode on Guitar Hero, I going to buy a guitar." At that point, I just have to shake my head at them and tell them they're idiots and show them my real guitars and point out all the strings and frets...

[John_T._Douche]

There's gotta be some kind of un bunchable panties people can buy. I predict the same over reaction I saw about this on Eurogamer last night.

I'm pretty sure he's just getting nostalgic, saying it's a pity kids don't find out about music any more the old fashioned way by going to thier friends house and listening to some new record or by trading tapes and the like. They're only listening to the tiny slice of music offered by these games, which is very limiting.

You ain't gonna find a great new band of any genre by listening to the music in GH or RB. At best you'll find a classic band that passed you by before.

Of course my opinion on this will change when they release Guitar Hero/Rock Band : Rush.

[Apex]

This is the harsh truth of the situation: Since the game industry has been in existence the music and film industries have treated games like shit.

Fact is, the music industry is dying a slow painful death, everyone who works in the music industry knows it. And they hate it. What you wont hear these days is that the music industry is literally surviving on the money made from live shows and .... , yup you've guessed it, video games. Because it certainly isnt single or album sales. And they hate that even more.

What he really means to say is "Its really sad that, me, a big successful musician, must be lowered to depending on another industry for my paycheck, especially the games industry!". Because musicians have always clamoured to have their music involved with the film industry.

Not only that, but additionally through out ages and particularly the last few decades, musicians have been arrogant about the fact that music has been one of the most influencial mediums on people. Particularly the younger generations of the times. They were the focus, everything else was an accessory, cash in or gimmick. Yup, you've guessed it, this too is changed and they hate that even more! Perish the thought they just might have play second fiddle to another medium! (its the same reason why established artists tend to hate talent shows, X factor or pop idol etc)

No one is going to come out and admit that, but thats what is happening today.

[Rarely Operable Brain]

Introducing people to a wider variety of music, no matter what the format, is never a bad thing.

I think most "intelligent" people understand that using the RB/GH guitar peripheral is NOT the same thing as playing a real guitar. I like RB as a game and only a game - not as an instrument simulation.

[vallancian]

musicians have been arrogant about the fact that music has been one of the most influencial mediums on people. Particularly the younger generations of the times.

i sure as hell hope gaming isnt more influential then music otherwise before we know it we will all have little niko bellics running around and shooting/stabbing people because of the influence gta4 had over them. i dont think gaming is as influential as you say but it does have a huge part to play in most peoples lives and some in the music industry as you said dislike it.

[RUSKULL]

He feels there's nothing to learn, but at the same time acknowledges people are learning about older music through the game. How is that not significant?

Completely contradicted himself.

[Rommel]

It is sad that children aren't learning musical instruments. There is a certain beauty in the effect produced by a real guitar or violin thatis lost in the computer-generated beat. If Paige wants to truly preserve this art, then he should lend his considerable weight to a dev studio that would create a real instructment based video game and not decry the success of the button tapping, fake strumming Guitar Hero series which, at the very least, has the benefit of exposing youngsters to different genres.

[RUSKULL]

It is sad that children aren't learning musical instruments. There is a certain beauty in the effect produced by a real guitar or violin thatis lost in the computer-generated beat. If Paige wants to truly preserve this art, then he should lend his considerable weight to a dev studio that would create a real instructment based video game and not decry the success of the button tapping, fake strumming Guitar Hero series which, at the very least, has the benefit of exposing youngsters to different genres.

Actually, the rate of guitar students has increased incredibly since GH's popularity. So more kids are picking up a real guitar than before, all thanks to a video game.

Not sure about the drums though.

[Zander]

It is sad that children aren't learning musical instruments. There is a certain beauty in the effect produced by a real guitar or violin thatis lost in the computer-generated beat. If Paige wants to truly preserve this art, then he should lend his considerable weight to a dev studio that would create a real instructment based video game and not decry the success of the button tapping, fake strumming Guitar Hero series which, at the very least, has the benefit of exposing youngsters to different genres.

Go ask a music store how guitar sales have done the last couple of years in this post-Guitar Hero era.

Sales are up.

[Ulysses]

More to musical instruments than just guitar, wonder how the other ones are faring.

[zipR]

It's just because real musicians suck at Rock Band:

http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/2008/07/23/rush-plays-rock-band-backstage-at-colbert/

[Dag-Sabot]

They will implode when they hear about karaoke!

[Wyrm]

I have both an electric and an acoustic guitar, neither of which I'm great at playing, but both of which I had before Guitar Hero. Playing it made me want to get better at both, so that is something positive.

[Roc Ingersol]

I don't learn how to run real fast from Madden, nor how to shoot people from Call of Duty. Nor do I have any illusions about being able to physically do those things because I played a video game. Paige is arguing against a straw man out of sheer ignorance.

FFS, kids are now listening to everything from Deep Purple, to Stray Cats to Skynyrd, Maiden, Cream, Thin Lizzy and on. All because of these games. How in the fuck can that be 'depressing'?

Besides, Harmonix is a far more respectful, knowledgeable and trustworthy curator of the music pipeline than MTV or Clear Channel ever were. (Irony in MTV buying Harmonix noted) So who gives a rat fuck if people aren't experiencing music via passive broadcast?

