The relationship between Broadway and Pop(ular) music . . . has reversed.
Last week's article had me thinking more about the state of music on Broadway.? (And you too, based on these comments .)
We know that musicals based on or infused with music made popular on the radio is more prevalent . . . and more popular . . . now than ever.
First, we must remember that the biomusical or jukebox musical isn't a new form.? Using music to make a musical was around well before Mamma Mia.??
Crazy For You, Ain't Misbehavin', Forever Plaid, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Buddy, Leader of The Pack, Big Deal, Bubblin' Brown Sugar and lots more.? The Beggar's Opera, produced in 1728, has been called the O.G. jukebox musical.?
So this ain't nothin' new.
But that's not what I was thinking.??
There was a time when music from musicals was all over the radio.? Showtunes WERE popular music.? So you'd hear tunes by Gershwin, Berlin, Kern and more all over the radio . . . and television.? In fact, here's a bit of musical theater trivia for you . . .
When The Beatles made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show . . . the most important moment in the British invasion . . . do you know what they sang?
They did "All My Loving."? They also did "She Loves You."
And then they did . . . "'Til There Was You" from The Effin' Music Man!
Can you believe that?? In their breakthrough moment . . . they did a song from a Broadway musical.??
Imagine Taylor Swift's first appearance on The Tonight Show.? You think she does “Out Tonight” from Rent? ? No way.
We've had some super popular musicals in the past several decades.? But not since the "Memory" days has anything truly gotten onto the radio (and even that was more of an adult contemporary).? Hamilton got a little play with its Grammys appearance.??
But think about all the original shows that have been seen by millions . . . that have never had a song on the radio . . . never mind on the pop charts.?
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That's a long way from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.??
But the relationship between popular (or radio music) and musicals still remains.? The tides just flow in the opposite direction now.?
We make musicals based on what has been on the radio more often than ever before.? Instead of music heard IN musicals making it to the radio first.?
What happened?? Tastes changed.? Who listens to the radio has changed.? Technology changed at warp-speed . . . music could get made and marketed much faster than a musical.?
But it's important to acknowledge that the relationship is there . . . and it's an important one, just different now than when that relationship began.? What's the takeaway???
First, I don't ever try to "get my musical’s music on the radio."? It'd be like winning the lottery . . . and using the winnings to buy a radio station and force them to play it.??
Second, the music in your musical must resonate with your audience . . . whoever you want that audience to be.????
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Founder, International Publisher & Producer, GlobalMusicDrama Ltd & Manon in Manhattan LLC, Special Education Teacher, Vocal coach
3 个月An important connection between the Beatles and Broadway was at least mr Torrie Zito, who was earlier a kind of mr Music Broadway. He orchestrated John Lennon's original "Imagine". In my GlobalMusicDrama's catalogue there is one great unperformed musical orchestrated by him...
Multiplatform Content Production|Episodic & Feature Film Content, Live Events/Performances, Festivals|Go-To Team Member|Building Brands/Fan Experiences Experienced Line Producer, Associate Producer, Production Specialist
3 个月Interesting ????
Freelance actor, director and writer
3 个月Very interesting observations in the article. I think there is one more reason why musicals are not on radio anymore. Musicals themselves have changed since '20, '30. and '40. The structure of Gershwin, Berlin and similar musicals (and their music accordingly) is a lot different from Webber, Sondheim, Les Mis or most other hit musicals in past few decades. I'm talking of course about hit musicals who have original music written for them.
Casting Director at The Gateway: PACSC
3 个月Astute observation on knowing who you want that audience to be in order to come see said musical!
"Radio" died when corporations began programming instead of people ... "consultants" told "owners" what to play for profit ... now with very few owners left, the consultants are now algorithms that say where the profit is ... why hasn't Sirius XM started a "Broadway music" channel, which could also play the jukebox musical hits) ... why doesn't Meta and Google have better ways to target advertising towards consumers who like "music heard on Broadway" ... Spotify, Apple and other streamers don't offer search and playlists for people who like "music heard on Broadway" ... I think one part of the reason is "Broadway Music" is thought of as one thing, possibly considered "old," and "music heard on Broadway" is everything from originals to classics ... the reason it is difficult to reach an audience interested in new music is that traditional methods are ancient history and new methods need to be invented or adapted to solve that problem ... who will pay for a streaming radio network playing "music heard on Broadway"? ... like Hamilton did, and as we are doing with my new musical of popular styled rock music, getting it heard by people who are into the style of music first can help find a new audience for a new show with new music