The music poster has become inextricably linked with the bedroom walls of teen fans and student dorms. A poster can depict a simple glam-shot of a pop chart diva or some obscure image that only those in the know can de-cipher. But what makes hang up those music posters in the first place?

When we put a music poster up on the wall what exactly are we doing? Usually it’s because we have some kind of liking for the artist. It could be the music (Coldplay), the image (Marilyn Manson) or maybe we find them attractive (Beyonce). In any of these cases, we are displaying behaviour associated with being a fan, which is of course short for fanatic.

I have come up with the following list of fanatics, which should cover most categories of poster hangers, but please feel free to add your own.

1. The teeny. These are early teenage girls who, as yet, are unable to find any suitably mature similarly aged boys to fall in love with, so they fall in love with a poster instead. Their main targets are boy bands, ex boy band solo artists and female solo artists if they’re in ‘girlie-crush’ mode.

2. The mid-teen. This is where rebellion starts. For the girls, it’s the biggest, ugliest rap star they can find which will be guaranteed to upset their parents. For the boys it’s the most disgusting thrash metal group they can find which will be guaranteed to upset their parents.

3. The late teen. By now, serious prejudices have been formed and allegiance to one particular type of music is essential. Having, or not having, the right poster on the wall can mean the difference between social acceptance and rejection and will confirm the tribe that you will now be in for many years to come, if not the rest of your life.

4. The student. A little like the late teen, but in a very different way. Has allegiances, but dare not admit them. Will therefore put up ‘ironic’ posters usually only considered by the teeny which thus become cool because they are in a student dorm - a bit like bricks in an art gallery.

5. The obsessed. Can be any age, diagnosed by the fact that all available wall space of their bedroom or study is plastered with posters of one particular band or artist. All possible additional memorabilia will have been purchased and will occupy any available floor space in their bedroom or study. They only come out of their bedroom or study for comfort breaks.

6. The trendy. Can also be any age, but has only one motive for poster hanging - to be in with other people. Easy to spot as there’s no allegiance to anyone other than themselves. Also they often get it completely wrong.

7. The musician. Usually male and will have a select set of ‘heroes’ posters on the wall which reflect his aspirations as a singer, lead guitar player etc. When you go and see him perform he bears no resemblance to these heroes whatsoever.

Some people pass through several, if not all of these categories during the course of their life, I must admit to a couple of them myself. There’s nothing wrong with being a fanatic, but just be aware that it’ll always give other people the opportunity to poke fun at you.

John Webber is editor for http://www.music-on-posters.com where you can find articles on posters, original band biographies and poster merchants in the USA, UK and Europe

Bookmark to:

Rock music fans wept from heartbreak on September 25, 1980. On that date, John Bonham, the talented drummer for the band Led Zeppelin, died from symptoms caused by an alcohol overdose, and concluded the reign of music’s greatest heavy metal band. While the story of Led Zeppelin rightfully revolves around the band’s music and their antics on and off stage, Led Zeppelin posters also have a firm place in rock history. The band’s contribution to the image of rock music as portrayed through the band’s posters was monumental. Led Zeppelin took rock and blues influences to new heights with their music, and captured the imagination of a generation with their poster art.

There are so many great Led Zeppelin posters; it’s tough to pick a favorite. Certainly, one of the best would be the Swansong poster art of Apollo (not Icarus) above the runes. The composition is so simple, but the emotional power behind the art is undeniable. Of course, Apollo’s mane of hair makes it a rock poster classic. While the meaning of the runes is still subject to debate this day, depending on your source, the most widely accepted version is that each member chose a symbol to represent them on the album cover. Robert Plant’s symbol of a feather in a circle comes from an ancient mythical Mu civilization, and represents truth for Plant. John Bonham’s rune of the three interlocking circles has a mysterious origin, but Plant has said that he thought it implied the trilogy of man, woman and child (or it was the emblem of Ballantine Beer inverted). John Paul Jones’s symbol of a circle overlaying three ovals represents unity and family. The meaning of Jimmy Page’s “zoso” symbol has not been disclosed to the public.

Some mistakenly attribute the symbols and runes on Led Zeppelin posters to an involvement by one or more band members in cults or alternative religions, and delusional rumors about satanic subliminal messages in the Stairway to Heaven played backwards have been spread for years. Though, these wild accusations often show that their fundamentalist accusers were more warped than the band. While many Led Zeppelin songs do demonstrate an attempt by the band to put people in touch with their spiritual or mystical sensitivities, nothing the band produced conflicted with basic Judean-Christian philosophies. The Led Zeppelin poster “Writhing Angel” should evidence the band’s belief in the struggle of good against evil. Listen to Led Zeppelin yourself. You will find the lyrics to Immigrant Song, The Battle of Evermore and Whole Lotta Love and any others, are just pure rock.

