How Pop Music Fandom Became Sports Politics
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How Pop Music Fandom Became Sports Politics is a blog that discusses the way in which pop music fandom has become increasingly politicized.
The Birth of Fandom
Before the Internet, “fandom” was a word used to describe a small group of obsessive fans of a particular pop culture phenomenon. In the 21st century, the word has taken on a new meaning. Now, “fandom” describes the way that many people interact with pop culture.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first manifested itself in Australia with the answer record “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, followed by an equally unprecedented wave of hysteria when they arrived in the country for a tour in 1964. The group’shemoth stature was further confirmed with their arrival stateside later that year when “I Want To Hold Your Hand” topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for seven weeks until knocked from the top spot by “She Loves You”.
Elvis
Elvis Presley is often credited with being the first pop music star to have fans that were passionate and devoted enough to be considered a “fandom.” Before Elvis, fans of popular music were mostly teenage girls who screamed and swooned at live performances, but didn’t have much interaction with the artists themselves. Elvis changed all that. His fans, mostly teenage girls, were rabid in their devotion. They not only wanted to see him perform, they wanted to know everything about him. They followed his every move, both on and off stage, and they collected anything they could find that bore his image. Elvis’s fans even had their own name: they were called “Elvis disciples.”
Elvis’s disciples were the first pop music fandom to exhibit many of the behaviors that would become associated with fandoms in general. They were intensely passionate about their idol, they devoured any scrap of information or gossip about him, and they had a strong sense of community with other fans. Elvis’s disciples were also willing to go to extreme lengths to show their support for their idol. For example, when rumors began to circulate that Elvis was Draft dodger, his fans organized a letter-writing campaign to convince the U.S. government to exempt him from service.
The birth of Elvis’s fandom marked a shift in the way people interacted with popular culture. For the first time, fans felt like they knew a celebrity on a personal level, and they were willing to fight for him as if he was part of their own family. This new level of fan devotion would pave the way for fandoms of all kinds in the years to come.
The Power of Fandom
Justin Bieber. Taylor Swift. Beyonce. The list goes on and on of the A-list celebrities that dominate the music industry. But there is one group of people who are just as important to the success of these artists, if not more so: the fans. Without the fans, these artists would not be where they are today. In fact, it could be argued that the fans are the most important people in the music industry.
The Beatles again
Over fifty years after their first single was released in the United Kingdom, the Beatles continue to garner new fans and followers. It is not unusual for a band or artist to have a devoted fan base, but what sets the Beatles apart is the longevity of their popularity. Few bands can claim to have fans who are still actively engaged and purchasing their music fifty years later. The Beatles’ fans, known as “Beatlemaniacs,” are one of the most dedicated and fervent fan bases in pop music history.
The Beatles’ career is often divided into two distinct phases: the “Early Years” and the “Post-1966 Years.” The Early Years, also known as the “Beatlemania Era,” refers to the period from 1960 to 1966 when the band rose to international fame and were constantly surrounded by hordes of screaming fans. The Post-1966 Years refers to the period after the band stopped touring and began releasing more experimental and introspective music. While both phases of the Beatles’ career were commercially successful, it is the Early Years that remain most iconic and beloved by fans.
The Beatles were not only a pop phenomenon; they were also a political force. In 1964, they were invited to play at Carnegie Hall by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his campaign to promote civil rights legislation. The band used their platform to speak out against racism and promote peace and love. They continued to use their fame for political good throughout their career; in 1966, they met with then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson to discuss education reform, and in 1969 they staged a concert on the roof of Apple Records in support of second wave feminism.
The Beatles are often praised for their impact on popular culture, but their influence on politics is often overlooked. However, it is clear that the band used their platform to effect change both in Britain and around the world. The legacy of the Fab Four endures today; they remain one of the most popular bands in history, and their music continues to inspire new generations of fans.
One Direction
Few things in this world are as powerful as a pop music fandom. From the Beatles to Justin Bieber, Directioners to Beliebers, fans have always taken their fandom seriously. But in recent years, fandoms have become more than just a group of people who love the same musician. They have become a political force to be reckoned with.
The power of pop music fandom was on full display in 2016 when One Direction announced they were taking an extended hiatus. Directioners around the world were devastated, and quickly mobilized on social media to try and convince the band to stay together. Their campaign was successful, and within a few months, One Direction was back together and making music again.
While it might seem like fun and games, there is a serious side to all of this. In 2018, when BTS became the first K-Pop group to perform at the Billboard Music Awards, fans campaigned tirelessly on social media to make sure their favorite band won an award. And they did – BTS became the first ever K-Pop group to win a Billboard Music Award.
Fans aren’t just powerful when it comes to their favorite musicians – they’re also becoming increasingly involved in politics. In 2018, when Taylor Swift came out in support of two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee, her fans followed suit and helped register over 140,000 new voters.
There’s no denying the power of pop music fandom – and as fandoms continue to grow in size and influence, we can only imagine what they’ll achieve next.
The Dark Side of Fandom
There’s a dark side to being a fan of pop music. It can be all-consuming, and it can turn toxic. Celebrities are increasingly treated like sports teams, with fans rooting for their favorite stars to win. This has led to a culture of toxicity and harassment, where fans attack each other and the celebrities they claim to love.
The Beatles again
In May of this year, the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ final studio album, “Abbey Road,” was celebrated with much fanfare. The surviving members of the band, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, posed for photographs on the crosswalk made famous by the album cover, and fans around the world marked the occasion with listening parties, street performances and tributes.
But even as fans were paying homage to one of the most influential and beloved bands of all time, a small but vocal contingent were busy stirring up trouble. A group calling themselves “purists” had taken to social media to decry what they saw as an abomination: a new version of “Abbey Road” that included previously unreleased outtakes and alternate mixes of some of the album’s most famous tracks.
To purists, the release was nothing less than an act of sacrilege, a desecration of a work of art that should be left untouched. The reaction was swift and scathing, with many fans denouncing McCartney and Starr as sellouts who were only interested in cashing in on the Beatles’ legacy.
It might seem like a tempest in a teapot, but this latest episode is just one example of how fan culture has become increasingly politicized in recent years. What was once a refuge for music lovers looking to escape the real world has become yet another arena for culture wars.
Justin Bieber
Pop music used to be something that everyone could enjoy. It was a shared experience that brought people together. But in recent years, fandom has become increasingly divided and politicized.
Justin Bieber is a case in point. His career has been defined by the passionate (and often toxic) divide between his fans and his haters. His fans are fiercely protective of him and quick to attack anyone who criticizes him. And his haters are just as quick to jump on any opportunity to drag him down.
This polarized fan dynamic has driven away many casual fans and made it difficult for Bieber to break through to a wider audience. It’s also led to some very ugly moments, like when death threats were made against Bieber’s then-girlfriend Selena Gomez.
The dark side of fandom is nothing new. But in the age of social media, it’s become more visible and more damaging. Fandom has always had a dark side, but now it’s time to take a stand against the toxic elements of fandom and make sure that pop music is something that we can all enjoy again.
The Future of Fandom
The lines between sports and entertainment have become increasingly blurred in recent years. One of the most visible examples of this is the way in which pop music fandom has become politicized. Far from being just a fun pastime, fandom has become a way for people to express their political beliefs.
The Beatles again
In 1964, the British Invasion began. American music fans were introduced to a new wave of bands from the United Kingdom, led by The Beatles. These young, working-class musicians were different from anything that had come before them. They wrote their own songs, played their own instruments, and had an energetic stage presence that was unmatched. They quickly became icons, not just in America but around the world.
As The Beatles’ popularity grew, so did the fervor of their fans. Young people especially were drawn to the band and their music. They formed clubs and fanzines devoted to The Beatles and developed a deep connection to the band members. This was the beginning of modern pop music fandom.
Over the years, fandom has changed and evolved along with pop music. Today, fans are more likely to encounter their idols online than in person. Social media has given fans unprecedented access to their favorite celebrities, but it has also created a more intense level of scrutiny. Fans are now expected to participate in promoting their favorite artists 24/7, and they are often rewarded for their efforts with exclusive content and access to VIP events.
The relationship between fans and celebrities has become more complicated than ever before. In some ways, fandom has become more like sports politics than simple admiration for a pop star. But one thing remains constant: the deep emotional investment that fans make in the celebrities they love.
Taylor Swift
Few artists in the past decade have had such a devoted and passionate fanbase as Taylor Swift. Her fans, known as Swifties, are some of the most dedicated and enthusiastic in all of music. They are also incredibly savvy when it comes to using social media to connect with other fans and promote their favorite artist.
In recent years, however, the relationship between Swift and her fans has become more complicated. As Swift has become more political, her fans have followed suit – using their passion for her music to engaging in politics themselves. This has led to some interesting conversations (and arguments) among Swifties about the role of fandom in politics.
There is no doubt that fandom can be a powerful force for good – but it can also be used to promote division and hate. It is important for all of us, no matter what our fandom, to remember that at the end of the day we are all human beings with different opinions and beliefs. We should use our passion for pop culture to bring people together, not tear them apart.
