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Musician Heroes
Musician Heroes are composers and singers whose meaningful lyrics, music, and concerts have benefited others. The MonaLisa Twins are heroic artists. Their music like Waiting For The Waiter, I Bought Myself A Politician, Jump Ship are good examples.
Here is a list of others from history.
First is Paul McCartney:
Heroes have many admirable traits including: bravery, strength or innovativeness. A hero is someone who will stand up for what they believe in, inspire others, or change someone’s life for the better.
Paul McCartney is a symbol of freedom for the world because of the songs he has written and the message he sends to the people who are trapped in a cage of despair. In Russia there were very strict rules in the 60’s about what the citizens could and couldn’t do. For example, listening to The Beatles wasn’t allowed. The music The Beatles produced made the youth in Russia feel free from the limitations of the government. Ali Littman stated: “Beatles music contained everything young people felt was lacking – joy, spontaneity, beauty and rhythm”(Littman, 47).
Paul McCartney is a hero because he made the youth of Russia feel like they were free again when they listened to his music because his music gave their life a new purpose. Paul McCartney was also a hero to 9/11 victims who were attacked on that tragic day; he wrote a song for them that reminded people to have hope: “Talkin’ about freedom / I’m talkin’ ’bout freedom / I will fight / For the right / To live in freedom / Anyone tries to take it away / They’ll have to answer / ‘Cause this is my right” (Paul McCartney, Freedom). In this song addressed to 9/11 victims, McCartney not only talks about how they will not give up their freedom to those who are trying to take it away, but he also gave all of the proceeds from this song to organizations that helped support the victims.
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John Lennon:
A hero is someone with a passion to change the world and to influence it for the better, they must have strong desire and a drive to constantly try to impact the world for the good.
John Lennon used his passion for human welfare as an outlet to speak out and advocate for world peace, making him a man of action much like a superhero.
Through his passion for others, Lennon embodies the caring nature of a superhero. Nevertheless, Lennon showed passion for others through his music as well. When writing his hit song “Imagine”, Lennon discusses the current events that are going on through his ingenious lyrics: “Imagine no possessions/ I wonder if you can/ No need for greed or hunger/ A brotherhood of man/ Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you” (Lennon, “Imagine”). Lennon uses his passion about world peace and tries to show to the listener what his ideal world would be like.
By using his musical ability as an outlet to speak out on real life issues, Lennon allows the listener to peer into the world of peace and harmony, hoping to give them a new perspective of what the world could be. Lennon paints a picture to the listener of a world without violence and suffrage, and voices it as the world that he dreams to live in. He uses his passions to reach out to people and to show them what they are able to achieve when they help one another and when they all seek to care about the well-being of one another.
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In the 70s and 80s, John Lennon was stylized as the intellectual Beatle, as an icon of the peace movement. I don’t know if he saw himself that way. Probably he didn’t care either. He took up topics that moved him, that were close to his heart. Many lyrics of his songs reflect his personal development and biography. And since he had to work his way up as an underdog, he knew exactly what it meant to rebel against social norms. And yes he had a big mouth and a healthy self-confidence even as a young person. Things that can be very helpful when you want to speak your mind openly. Sometimes heroes don’t want to be heroes at all, they just speak out what moves many people. That makes them a heroe.
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Here is another example of music artist heroes taking a stand on what they believe in and using their music to make a difference.
Here is Pink Floyd with their first new original song since 1994. Lovely guitar work by David Gilmour.
How (members of) Pink Floyd reunited to record a song for Ukraine
When the invasion of Ukraine began, singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk cut his U.S. tour short, returned home and took up arms to defend his homeland.
A few days later, the Boombox singer posted a clip on Instagram that showed him in military fatigues, a New York Yankees baseball cap and a rifle performing “The Red Viburnum In The Meadow,” a Ukrainian protest song written during World War I.
“A little motivation from the leader of the group ‘Boombox’ Andriy Khlyvnyuk,” he wrote.Now, rock legends Pink Floyd have taken Khlyvnyuk’s vocals and composed a charity single around it — the band’s first new original music since 1994’s “Division Bell.”
