Cliff Richard speaks out over radio conspiracy

(Thursday May 01, 2008 02:05 PM)

Source: yahoo.news

 

Sir Cliff Richard insists he proved the British radio industry is biased -

after releasing a song under a fake name to see if UK stations were

deliberately censoring his music.

 

The star is furious that radio stations in his home country don't play his

music any more and has accused bosses of conspiring against him.

 

Richard even went as far as releasing an R+B single under the name CR in

1998, which was played by high profile radio stations including BBC Radio

One.

 

And the singer is convinced the success of his secret track proves the radio

industry were plotting against him.

 

He says, "I was proved right - my name can be a terrible drawback. When I

hear myself on the radio I pretty much phone a friend and send a bottle of

champagne round.

"I'm excited to get one play, if your name doesn't fit the bill, they will

never give you a listen."

 

The 67-year-old scored seven U.K. number ones over five decades, the most

recent being The Millennium Prayer which topped the chart in 1999 despite

being excluded from the playlists of most British radio stations.

 

What do you think? Is Cliff right?

 

I think he does have a point.

 

With the exception of Madonna, Kylie & U2, a lot of older artists have trouble getting

played on uk radio. It's not just Cliff who has this problem.

It seems there really is ageism in uk radio today which extends to the presenters as

well as the artists.

 

If you're over a certain age, you're often viewed as old hat and not relevent which is

a great shame.

I cant stand the bloke's music, and I do feel that he's pretty artistically bankrupt, but to deliberately not play his stuff, even if it does do well seems a bit stupid to me.... If a Metal or Rock based show deliberately targeted, say, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest because it considered them a "bit uncool", it would be pretty much the same sort of thing really....

Miss Richard does seem to have a bee in her bonnet.

 

The simple fact is, Dame Cliff Richard is a national embarrassment. He hasn't released a good record in... ooo.. well, let's be honest - he's NEVER released a good record.

 

He's cultivated this bizarre fanatical middle-and-old-age lady following who blindly follow him.... but, thankfully, these old biddies are the only ones these days. Those days when he dominated the UK Christmas number one are over.... praise the Lord!

 

I just wish he'd hang that colostomy bag up and retire, myself, find a nice fella and settle down somewhere.

 

Far away.

Miss Richard does seem to have a bee in her bonnet.

 

The simple fact is, Dame Cliff Richard is a national embarrassment. He hasn't released a good record in... ooo.. well, let's be honest - he's NEVER released a good record.

 

He's cultivated this bizarre fanatical middle-and-old-age lady following who blindly follow him.... but, thankfully, these old biddies are the only ones these days. Those days when he dominated the UK Christmas number one are over.... praise the Lord!

 

I just wish he'd hang that colostomy bag up and retire, myself, find a nice fella and settle down somewhere.

 

Far away.

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Brilliant post Russ, and I do agree with a lot of what you say... But, let's face it, if the criteria were to not play artists on the basis that the material was cr@p, how much of the current Radiio 1 Playlist would actually get any airplay at all....? OOOH, I'd say roughly 1% of it.... And that's being generous....

 

I think he does have a point.

 

With the exception of Madonna, Kylie & U2, a lot of older artists have trouble getting

played on uk radio. It's not just Cliff who has this problem.

It seems there really is ageism in uk radio today which extends to the presenters as

well as the artists.

 

If you're over a certain age, you're often viewed as old hat and not relevent which is

a great shame.

 

I agree, for instance artists like Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys still release great music which is easily up to the standard of their older stuff, but don't get radio play as they're considered old hat and irrelevant, which is a crying shame.

 

As for Cliff Richard, I couldn't care less. He's quite a sad case anyway, I heard that he invites people over for dinner and puts his own music on and sings along to it. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Brilliant post Russ, and I do agree with a lot of what you say... But, let's face it, if the criteria were to not play artists on the basis that the material was cr@p, how much of the current Radiio 1 Playlist would actually get any airplay at all....? OOOH, I'd say roughly 1% of it.... And that's being generous....

