Nepo Babies: When Talent Becomes Overrated
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- This week, we're taking a deep dive to explore how not just talent, but also wealth, access to elite education, and industry connections played pivotal roles in ten guitarists' journeys to stardom.
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Slash is talented
Bro I normally like youre work but you're pulling at strings on this one pun intended but this is a pointless video I mean take john mayor my parents were school teachers mom loved music she supported me she was murdered about 3 months before I hot my first real instrument my dad hates music and the finer stuff and never gave a toss about me or my music untill I was allmost 30 and at Christmas he broke down balling saying he was so sorry for not just being unsupervised but for outright being a obsticale in the way my freshmen year I was accepted to g.i.t/ m.i.t I had the money to cover all tuition and books but not a penny left towards a cheese burger or a place to live and was meet with reasons to either get the f out or start paying his bills life it is what it is no bitterness just a living example of unsupervised unsuportive back ground so really I live it and this perticular video is hog wash ans sheep shit
@@tommydeamon7657 I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, and also about what went on between you and your dad. I'm glad he came around - though it is a shame it had to be so late in life. I cannot imagine what you went through - Yes, life definitely has not been easy for me I'll tell you that, and a lot of what I was trying to get across in this video especially at the end is that if you're put at a disadvantage, there are ways that you can overcome it. That's what I wanted the video to culminate in. But, I'm not defending the video - it's just another one of my many videos I've done. But man it sure pissed off a lot of people lol. I just wish more people got the point of it. Nevertheless - I appreciate your candidness and being honest, gets my full respect brother!
Don't disagree with what you saying but nepobaby a stretch for some of these. Having parents that ain't shitty and actually give a fuck, not saying that it ain't fortunate but nepobaby pushing it.
There goes my hero...
Damn good comment! Just got to remember that this platform has a few of its own rules. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a title is worth a million. Thanks for your comment man!
If your parents are connected in the industry and you can afford to work on your craft without distraction or having to work a normal job and struggle with balancing between making living and honing on your passion, like a normal person, you're a nepo-baby.
Exactly!
@@UseTheSupeRsonic Nah. "Nepo baby" has a strict definition - namely, getting your position through nepotism. Not through having a stable family. If simply having money for instruments and not needing to have a day job was enough, every retired blues lawyer would be a star.
Yeah, I wouldn't consider growing up in a stable and caring environment synonymous to being a nepo baby. Nepo is short for nepotism meaning that their opportunitiies were granted to them through the careers and relevance of their parents rather than their own mertis; i.e. Gracie Abrams, Willow Smith etc.
Fair point. I've covered a lot of guitar players up to this point and always kind of made a mental note during that time of whether or not they had some form of support. I come to realize that they all did in one way shape or form, except for Shawn Lane. He was the one anomaly. This is not knocking them for having the support, I just wanted to deep dive a little bit into how by not being caught in the typical trappings of life they were able to flourish sooner than others. Well it really comes down to whether or not they had to work an actual proper job for a living at one point or another. Everybody's story differs and everybody's degree of support differs. This one sure got people riled up though that's for sure.
In the case of John Mayer i wouldn’t exactly call having two teachers as parents as being financially secure. I agree with your whole premise here though. Even having the emotional support of family can make a huge difference.
You are absolutely right - and anymore we tend to associate teachers with low income sadly enough. But with him his parents were just really big on ushering him into that school which really made a big difference in his life. And you're right, even down to just emotional support often is enough to push somebody over the top. Also sadly, there are a lot of people out there that just don't have any of that - some of them even complete virtuosos who, if given a chance, would have massive fan bases.
Yes these people all had an advantage but at least they did something with it and put in the time to make the most out of that advantage. Plenty of people have that advantage and are too lazy to excel. Even with resources it still takes thousands of hours of practice. Obviously I respect the people even more who came from nothing and became truly great despite the odds stacked against them as that is an inspiring story for people of all income levels.