The track, “Hey Hey Rise Up,” features 90 seconds of David Gilmour’s string-bending solo, and Floyd drummer Nick Mason. (Needless to say, estranged bassist Roger Waters is noticeably absent.)The title references the last line of the protest song: “Hey hey, rise up and rejoice.”
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The Heroic Style: Beethoven’s Musical Revolution
“Beethoven would prove that music alone could embody the eternal struggle between darkness and light and chart the course from despair to victory. He would prove that music could be heroic.
Beethoven lived during an era in need of heroes: the epoch of the Napoleonic Wars was one of extraordinary violence and upheaval.
Beethoven had a love-hate relationship with Napoleon; he initially admired his military genius and revolutionary ideals, but was later disillusioned as Napoleon revealed himself to be a tyrant. As Napoleon’s armies marched across Europe, Beethoven remarked that “It’s a pity I don’t understand the art of war as well as I do the art of music. I would conquer him!”
Before Beethoven, music was largely seen as a pleasant pastime, a diversion. After Beethoven, music would be increasingly considered the most profound of the arts. He took the refined, elegant, “powdered-wig” musical style of the eighteenth century and exploded it with unpredictable rhythms, daring harmonies and a broader scope. What Homer’s epics were for the ancients, Beethoven’s symphonies would be for modern times.
There are few individuals who truly change the course of history. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is one of those individuals. There is music before Beethoven and music after Beethoven; the revolution wrought by his works continues to resonate through music made today. From later classical composers to Hollywood film scores and even rock ’n’ roll, Beethoven’s influence is everywhere.”
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Speaking of music heroes, imagine standing on the sidewalk and Paul McCartney sticks his head out the window to wave at you as his motorcade drives by.
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Creedence Clearwater Revival:
“While John Fogerty and CCR liked to sing about lazy, country Southern living, the group was also quite political in its tone. It tackled issues of racism, poverty and oppression.”
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
“As a foursome, it put out “Ohio,” one of the great protest songs of all time. An attack on then-President Richard Nixon and the national guard-shootings of students at Kent State University. Plus, 1970s’ Déjà Vu featured the hit “Teach Your Children,” a song about the effects of war on children. On their own, particularly, Neil Young, the four have always used music to get their political message heard. After all, they were stars of the 1960s.”
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U2:
Political history and awareness has always been part of U2’s stellar catalog. From the early protest days of War (“Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year’s Day”) and right up until the latest version of Songs of Experience (2017). Bono and Co. having no problem voicing their take on the political climate of the moment and solidarity, but their off-stage activism also makes U2 perhaps the most socially conscious band on the planet.
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Bob Dylan:
“13 octobre 2016
Since the 1960s, Bob Dylan has created music that addressed the problems of the times, from the Civil Rights Movement to the War in Vietnam.
Today he was honored as the first American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature since Toni Morrison won it in 1993. Many were surprised that a music artist captured the most coveted award in literature. It’s true that Dylan doesn’t fit the mold of the “serious author,” but his lyrics are skillfully crafted, defy cliché, and have influenced artists in all fields (he has also written books).
While Dylan’s style is rooted in local folk music traditions, the content of his lyrics is exceedingly global. Many of his songs still carry weight in 2016.”
‘The Times They Are a-Changin,’ Dylan went all out and combined the folk protest movement of the 1960’s with the civil rights movement. The shorter verses piled upon one another in a powerful way, and lyrics like, “There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’ / It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls / For the times they are a-changin’,” are iconic Dylan statements that manage to transcend the times.”
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This one has to be my favourite Bob Dylan song. I felt goosebumps singing this in grade 5 music class. The lyrics and melody was so beautiful.
“This Bob Dylan protest song became an anthem for the civil rights era and was a direct influence on Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come.’ While some of the questions are more open-ended like, “How many roads must a man walk down / Before you call him a man?,” other lyrics leave no room for interpretation like, “How many times can a cannonball fly / before they’re forever banned?“
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At the height of the Cold War, no single individual defrosted the ice cold relations for a moment more than Van Cliburn. He won the 1958 coveted Tchaikovsky Piano Competition and won the hearts of not only the Americans but the Russians as well with his gift of music. It was music that could bring the two nations together in a moment of peace and harmony.