 

Cliff Richard needs to have breasts in his video and a cascada remix - just think if you remixed devil woman and had loads of zoo/nuts types with very large breasts dressed as 'horny lil devils' the video would get played on the hits non-stop and cliff would get into the top ten (ok i might be too cynical here but would have Utah Saints have charted so high without their video)

Cliff Richard needs to have breasts in his video and a cascada remix - just think if you remixed devil woman and had loads of zoo/nuts types with very large breasts dressed as 'horny lil devils' the video would get played on the hits non-stop and cliff would get into the top ten (ok i might be too cynical here but would have Utah Saints have charted so high without their video)

 

I think he would give his fans a heart attack. :lol:

 

I agree, for instance artists like Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys still release great music which is easily up to the standard of their older stuff, but don't get radio play as they're considered old hat and irrelevant, which is a crying shame.

 

As for Cliff Richard, I couldn't care less. He's quite a sad case anyway, I heard that he invites people over for dinner and puts his own music on and sings along to it. :lol:

 

Exactly, if the likes of R1 & commerical radio would play PSB & Depeche Mode, i'm sure they'd sell more records.

Same for Alison Moyet whose recent album was stunning.

Miss Richard does seem to have a bee in her bonnet.

 

The simple fact is, Dame Cliff Richard is a national embarrassment. He hasn't released a good record in... ooo.. well, let's be honest - he's NEVER released a good record.

 

He's cultivated this bizarre fanatical middle-and-old-age lady following who blindly follow him.... but, thankfully, these old biddies are the only ones these days. Those days when he dominated the UK Christmas number one are over.... praise the Lord!

 

I just wish he'd hang that colostomy bag up and retire, myself, find a nice fella and settle down somewhere.

 

Far away.

 

:arrr: What the f*** you talking about. He, along with a number of other older artists like Elton John, Rod Stewart & others put todays artists to shame for singing ability and staying power. Radio stations are biased to the Older artists, just churning out the same old tunes day in, day out, wearing them out until people are p****d off of hearing them :angry: If it ain't mainstream, Indie or American R & B artists don't stand a chance. :angry: I think Cliff is a great artist and have his greatest hits :P Also, i ain't old. But Cliff, along with most other music from the Fifties to the 90's just p****s all over todays artists & there music and i would love to see Cliff get another Number 1. :o

Edited May 3, 200817 yr by ItchyChinchilla

Also, i ain't old. But Cliff, along with most other music from the Fifties to the 90's just p****s all over todays artists & there music and i would love to see Cliff get another Number 1. :o

 

well Cliff is not trendy not and he will never be a Johnny Cash - and Christian Rock & Pop is always seen as a negative whether its U2, Cliff or Delious? but with so many records going back so many years there is probably something alright (i guess back in the 1950 - tho i would listen to some american rock n roll and r&b stuff before i consider cliff) among all the cheese and mor

 

 

:arrr: What the f*** you talking about. He, along with a number of other older artists like Elton John, Rod Stewart & others put todays artists to shame for singing ability and staying power. Radio stations are biased to the Older artists, just churning out the same old tunes day in, day out, wearing them out until people are p****d off of hearing them :angry: If it ain't mainstream, Indie or American R & B artists don't stand a chance. :angry: I think Cliff is a great artist and have his greatest hits :P

 

I posted something in indie about british radio music programming it was about ladrock and britpop types but it is also apt here:

 

its realy the fault of people like charles allen - his group buying other radio groups and re-programming them to a very safe mostly rhthmic hit40 or adult contemporary (whatever the vibe - one that continues to get a good and stady auds reach - which has not much variation from week to week) - these businessmen are the problem

 

 

 

 

 

:arrr: What the f*** you talking about. He, along with a number of other older artists like Elton John, Rod Stewart & others put todays artists to shame for singing ability and staying power. Radio stations are biased to the Older artists, just churning out the same old tunes day in, day out, wearing them out until people are p****d off of hearing them :angry: If it ain't mainstream, Indie or American R & B artists don't stand a chance. :angry: I think Cliff is a great artist and have his greatest hits :P Also, i ain't old. But Cliff, along with most other music from the Fifties to the 90's just p****s all over todays artists & there music and i would love to see Cliff get another Number 1. :o

 

 

Staying power? Surely you mean outstaying-their-welcome power?

