Müller-Westernhagen: Marketing is not an artistic approach
Shortly before his 75th birthday and the release of a new album, musician Marius Müller-Westernhagen ("Mit Pfefferminz bin ich dein Prinz", "Zeitgeist") has criticized developments in the music industry. "In my time as a young man, music was created on the street, movements, new music styles came from the street," the singer told the news agency dpa in Berlin. "Today, music genres also come about through the influence of the industry. So people are practically trying to control art."
Müller-Westernhagen is considered one of the most successful musicians in Germany. He will be 75 years old on December 6. Before that, the album box set "Westernhagen 75" with 75 songs by the singer from 1974 to 2023 will be released this Friday (December 1).
"Really valuable things can only come from you and not from the opinions of marketing people," said Müller-Westernhagen. "That is not an artistic approach." He sees serious differences to the music of the past. "These are all things that didn't interest my generation, but we wanted to express ourselves," said the singer. "We thought we had something to say and we were going to say it and it didn't matter who liked it or didn't like it or whether it was correct or not." He believes this is "a healthier approach".
People often look to the music industry for the birth of new genres, but as Marius Müller-Westernhagen noted, music once emerged organically from the streets. Despite his success, he fears that the influence of marketing is leading to controlled art, emphasizing that true value can only originate from the artist themselves.
Müller-Westernhagen's criticisms of modern marketing in music extend to the pop and rock genres, where artists today may prioritize industry approval over self-expression. This contrasts starkly with his generation's approach, which valued individuality and artistic freedom above all.
Source: www.dpa.com
