672 – The Daniel Glass Show: But is it music? The story of a viral video…

In this episode, Daniel asks the following question: Is there a difference between playing an instrument and making music? In an effort to find an answer, Daniel tells the story of how he posed this question on Facebook, and included a live video of the band the B-52’s. The response inspired a huge amount of controversy, causing the post to go viral in the process. Daniel also shares his personal recollections of touring with the B-52’s in the Summer of 1998, and discusses why the band is much more artistically influential than the kitchy silliness of “Rock Lobster” might imply.

In this episode, Daniel shares:

• His definition of music, which has to do with one’s intention to connect with and move an audience.
• The erroneous belief held by too many musicians that being technically proficient on their instrument will automatically make them more musical.
• The story behind his viral post (which has been viewed more than 1.2 million times, received 42,000 likes, 12,000 shares and over 4,000 comments), and the reason he chose a B-52’s performance of “Rock Lobster” to demonstrate his point.
• A detailed breakdown of the unique musical elements and influences in the B-52’s performance of “Rock Lobster” (which first aired on Saturday Night Live in 1980).
• His personal experiences of touring with the B-52s and the Pretenders in the Summer of 1998.
• The career evolution of the B-52’s, including highlights (multi-platinum albums, three Grammy nominations) and losses (the death of their original guitarist at only 32), and why they are still touring 45 years after the release of “Rock Lobster.”
• Why he’s a fan of the B-52’s, and why the band’s presentation (lo-fi, yet highly conceptual and artistic) makes them an important and influential part of the post-punk movement of the late 1970s (along with bands like the Police, the Clash, Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson).

Resources/Links mentioned:

• Contact Daniel Glass: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
• Daniel’s viral Facebook post, featuring the b-52s controversial performance of “Rock Lobster” in 1980.
• The B-52s Wikipedia page.