 

To name Rod Stewart and Elton John as people with huge singing ability, too.... I'd have to question that.

 

I do agree, however, that radio stations are too keen to get down with the kids - vile daytime radio, especially. Mark mentions Alison Moyet - a perfect example - a truly great comeback album just before Christmas - but not even Radio 2 would give it a spin.... bizarre as it's a truly classic album.

 

And a Cliff Richard Greatest Hits must be a barrel of laughs - a blank disc, no?

Staying power? Surely you mean outstaying-their-welcome power?

 

To name Rod Stewart and Elton John as people with huge singing ability, too.... I'd have to question that.

 

I do agree, however, that radio stations are too keen to get down with the kids - vile daytime radio, especially. Mark mentions Alison Moyet - a perfect example - a truly great comeback album just before Christmas - but not even Radio 2 would give it a spin.... bizarre as it's a truly classic album.

 

And a Cliff Richard Greatest Hits must be a barrel of laughs - a blank disc, no?

 

:o Why should an artist give up what they love doing just because they reach a certain age. You're as young as you feel. Music is for everyone and not just those under the age of 30. -_- Todays artists have next to no singing ability. Take Kate Nash for example, the woman can't sing a note, but she gets recognition. So why not Cliff & the others. They must be doing something Right, to have sold as many records as they have, especially Cliff, who has had over a 100 hits. :P Will any of todays artists be around in 10 years time, highly unlikely. -_- I see that your a Welshman and your country has produced some great artists like Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Bonnie Tyler & others and i would love to see all of these people back in the charts showing todays artists what real music and singing talent is. <_< Not just talking to a beat or gettin' ya T**s out to gain sales, just purely on the music. ;)

I'm not a particular fan of Cliff's but I do agree that certain radio stations won't play music by some of the older artists. Radio 1 in particular didn't play Elvis even when he had the re-releases. They seem to think that they can dictate what we should be listening to, regardless of whether the music is good, or in fact what the listeners want to hear.

I agree, for instance artists like Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys still release great music which is easily up to the standard of their older stuff, but don't get radio play as they're considered old hat and irrelevant, which is a crying shame.

 

As for Cliff Richard, I couldn't care less. He's quite a sad case anyway, I heard that he invites people over for dinner and puts his own music on and sings along to it. :lol:

 

Totally with you, and it's basically the only reason I would be willing to agree with Cliff.... If his campaign gets Depeche Mode (and not forgetting the rather excellent solo stuff Dave Gahan and Martin Gore are capable of also..), Siouxsie Sioux (who also released an excellent album last year, which I'd sure Radio 1 ignored also..) or PSB back on the rotation at Radio 1, then I guess I'm willing to live with the unfortunate side-effect of Cliff being played as well.... :lol:

 

Second paragraph - Oh dear, you're right, a totally tragic case..... :no:

 

:o Why should an artist give up what they love doing just because they reach a certain age. You're as young as you feel. Music is for everyone and not just those under the age of 30. -_- Todays artists have next to no singing ability. Take Kate Nash for example, the woman can't sing a note, but she gets recognition. So why not Cliff & the others. They must be doing something Right, to have sold as many records as they have, especially Cliff, who has had over a 100 hits. :P Will any of todays artists be around in 10 years time, highly unlikely. -_- I see that your a Welshman and your country has produced some great artists like Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Bonnie Tyler & others and i would love to see all of these people back in the charts showing todays artists what real music and singing talent is. <_< Not just talking to a beat or gettin' ya T**s out to gain sales, just purely on the music. ;)

 

yes, but there's artists who were truly awesome in their heyday and are still relevant and interesting now - Siouxsie Sioux is one of them, Kate Bush most definitely another.... and there are artists who were never very good anyway but, because they continued releasing record after record to diminishing returns, after 15-20 years, they automatically become regarded as 'legends' regardless of the awful, awful music they've been releasing for the past 70% of their career.