Having parents that support you is very important, kudos to those parents that support their kids dreams, my parents dis nothing but stomp out my dreams, I loved anything with strings but I was ridiculed for trying to learn to play, told I'd never learn, it put an unseen wedge between my family and I that is still there to this day.......
It definitely is - we all love a good rags to riches story. And of course players covered in here didn't necessarily come from material wealth - that wasn't the entire point. It was more that a lot of the most celebrated musicians were given some good opportunities in the beginning - and of course they ran with them and made them work. The real takeaway is at the end of the video, for people who may not have had those opportunities there is still a way.
They had no room for excuses.
That's like exactly what is said on the video
It's not the same anymore. The world's time for guitar heros is gone. Great guitar players are everywhere but the heros times are gone. It's a different changing world.
I mean you can't take anything away from slash or Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac but I guess I look at it differently as far as you can have all the talent in the world but if you don't look half ass cool you are more than likely not going to make it. There is a reason that a lot of bands that become big became that way and not necessarily because they were as good or as technical as some of the people on this list.
Well what I've learned is there is usually a reason behind someone becoming successful and famous. Everybody wants to portray the idea that I was homeless and broke and started with nothing and especially before the internet came about because you really couldn't look into it and just do anything but take them for their word. And I'm sure there's just as many that did start out that way but I guarantee you most of them did not
Cracks me up when John Mayer tries to ape Hendrix's stage rap "Hope you don't mind if I play my guitar".A few years back when we played the Cavern in Liverpool I visited John Lennon's house which was definitely an upper class Tudor style 2 story home while the rest of the Beatles were raised in government housing.It's funny how these white guys like to portray themselves as a "Working Class Hero".Btw I met Stuart Copeland drummer of the Police who was definitely born with a silver spoon in his mouth as his dad was head of the C.I.A. in the Middle East.
Lars Ulrich and David Lee Roth came from wealth. The whole "We had $10 in our pocket" story gets recycled over and over, and it's been old for decades.
Nailed it! But I think that's part of the story that people kind of want to get washed up in and I cannot blame them. People tend to disassociate their idols from even the wealth of those idols. They sort of envision them as the gritty broke dude getting up on stage and rocking out in a rebellious fashion or whatever. A lot of people also don't want to come to terms with the fact that so many of these people were given opportunities early in life, and they were smart enough to take advantage of those opportunities and as a result they flourished. It is definitely an interesting study.... And you 100% put across the point that I was also trying to put across in the video. Thanks for that!
And on the flip side, Jon Schaffer, ICED EARTH, ran away from home as a teenager, from Indiana to Florida. Worked day labor jobs, only knew how to play power chord riffs on guitar, couldn't solo, but hired lead guitar player for ICED EARTH. Wrote all the songs, formed ICED EARTH, played gigs around Tampa, with the likes of DEICIDE, OBITUARY, NASTY SAVAGE, MORBID ANGEL. Got signed to Century Media Records, toured the world, put out many albums. Now, unconventional way to start a music career, but works for me. And then he threw that all away😢
What a story man! Damn!
Them resources man I tell ya. How would you feel being an African American guitarist that can do classic cream,hendrix, zeppelin. As well as American thrash. Not to forget 60's& 70's classic r&b that was constantly played at home. Have a firm grip on music theory. As well as having the ability to write intelligent witty rhymes that have gained me respect from top 80&90's rap artist. But labeled too black for rock bands. And too white for black bands. All the while having a younger brother with a recording studio. That you made sure no one picked on in Brooklyn. But he would rather record materialistic trap music artist FREE,but not record me. Thus is my life. Some of those,"privileged " musicians get jealous when they realize that the poor person can play just as good or better than them. But it's all about those resources. No one HAS EVER made a video like this on UA-cam. You always keep it 💯
Man - thank you for sharing that -I'm hoping at least you take some of that playing to social media. I have no doubt you'll find an audience for sure.
Gimme a break
"To black" ?
What does that even mean?