Led Zeppelin hypnotized a generation around the world with powerful rock anthems. They synthesized wild combinations of musical influences and defined hard rock for the 1970’s. Despite the fact that the band has produced a magnificent collection of poster art, it is interesting to note that the “plane photo” poster of the four band members in front of their airplane is still one of the most widely demanded rock music posters. In the same stature as the Beatles and Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin fans will not let go of this band. Their music means too much. In the end, the tremendous weight of success was too much for drummer John Bonham. But even with his passing, we can still buy the Stairway to Heaven. Maybe that’s enough for this life.

In addition to being a collector of Led Zeppelin posters and a lifelong fan of the band and its music, Rock is the editor and publisher of Rock Poster Review. For more poster reviews, news and rumors about your favorite artists, please visit http://www.rockposterreview.com.

Bookmark to:

In an era that has glorified Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson, the lovely artist Pink (which is actually spelled P!nk) rose up in our face, and reminded us how incredibly sexy a powerful and intelligent woman can be. There’s no shortage of attitude here. You may know her as a party girl, but several Pink posters also reveal a thoughtful sensitivity. For instance, many of the Pink posters and photos for Missundaztood are sweet and enticing at the same time. Pink is a great artist, and her most recent release, I’m Not Dead, suggests that she really understands the visual and musical interests of her audience.

Pink exploded on the rock scene in 2000, and has kicked ass ever since. Beginning as an R&B artist with a debut album called Can’t Take Me Home, La Face Records marketed Pink as a punk pop act that forced the young artist to dye her hair pink. Pink posters from this brief era are collectables like a rookie baseball card would be for a prominent player, but Pink’s career would soon diverge from this punk look and LaFace Records. With the release of Missundaztood, Pink’s music rocketed to the top of the charts in the U.S. and Europe. Music tracks Get the Party Started, Don’t Let Me Get Me and Just Like a Pill launched a massive demand for her posters that has only increased over time. While Pink’s third album Try This was only a modest success in the US, and her most recent release I’m Not Dead will not likely break any of her sales records, it is wonderful to see Pink sporting her trademark rebellious attitude for her cover art and new posters.

Foremost, Pink is a character performer. Like most of her music, her public persona is designed to be rebellious and sexy, and rumors that her love affair and marriage to motorcycle racer Carey Hart have softened the style of her art have been completely dispelled. The Pink Posters and screaming cover art for her 2006 release should also bury any lingering suspicions that Pink has softened her tone. While she has fun with this character, don’t believe for a minute that she will let her wild looks define her. This woman is intelligent, strong and beautiful, and she is definitely not afraid to walk along the razor’s edge of controversy. One of her best Pink Posters was shot in support of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a New York club that banned people wearing fur from entering their establishment. As Pink tears off a t-shirt with Cruelty written on it, the poster said, “The only wildlife at Centro-Fly is human. No Fur Coats Allowed.”

P!nk’s open and very real demonstration of passion leaves no doubt that she believes in what she says. Having mastered the rhymes and rhythms of pop music, Pink is also using her stage to make critical social commentary. In an open letter to George W. Bush, a track called Dear Mr. President on her most recent release takes the failing President to task for his hollow words of empathy and policies that have led to deaths and impoverishment of thousands. You won’t see that kind political savvy from Christina Aguilera. Another track called Stupid Girls openly criticizes women that act brainless and superficial. One line of the song asks “With their itsy bitsy doggies and their teeny-weeny tees, where, oh where, have the smart people gone?”

While P!nk is, and always will be, a rocker, this is the kind of rock music that parents should ask their kids to download. Her image has matured (a little), but the thoughtfulness behind her message and posters have grown tremendously. Though, her music doesn’t take life too seriously, or nag us about our social responsibility. Pink now approaches her music and public like a lovable big sister. It takes us to parties, gives us a great life example, and tries to keep us out of trouble. You can’t beat that in this day and age.

In addition to being a fan and a collector of href="http://www.rockposterreview.com/Poster-Reviews/pink-posters.html" target="New">Pink posters and music, Rock is the editor and publisher of href="http://www.rockposterreview.com/" target="New">Rock Poster Review - it’s all about the sex, money, fame, egos, fashion, art, photography, business, image and music of rock-n-roll. For more poster reviews, news and rumors about your favorite artists, please visit target="_new" href="http://www.rockposterreview.com/">http://www.rockposterreview.com

Bookmark to: