Dear Musician - Music Makes Movies

If you watched the Oscars last week, then you know that music realized a huge win. Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born both did exceptionally well at the awards show.

Ironically, both are movies with music that has stood the test of time. As the Oscars opened with Queen playing We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions, I began thinking about the first time I heard both songs (back-to-back as they were played when first released), and it was way back in 1977. That blew my mind! (I know – small explosion) At the time, I was 15 years old, and music was consuming every fiber of my being. I wanted to make music and drum more than anything else (including study – much to my parents' chagrin). It means those two Queen songs are as popular today as they were 42 years ago!

And while most of the younger crowd won’t remember the first time A Star Is Born was released on the big screen, it was in 1976 with  Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.  And if you’re from my generation, you know how often the song Evergreen from the movie was played on FM radio! So, when you combine the singing and acting talents of Lady GaGa and Bradley Cooper and their natural chemistry, it’s no wonder the movie was so successful in this re-release.

During the commercial breaks of the Oscars, we learned of the 2019 release of a new movie, Rocketman, that celebrates the life of Elton John.  If you’re from my generation, you know what an impact Elton’s music has made (and continues to make) on music…not only during his early years but also throughout his life.

Humans not only need music but need the escape it offers. They need the emotions it evokes. They need the compassion it releases. We need the inspiration and we need that more now than ever.

I’ve mentioned before that it would be hard to imagine your favorite movie if it were devoid of music. We know that music can set the tone and attitude of a movie. Now it seems that music can make a movie. Not only can it make a movie, but it can also make a compelling and award-winning movie!

So be inspired to make better music. You never know, for there could come a day in which your music makes a movie! - HC-

Note: Does the image above look familiar? We used it on a previous Dear Musician called Will Music Lose Its Soul? where we quote Freddie Mercury regarding the exploding music technology growth at the time. We thought it important to point it out because it's still a very relevant subject today -

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Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.