Jimmy Hendricks
Lenny Kravitz
Living Color (band)
Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust vocalist)
Frank Ferrer (Guns n Roses drummer)
Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz drummer)
Really?
@@Hugh-Janus_1776 Actually, Lenny Kravitz had the same problem at the beginning of his career, until he found a record label that would sign him the way he is. But that was over 30 years ago, and the world has changed a lot since. I don't think that's a real barrier these days.
@@Hugh-Janus_1776 Its more an internal struggle mate, but you find your people and community... and Cream rocks
The best players were poor and are poor to this day, not even recognized by the world.
Play your music for you and no one else.
In this world no one really cares unless you become famous then everyone loves you right ?
That's why I say play for you, and for the love of the music and nothing else.
Taylor Swift is a guitar player that's a nepobaby
Definitely - Great example!
Tom Scholz from Boston - his dad was a builder of luxury houses and ....... a millionaire
Another fantastic example right there!
It’s easy to look at the rich successful ones and say “yes they made it because of the mom n dads money” but there’s plenty of people in Nashville, Austin, NYC, etc that are not successful despite all the money they’ve parents pour into them. Ultimately they has to be an audience for someone in order to be successful, money can play a big part but not the only part.
All good points. The biggest hangup for a lot of people is the work thing. Some of them are literally living paycheck to paycheck, not a hope and hell of breaking past that.
Always wondered when Wolfgang Van Halen's name comes up what the hell did Eddie Van Halen do with all his money when he died because Wolfgang should be a gazillionaire by now.
Wolfgang really should be way more well off than he is. But - some bad deals were made. I covered Van Halen in depth over a series of four videos, and there was a lot of financial mismanagement if you want to call it mismanagement going on. Out of that whole group Michael and Sammy are by far the richest of the bunch.
Anybody can be a famous celebrity if they know the right people and are at the right place at the right time. But when it comes to skill on a musical instrument. It's all about how much work and practice he put into it.
Definitely not taking away the work that they put into their instruments. To get good like that takes a whole hell of a lot of work. And there are a lot of virtuoses out there that will never hear of because they didn't get the other piece of the pie - the promotion - putting them out there. That's the thing a lot of people miss. All a celebrity is is a regular person with a publicist.
Well I grew up poor and had to get a job period. I played professionally for 25 years self taught of course.
I'm not knocking these great musicians but I'm a bit jealous because I just wonder how much better I may have been with stability. Maybe it's for the best because I was already crazy as hell so I'd probably be long dead by now.😄✌️ Great video!
Right on.
We could be dead like Cobain, Wieland, Cornell, or Staley.
I think back on my 20's - 40's, and I have absolutely no idea what I was thinking.
Thank you so much man - and I can relate on so many levels with what you said. Lol and like you, I guess it kept me out of trouble too. Rock on fellow working player 🤘🤘
Lmao how the hell did we ever survive 🤣
It's an important topic to talk about - not just in the context of music, but life and societal structures in general. Especially in times where people are constantly being put on this guilt trip with the narrative that overachievers in society simply "worked hard", "wanted it enough", "believed in themselves" and were "grinding and hustling" while apparently everyone else is a lazy bastard who's waiting for handouts. For anyone interested in a more academic view on these things - look into Pierre Bourdieu and his "[(habitus)(capital)] + field = practice" formula.
Nailed it thank you!
That's another reason why Jimi Hendrix will never be replaced in my mind not only as the greatest creative talent but also the guitarist that had the most impact.
Shove your privilege !
Honestly as a natural ear learner, this is important. I didn't know how hard people had to work to learn guitar. I started playing melodies from videogames with no tabs. But with no training or guidance I've totally peaked at three string sweeps and two scales i like. My memory is good with songs i know but i have no discipline.
