When it comes to the music industry, there are a few names that immediately spring to mind. Perhaps the most well-known of these is Michael Jackson, who had a profound effect on not only the music world, but also pop culture as a whole. Many artists and celebrities have cited Jackson as a significant influence, including current superstars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. It’s no wonder why Michael Jackson is often referred to as the “King of Pop.”
Another notable artist, who had a profound effect on music, is Sir Paul McCartney. Many feel he is the best solo artist of all time, and he is certainly a guitar hero for guitar players everywhere. After years of being active musically, Paul McCartney decided to take a break from touring and recording in 2016, at the age of 72. Before he took the hiatus, he released his final album, saying farewell to his longtime fans with an epic 20th anniversary concert in London. The following year, he released a memoir, documenting the many highlights of his career and life, and expressing regret over leaving music.
But, what about the man behind the music? What was the career of Michael Jackson’s manager, Jermaine Jackson? Was it all just a big celebrity game, or was there more to it than that? Was it all just about the money, or was there some substance to his lyrics? What was the story of Bryan Ferry, the legendary English singer who was the creative genius behind the soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal horror film, The Birds? What was the story of Chris Blackwell, the founder of the Island Music Company, who managed a stellar roster of international superstars during the 1960s and 1970s, including George Harrison and Elton John?
One of the best biographies I’ve ever read is called The Dark Side of Genius. It’s the story of the life of Professor Robert Wilson, a Scottish psychiatrist who spent his life studying psychotherapy and psychiatry. Most of his patients were wealthy and famous, including John Lennon, Martin Luther King Jr., and Charles Manson. He became world-famous for prescribing some of the highest-profile drugs in history, including LSD and Ecstasy. For his book, Professor Wilson interviewed many of his famous patients, including John Lennon, who was one of the last people he interviewed before he died in 1980. One of the most striking sections of the book is when Wilson talks about his experience with the Beatles. He managed them, along with the rest of the pop music world, during the height of Beatlemania in January and February 1964. This is worth a read, even if you don’t watch much TV.
In my opinion, one of the most underrated musicians of all time is Robert Pattinson. Yes, that’s right, the guy from Twilight. You may know him as a film actor, but he has a phenomenal voice, and one of the best guitar solos I’ve ever heard. If you’ve never heard of him, that’s probably because he hasn’t really done much in the way of solo work. Although, he has recorded dozens of albums with his band, the Kids. In fact, they have nine albums under their belts, and two of those were platinum albums in the UK. So, if you’re looking to expand your musical horizons, look no further than Robert Pattinson.
Here, we’ll explore the interesting story of how Robert Pattinson went from being an almost completely unknown pop singer in 2004 to being one of the most well-known and influential artists of the 21st century. As his profile has risen, so has his music, and he has continued to develop as an artist and performer. In 2019, he will celebrate 20 years since his big break with a massive concert in London. Let’s look back at his early life, his career, and his place in the music industry.
Early Life
Robert Pattinson was born in London on July 21, 1984. His father is an alcoholic TV producer, and his mother, a former model, is often away from home, working as a freelance copy writer. When he was 10 years old, his family moved from London to Los Angeles, where he spent the rest of his childhood. He developed an interest in art and design in college, where he also studied music. After college, he briefly attended art school in London, before moving to the US, to begin his acting career. He has a younger brother, Harry, who is also an actor, and a younger sister, Lily. His father is of Scottish descent, and his mother is of English and German ancestry.
Career
Robert Pattinson’s parents bought him a guitar for Christmas when he was 12 years old. He taught himself to play in his bedroom, and soon began performing for family and friends. By 14, he was performing on stage at school, alongside established musicians like Will Ferrell and Martin Scorsese. He briefly attended the prestigious BRIT School, where he was enrolled in a jazz band. The following year, he enrolled in the American School of TangSoi, a business program, and continued his studies there. In 2002, he graduated from college with a major in economics and a minor in music. That same year, he began working as a security guard in a Hollywood office building, to pay the bills. He also began working as a bartender and nightclub bouncer, because it was the only way he could make enough money to support himself. He later worked as a travel agent and a baggage handler at LAX Airport. He also spent a lot of time in his bedroom, writing songs and recording demos, which he would send to record companies. Finally, in 2004, he received a call from an A&R person at a record company, asking him to submit some demos for consideration.
Breakthrough
He sent the demos to the A&R person, and she asked him to come in and do an audition. Impressed with his voice and talent, she put him forward for an American Idol-type show, called The Next American Idol. It was a blind audition, and the winner was … none other than (drumroll, please) … Robert Pattinson. He won the competition, and signed with CAA. (That’s CAA, the William Morris Agency. Essentially, these are the people who book your film and TV projects.) After winning The Next American Idol, he began to receive music publishing deals and endorsement offers. His manager at the time, Kevin Ives, put him forward for a Best New Artist Grammy. In 2019, he will celebrate 20 years since his big break with a massive concert in London. Let’s look back at his early life, his career, and his place in the music industry.