I have a theory that the artists who get most defensive about this shit are simply not gamers. If they were, they'd have to know how retarded their 'concerns' are, right?

[brutalus7]

Ugh. Get over yourself old musical codgers. You didn't say anything when they bought your albums and played air guitar to your songs. You didn't say no to Cadillac buying rights to "Rock and Roll" so now that every time I hear that song I see an Escalade in my head. You didn't say anything when stadiums perverted "Seven Nation Army" into a frenzy-inducing crowd-pleaser.

A game that exposes more and more people to your music, increases interest in the genre, and ultimately gets more people to play (or try to play) guitar, is what you should want as a musician. It is pulling people away from garbage pop and hip-hop, what is your problem with that?

[Valkyrist]

meh, there's a lot of older bands I never liked/appreciated before I really got into rock band. Journey and Rush in particular. I dunno, they were just before my time. There's also several groups I had never heard of until the game that I really like now.

And for that matter, it's not the point. The point is the multiplayer aspect. Ever since I bought the full instrument set, my house is almost never empty. At least one friend is always stopping by for a few rock band songs.

[shadow763]

This just in....Jack White is not the brightest bulb on the tree. More news at 11.

Exposure is exposure, and heaven forbid progression occurs in this world. They didnt even have the internets back then for finding out about music. Should we cease to progress? I love reading statements by artists, they are usually some of the dumbest around. Its hilarious.

[ElfShotTheFood]

Page is just upset because one of his great grandchildren kicked his ass in a videogame.

[Justin_Bailey]

An old man and a weirdo don't understand video games. Fucking film at eleven.

They may both make great music (anyone that dislikes The White Stripes just doesn't like music in my opinion), but the fact that they know jack squat about games (and gamers and the guitar industry for that matter) shouldn't be all that surprising.

[Trickyicky]

In other news, Airline pilots are "extremely sadded" by people playing flight sims rather than going to flight school. Mass murders and space marines are similarly disappointed that youngsters are playing games rather than learning firsthand how to slaughter indiscriminately or taking the time to actually learn how to blow up an alien hive.

I literally lol'd.

[GraveMatter]

Wow, hating on something that's popular by people who think they're better than everyone else....how cliche'.....

[Mantooth]

The White Stripes are going to be in the next Guitar Hero. Kind of hypocritical of Mr. Gillis.

You are exposing people to your music and making some money. Get over it. It is not just kids. I would wager that the average Rockband owner isn't a "kid". I have been able to turn my wife on to a lot of classic rock with GH and RB.

[Gedd]

Irrelevant musicians trolling GH/RB? Lol.

Yeah, I know, JP=LedZepplin. Maybe Page ought to let them use some of his music, then he can complain about how depresssing all the money is.

...if the Beatles can do it, should be a no-brainer.

[vallor]

I bought my first guitar because I thought it would be cool after playing GH1. 2 versions later I now own $3k in music gear - barely scratching the surface of what I could spend - have two guitars and practice (plunk at strings) for 15 minutes to 1 hour a day.

If it helps him feel any better I never bought GH3 (needed the money for my Fender Strat!). I also found some bands that I would never gone out of my way to buy albums from I hadn't first heard one of their songs in GH/RB (Maps, for example... yes I know... but I love the hook!)

[Mr.Green]

Jimmy Page is old and completely brain dead so I can understand his nonsense, but it's depressing to see a guy as young as White being so fucking clueless.

[Wyrm]

Irrelevant musicians trolling GH/RB? Lol.

Yeah, I know, JP=LedZepplin. Maybe Page ought to let them use some of his music, then he can complain about how depresssing all the money is.

...if the Beatles can do it, should be a no-brainer.

The Beatles don't own their songs anymore. In fact, I'm pretty sure Michael Jackson owned the rights to most of them, and he had no problem pimping them out every which way.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have been extremely careful not to let their music become too commercialized (a few obnoxious exceptions notwithstanding). But they own the rights to their shit.

[ScottBravesFan]

It is sad that children aren't learning musical instruments. There is a certain beauty in the effect produced by a real guitar or violin thatis lost in the computer-generated beat. If Paige wants to truly preserve this art, then he should lend his considerable weight to a dev studio that would create a real instructment based video game and not decry the success of the button tapping, fake strumming Guitar Hero series which, at the very least, has the benefit of exposing youngsters to different genres.


You couldn't be more wrong. Guitar Hero and Rock Band have actually gotten kids to listen to rock music and find out more about the bands they like from the game. You also have no idea how many kids decided to pick up the guitar or drums because they loved playing it on Rock Band. The drums especially on rock band are a great way to get people into the idea of playing the instrument because it teaches you rhythm that can be transferred over to the actual instrument.

[Froggy]

Wow, hating on something that's popular by people who think they're better than everyone else....how cliche'.....

Musicians are better than everyone else.

[Froggy]

This just in....Jack White is not the brightest bulb on the tree. More news at 11.

Exposure is exposure, and heaven forbid progression occurs in this world. They didnt even have the internets back then for finding out about music. Should we cease to progress? I love reading statements by artists, they are usually some of the dumbest around. Its hilarious.

I bet he uses apostrophes.