You are similar to me. Have you been diagnosed for autism, you might have a touch
@@Ottophil it's pretty easy to take for granted what comes easy for you. It's called being lazy as f@#$ 😎
@@OttophilI have autism and I’m pretty good
@@jrlikesmetalmost of us are
@@Ottophil idk why tho, I’ve only been playing for a year
All of these ppl in the list are very talented! Capable of making a crowd by themselves, crowd that pays for their way of living! Nepotism is something more specific and blood related!
They are all definitely talented! The study here really is centered on the fact that one common thread between all of them was that they never had to go paycheck to paycheck, except for Slash. But he had gained so much wisdom from his early years and really put it to good use. Similarly on the other end of the spectrum, Wolfgang really came into his own despite being under the shadow of his dad. But all the players I covered had some interesting levels of support that freed them up to really be able to develop themselves.
I know what you are saying and yes it must help having money and access to good equipment and tuition but at the end of the day lot's and lot's of players are afforded that luxury that do not make it, just those very few very gifted people manage to make it, Talent finds away.
It's absolutely true - if everybody we're giving those same opportunities there are only a few that are going to rise to the top. But here the playing field is a little lopsided. Only a small percentage really get the opportunities to flourish that way.
When you have a true love for music, resources and expensive instruments are not a barrier. A genuine musician will choose music over glitz and riches because the music is the treasure.
Might be wrong about about this, but pretty sure Misha Mansoor and Brandon Ellis were well-off before becoming musicians. Misha talks about how his parents didn't buy him a Lamborghini... as if most musicians stumble into that eventually... He seems like more of a businessman now than a musician anyway but i'd be amazed if he didn't have a massive headstart. Brandon is in an extreme death metal band (Black Dahlia Murder), so i doubt is raking in cash from that, but even before tbdm he had like a dozen + super high end guitars, home studio, amazing amp collection etc. Not to take away anything from the amazing talent of both of these guys. And you don't choose what you're born into, you take advantage of opportunities. Also i am speculating, don't take what i say as gospel. I doubt most musicians with a headstart would acknowledge how much easier it is when you have financial security
You make a lot of great points!! I think a lot of people just have a hard time having a look behind the curtain and seeing the reality of it. Sure, some people truly got lucky - that is a real tiny few. This is a deviation from my regular content. Normally I cover guitar player biographies and I will say that the common thread between them is that they had some support coming up. Yet a lot of players I run into might have some varying degrees of support, and haven't leveraged it, while others just got stuck living paycheck to paycheck right out the gate and never had a chance. It's a harsh reality - but there are definitely ways around it. That's some of what I was trying to get across at the end of the video. Thanks for your comment I really appreciate it!
Thank you so much for covering this. I grew up poor, played guitar for 17 years now, but luckily i play as a hobby so don't need professional recording equipment, connections etc. Got a lot of respect for people who genuinely come from nothing and take career risks to pursue their passion professionally. So often successful people, inc. guitarists talk about how it's all just hard work and practise. Sure, it is partly that, but financial security from parents, access to resources, free time, less stress, less pressure, all contribute. It's often a perfect storm of these things. I wish more people would acknowledge this, so young aspiring guitarists watching yt don't think you have to have a wall of 5k Jackson custom shop guitars, a home studio and an expensive camera and mic setup to be a great musician.
My goodness what a freaking fantastic comment! Nailed it right on the head. A lot of people coming in here are leveling the charge that I'm saying the parents handed them everything on a silver platter. But a lot of them really it just came down to the fact that they were provided enough to not have to live paycheck to paycheck somewhere. And often that's all it takes. The wall of Jackson's haha yep! I swear, some of the walls that people are putting up are baffling too. I was just hoping to teach some of the viewers maybe a different way of looking at things, but man - totally unexpected with a lot of these folks coming in. Unbelievable.
Imagine if I didn't have to hang seamless gutters, deliver papers...I could go on and on.
I hear you 100%!
How about Taylor Swift? Her father is one of the wealthiest stock traders in the country?