“America has never produced a more broadly popular classical instrumentalist than Van Cliburn. The pianist wasn’t just an exceptionally communicative, beloved performing artist; he became a kind of folk hero edging into Texas-sized myth, a goodwill ambassador for the USA, a symbol of freedom, generosity and vast talent that reflected the country’s best image — in its own eyes and those of others around the world.
“Van Cliburn would half-close his eyes when he played — he was obviously feeling the music,” recalls Alla Gurvich, who was an 18-year-old high-school student in Leningrad when the American pianist won Russia’s inaugural Tchaikovsky Competition in April 1958, against all odds at the height of the Cold War.
She witnessed his appearances on television from Moscow, as well as heard the competition performances via radio. “Van Cliburn was a warm presence — such charisma he had, this tall, skinny, very nice young man,” she adds, pronouncing his last name Kleeburn in the accent she retains as a New Yorker who immigrated to the United States with her family in 1975. “And you could hear his persona in his playing — it was also warm, and so emotional. When he played the Tchaikovsky concerto, he played this beautiful Russian music to the Russian people, for us. You could feel this, and it endeared him to everyone, even Khrushchev, the Russian premier. People would call Van Cliburn Vanyechka, our term of endearment for Ivan.”
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Witness the power of music break down the barriers that divide nations. Almost 30 years later Van Cliburn plays for US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. Hear what Reagan had to say about that power of music.
https://youtu.be/bDCdH7AcuWU?t=1546
Van Cliburn, one of the greatest ambassadors of peace of the 20th century and a Musician Hero.
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For your pleasure, here is the Van Cliburn performance in Moscow in front of Krushchev. Witness how the power of music can transcend boundaries that separate people, and bring them together in peace and harmony. The world needs more of this.
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Glass Tiger with many songs but the 3 standout from them for me are : Thin Red Line, Diamond Sun , Stand Up
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Jacki, great songs! Thanks. I remember Thin Red Line, was a big hit in the 80s. I really like the 80s sound and feel of the song, as well as Diamond Sun, I like the instrumentation, very U2ish. The Thin Red Line really highlights the insanity and futility of war with lives lost on both sides for a line in the sand, like the trench warfare in World War I.
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I’m really loving the direction of MLTs new music; there is so much meaning and depth in the music, the melody, lyrics, singing, and instrumentation are all amazing . In “Jump Ship”, and “I Bought Myself A Politician” they show us they are true heroic artists like Lennon/McCartney, Dylan, and Beethoven, with something to say and stand for through their music, to influence a positive change in the current generation. I think there is no greater virtue than that to use ones art and talent to shine a light on world issues to influence a positive change and make lives better. It’s great artists, musician heroes like Mona and Lisa, who will bring change through their art like in the last scene of “Waiting For The Waiter”, legendary artist John Sebastien is the one who brings the change.
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Hi Jung, once again an exciting and explosive topic.
I wouldn’t necessarily declare musicians heroes just because they publish critical or political lyrics. But it is brave to write such music. As soon as such a song appears, it is exposed to public criticism and this is not always benevolent and has almost ended many a musician’s career. Already the bands of the 60s have made acquaintance with it. All the more courageous to bring out such a song with a personal message. It also has a lot to do with responsibility when a well-known musician sends songs with messages, after all, he reaches millions of listeners and should therefore be aware of what his ideas can cause. For better or for worse. And I find it visionary to publish songs that do not necessarily correspond to the currently popular opinion. Sometimes it only became apparent after many years that a musician had hit the mark with a certain song or message.
Here is one such visonary song that has regained relevance in a sad way. And I totally agree with the message of this song: there is not only good and evil, shadow and light or only two sides of a coin. Life is not so easy to simplify, even if the headlines of the newspapers want us to believe it.
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