 

I think Cliff Richard is one of these artists - he just never went away..... he had a good few big hit singles along the way, hijacked the Christmas charts with his religious ramblings for years.... and, hey presto.... he's been releasing records for FIVE DECADES.

 

Yes... FIVE DECADES of absolute, unbridled, toe-curling $h!t.

 

Age is never an indication of musical quality - my favourite albums from last year were Alison Moyet (47) and 'The Turn' and Siouxsie Sioux (oo...50 I think) with her dazzling 'Mantaray' album.

 

 

yes, but there's artists who were truly awesome in their heyday and are still relevant and interesting now - Siouxsie Sioux is one of them, Kate Bush most definitely another.... and there are artists who were never very good anyway but, because they continued releasing record after record to diminishing returns, after 15-20 years, they automatically become regarded as 'legends' regardless of the awful, awful music they've been releasing for the past 70% of their career.

 

I think Cliff Richard is one of these artists - he just never went away..... he had a good few big hit singles along the way, hijacked the Christmas charts with his religious ramblings for years.... and, hey presto.... he's been releasing records for FIVE DECADES.

 

Yes... FIVE DECADES of absolute, unbridled, toe-curling $h!t.

 

Age is never an indication of musical quality - my favourite albums from last year were Alison Moyet (47) and 'The Turn' and Siouxsie Sioux (oo...50 I think) with her dazzling 'Mantaray' album.

 

Good post.... Cliff made a rod for his own back with his apparent obsession with peppering his music with preachy, Christian sermonising bollocks (big turn off for me, and I'm sure the vast majority of music lovers out there.. We all know that Satan has the best tunes anyway... :lol: )... I'm sure that this is the reason why Radio 1 decided not to play him more than the music itself....

 

Cliff Richard needs to have breasts in his video and a cascada remix - just think if you remixed devil woman and had loads of zoo/nuts types with very large breasts dressed as 'horny lil devils' the video would get played on the hits non-stop and cliff would get into the top ten (ok i might be too cynical here but would have Utah Saints have charted so high without their video)

 

I didn't know cascada had large breasts i've seen images of her and she don't have huge boobs but i wish she would :lol:

Edited May 6, 200817 yr by HeartBreakKid08!

I didn't know cascada had large breasts i've seen images of her and she don't have huge boobs but i wish she would :lol:

 

Am I the only person who think Cascada looks like a man in drag?, therefore Cliff could pull it off.

 

He needs a G-A-Y reworking of Devil Woman, get William Baker to do the styling, Sophie Muller to direct the video, get Cascada, the Pet Shop Boys & the Freemasons to remix the track, perform the track on X-Factor with a full dance troupe in devils/bondage gear & voila a monster monster big hit single. :P

I can't stand cliff richard, but i do agree with his point. I stopped listening to Radio 1 because it never ever played new songs by older artists. It really annoyed me. Looking back at Radio 1 playlists from 10 years ago they had no problem playing tracks from the likes of Pet Shop Boys/Texas/Other 'Grown Up' artists. Now they only ever play c**p which then gets overhyped which gives us a $h!tty top 40. :(

 

Radio 2 are getting as bad aswell. Either an song gets too overplayed, or doesn't get played at all :mellow: it's a shame. A band which springs to mind now is Garbage. I can only recall their latest single being played once on the radio back last year (it then peaked at #50 :cry: )

 

Mind you i suppose Madonna isn't doing too badly...

Edited May 7, 200817 yr by Glyn