Yep, I could see that too.... Bad enough having rockers after me, but to have swifties too? Oh hell no - cannot escape that group 🤣
Yeah they may have been helped by parents and what not but they earned their way to success through hard work. Also theres nothing wrong with parents wanting to support their kids
No one said there is anything wrong with it. The point is that like every other facet of life, the wealthy have all the advantages.
Absolutely nothing wrong with it - and I wish a lot more people had that chance.
Yea, that checks out.
Rich gets richer,
Poor gets poorer.
Slash wrote the most memorable guitar solos of all time.
Some say having to struggle, having hardships and just overall having life crushing your nuts on a daily basis makes for better music. I absolutely agree that a hard life makes better music.
Still...99.99% of all guitarists will never make a dime for playing. Because the key word is Play. I'm like almost everyone else, it's just a moderately expensive hobby that's a lot of fun.
Definitely the truth right there
Mum said "You were born with nothing, we're not rich! When we (mum and dad) die, we're not leaving you anything! You have to make everything for yourself!".
Yeah, my mother proactively discouraged my musical pursuits, probably because she gave up painting and violin when she married young .She made it abundantly clear that she thought that it would never make enough money.
It is a damn shame that some parents can be that way. I can only imagine - but man that really sucks!
That is a shame to hear that -I've covered a lot of these guitar players and when it came down to it the one common denominator is that they had support in some way shape or form. And that support can go so damn far!
I think it’s far to say all these players have a natural ability for the instrument.
Yes they do - the rub is that a lot of other players do too. We're talking ones that are complete virtuosos even, but many of them you will never hear of because life just got too much in the way. This is somewhat of a balanced look at how these particular players were able to operate a little bit more freely due to their circumstances, and how that might affected into their success.
Can't we all just agree to smack John Mayer?
🤣 damn it Dave!!! Freaking dying over here lmao
This video just makes me have more of an appreciation for those great blues musicians of the early 20th century who grew up in the jim crowe era of the deep south on plantations. Musicians like muddy waters , Bb king, howlin wolf, and BUDDY GUY! They didnt have anything but a cheap 2 dollar guitar and a dream and inspite of all the adversity they faced and disadvantages they were born into, they still had the fortitude and determination to make things happen ❤
Hell yeah - those guys lived the blues, and it came oozing out in their music. You're talking the real deal right there!
The whole part about Slash was only partly accurate…they make it seem like he started networking into his role in one of the biggest rock bands in history from birth. The guy was homeless for the first 5 years of GNR at least. Yes, you can say that he definitely grew up in proximity to people in the business, but make no mistake, he had to work his ass off. He tried out for big bands at the time, Poison being one, that weren’t willing to hire him, even with all his “connections”. The rock scene in LA at the time was primarily made of white men, and here he was, a half black male with a different look that I imagine a lot of bands didn’t care to take a chance on when it came to achieving success. He met Bowie when he was really young, and didn’t see or talk to him again until he was much, much older. Same thing with David Geffen. He had been on Geffen’s record label for years before Geffen realized that Slash was Saul Hudson, whom he had met when he was a child. Yes, Slash was born into a family of people that worked in the business - his mother did costumes for some performers and his Dad designed maybe a handful or album covers years before - but he definitely worked for what he achieved. It was no cake walk, especially in the beginning.
I love this comment. You nailed it on the head, of course a lot of people are misunderstanding where I'm coming from due to the title. But hey - titles sometimes are where the UA-cam magic happens. Slash is the real deal. The thing about him that I covered in the video basically comes down to the fact that he was smart. He had a sense that it was going to take more than just becoming a great player to break through. His material goods he got was wisdom - and he came screaming onto the scene full of wisdom. Don't let the title fool you, I am on the same page.
Slash was never homeless. He joined Hollywood Rose at 19 in 1985 and they were pretty successful locally. Not ultra rich but certainly had enough for a place to stay and rent rehearsal space. Two years later Appetite came out.
Slash was living with his grandmother and mother until Appetite came out. I think Axl was staying with him too
Imo, you’re way too generous in the video. Like, yeah, a stabile upbringing is a huge plus, but let’s not pretend that’s the main problem. The main problem is musicians (and actors, this is a problem in all of Hollywood, not just the music industry) becoming popular, not because they’re super talented, but because their parents have the connections to get them good contracts. Then, the record labels do some marketing, and boom, you have a completely new, fake, not in any way organic superstar, that didn’t actually earn their success. And the problem isn’t that their parents helped them, it’s not even that they’re popular, it’s that they became popular in such a forced and inorganic way, through sheer marketing. And even better, the end product could be dogshit, it will still sell if marketed enough and in the right way. While actually talented artists, with a genuine message, are left starving.
Exactly - and the players I brought up in here are not part of that problem at all. Instead they contribute so much to music - my study is really on that little extra bit that pushed them over the top. It's really a big deal for a lot of these players to not have had to have lived paycheck to paycheck.... Often having multiple jobs to make ends meet. That is a weight that makes it darn near impossible even with people who are brimming with talent. But in the more extreme case that you mentioned, yep that's the biggest problem of them all. And it is a complete dumbing down and commercialization of music in such a nauseating fashion.
Money dont make someone a genius
Nope but it certainly helps them how a publicist so the works knows just how much of a genius they are.
Everyone is a rags to riches story if you ignore the silver spoon.
That is a great statement right there!
Wolf can shred, not really into his music, but that kid put some time in for sure, and hes a class act
He really is - and I was pretty blown away by how good of a multi-instrumentalist he is. He had the opportunity, and he ran with it fully to his credit.
Saying Matteo Mancuso showcased stage presence (at any age) is definitely stretching QUITE far...phenomenal player, but I definitely ain't rushing to grab my wallet to see him play..and notice I said play, not PERFORM. If I'm paying to see a musician, I'd better see more than someone staring at their fretboard for 1 1/2 hours.
I agree with the other commenters, you went a bridge too far. You're basically saying that anybody who wasn't born homeless was just handed their career. I had good parents, both with musical backgrounds. That didn't get me into the charts.
I mean nothing is mutually exclusive. My point is that if you have a group of people who did not get any support whatsoever and have to slog it in one or two or three jobs living paycheck to paycheck to pay the rent and you had another group with the same exact drive who had enough material and emotional support not necessarily being rich as all hell or anything like that, that they do stand a better chance. I think that makes sense does it not?
You should read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, he outlines "the privilege" that the rolling stones and beatles "used" to become the biggest and best performing bands in England.
What's your point? Would you like them to acknowledge it and beg for your forgiveness? Would you like everyone to be equally miserable and start from rock bottom? Did you recently learn that life isn't fair?
@@buckodonnghaile4309 remember the young cunts nowadays get and expect ribbons just for turning up.. and anyone successful must be turn down.. just from the comments you can tell not many use critical thinking.. so don't throw pearls at swines brother..
The Beatles slogged it our for nickels and dimes for years in Germany, and the come from poor families!?
Great book - and gladwell is one of my favorite authors all around. Differing circumstances let people get those 10,000 hours in, or holds them back from getting them in. Mick was actually pretty well off, which doesn't take away from what he did. The thing about it is those guys were able to get their 10,000 hours in actually working in the craft itself.
@@benburndred2226I wish I could remember who said it, but I recall hearing it said that, backstage, the Beatles actually were the guys that the Stones pretended to be: working class, rough around the edges and maybe just a bit menacing(?). Brian Epstein upgraded their wardrobe and polished their presentation. Have you ever heard this?
I'm sure that there are a LOT more of these that you could do.
You know it's funny - because you're right. The list can be virtually endless. I've been covering guitar players for a good while now, and each time I would make that little mental note about whether they had any form of support or not growing up. Every one of them in one way shape or form were put in a position where they were either sent to a good school, got connections, or were given a roof over their head so that they were not completely financially stressed.
To jest materiał, na który wszyscy czekaliśmy! Dzięki.
🤘🤘 thank you!
The only nepo babies on this list are slash and Wolfgang van halen. Definitely Wilfh.
Well, this is sort of an endorsement of punk. The first wave of punk were all working class often from troubled backgrounds, they had something to say if not musical sophistication.
Did you know johnny rotten girlfriend/wife was/is a billionaire heiress thus allowing him to maintain his high artistic standards without having to consider commercial ramifications.
@@rockdanger Did not know that. However, I doubt she married him before he became rock's bete terrible.
Excellent point - and the music reflects that, with its raw and gritty vibe.
Very interesting!
When I found out about this sort of privilege I low-key hated my life. It only dawned on me in recent years, that I could have been way further If I have had the support I needed. All I ever wanted to do was being a professional musician. But I could never afford all the fancy instruments, tools or lessons. Had to work and go to school for "a real job". And the resistance of my family and those whom I needed support from the most wouldn't or couldn't give it.
I'm basically fully self-taught and I managed to be part of some amazing projects, bands or music schools as a teacher and I can proudly say that despite all the resistance, setbacks or struggles, I aquired some pretty good skills and had fuckin amazing times with my musician friends. It's a demanding journey but I'm still nourishing my dreams. I encourage everyone to do the same!
And maybe, some day, some of us will be rewarded. :)
Thanks for sharing that - I can relate 100%. Same thing no support, and financial insecurity until the end of time. But, that's true, all we can do is just keep on trucking. Keep on rocking man!
Having supportive parents is a huge part of this equation. But that support does not have to come in the form of massive amounts of money. I have a few friends who became very, very famous just having parents who didn't demand that they dump their dreams in favor of a "respectable job." I think it's also worth mentioning that when you're young getting affirmation from your parents is the first spark in the journey.
Damn - you nailed it! That was the exact point I was trying to make in the video almost to the t. But, titles and thumbnails are sadly just as important according to UA-cam so we've got to play the game. But you got it man. It really just comes down to support - and unfortunately there are a lot of people out there who don't get that support - not necessarily monetary but just having people that believe in them sometimes is all it takes. Thanks for your comment, I really do appreciate that!
I appreciate the work that you put into this but "nepo babies"? Really?
Since when is growing up in a financially stable family nepotism?
It was a great title so I ran with it. And yes at least one of them we would have never heard of without parents making it happen - but that's not to their fault. But a lot of people just do not have the financial stability to be able to launch a career like that. Some are able to get in the 10,000 hours to develop their ability, and some are able to get in the 10,000 hours to do some schmoozing, but doing both requires a lot of free resources to make it happen.
I realized when going to art school , and then working within NYC's fine arts community, that the vast majority of those who became " professionals" or successful in all areas of the arts, - music, visual, film, acting, dance, - ALL came from wealthy backgrounds.The couple of individuals that I actually knew personally that went on to have actual careers were all from wealthy and sheltered backgrounds.
It's funny to hear them misrepresent their "struggle" in interviews, - and slightly disgusting as well.
The financial and family support usually make a critical difference.After all , Marilyn Manson and Taylor Swift both have careers courtesy of their parent's wealth and influence.TBF, the flip side is that you can generally hear and tell the difference, - unless, of course, part of the image is about privledge and entitlement.
Like an old gang leader once asked ; " that's all great, but does it have heart?Do you have heart?"
I know that the musicians that I follow commonly managed to break the mold, and become exceptions to the rule.
Some really excellent points there - and different arts have differing expectations on the support that is given. A majority of actors who even don't have to live pay check to paycheck still struggle, and then that realm it usually takes more true full blown nepotism to make anything happen. But then again acting doesn't really provide opportunities for people to come up with grassroots audiences, it's usually full on Discovery mode only.
Upper-middle class kids grow up with a confidence that poor kids like myself just could never match.
I saw it myself. The kids that never struggled or lay at night sick to nearly vomiting with anxiety about how their parents were going to pay the bills just have a thing where they glide through life.
I had friends like that and everything just came natural to them. Everything I achieved in life was a pitched battle against the loser mindset I grew up in.
It's a totally different game..... Just the relative lack of stress alone makes a HUGE difference. Thanks for sharing that man!! 🙏
NOt entirely disagreeing or agreeing with what you are trying to convey but using your own logic, Sean Lennon had all the resources available to his advantage including DNA make up from one of the greatest song writers that has ever walked the earth... yet that didn't do much for Sean's career. Similar example with different outcome, Wolf VH... he had DNA and support from one of the most talented guitar virtuosos in the history of ROCK however Wolf actually has talent as he has already carved his own lane in Rock generating quite a fan base in the short time he's been putting out music. Mammoth WVH's fan may have come to check out their music as curiosity but stayed because the music is good. I have seen them live a few times and Wolf sounds just like the records live. At the end of the day, nepo babies cannot fake their way to the top if they lack talent and sustain that success with a loyal fan base. John Mayer, has been revered by the like of Eric Clapton, BB King and a plethora of guitar players... while he might have a leg up in the financial support department his musical talent skills are more on the natural side to tap into that magic that some either have it or don't. And that is the reason he is able to sustain a loyal following base by being relentless and working hard. It's not as easy as you may think to get Infront of thousands and perform at will.
All very good points. And we are talking shear talent here, that's why I made sure to grab a talented bunch for this little study. It's just a common theme I've seen in covering some of my favorite players so I thought I would bundle that all up together into a video about that particular topic. It's caused a lot of people heartburn, because it's more comforting to have the idea that they simply just had the talent and because of that everything else fell their way. I've played professionally for many years and I'm not even going to put myself into this equation but instead say that I've been surrounded by some players that would indeed blow away most of the people any of us have heard about who have had commercial success. Some of them were so driven, and we're talking writing incredible songs, absolutely commanding the stage, and being true virtuosos, but life just took over and weighed them down. I've seen it first hand, and so I just became interested in the topic a bit hence the video.
i always wonder how far i could have gone if i had the right support. i grew up around playing music but it wasn't focused to develop my potential. then later i learned to play crowds but i was too old by then to be in a true rock band.
i like the story of Angus Young's rise to fame. thats real rock and roll!
Yep, there's a lot of us in that same boat. Can definitely relate for sure. Angus definitely came up very rock and roll, and Metallica too
A thousand thumbs up for covering this angle that people do not ordinarily even consider. Being poor sucks! Not everyone is given an opportunity to make it in the music industry. 👍👍
In addition to the safety net that generational wealth provides, there is a benefit of time that others would have to spend working at jobs. There is also a risk of injury at work that can upend one's dreams in an instant.
Thank you CDAWG!! You nailed it on the head. I'm hoping folks will catch the end part of the video, because there are definitely ways nowadays that people also didn't have back when a lot of these artists were coming up. Taking advantage of social media, open jams, and all sorts of little things that could add up. Of course developing the goods as a player and being in a position were you still have to pay the bills and put food on the table can be tricky, but again we do have a lot of resources nowadays. When I came up - it required a lot of doing without sleep. I've probably missed years of sleep in order to get to a place I hoped to be at as a player. And then of course it doesn't translate on this medium, so I sit and do bios instead lol.
Damn right - you get what I'm saying. And I think a lot of people out there are just having a hard time understanding that it's not that these guys did anything wrong. As a matter of fact they took opportunities that they had some of them bigger opportunities than others, and then ran with them and made something happen with it. And there are guys like us who just didn't get that extra space. For me I was able to develop the playing ability no doubt - but I couldn't develop what to do with the playing ability if that makes sense. When you're given that time at a young age you could build up the entire picture when it counts - after so many years breaking in as a new artist becomes decidedly more difficult no matter the opportunity at that point.
Another great video 😊
Thanks Damon!
all the money and connections don't mean shit if you don't have natural talent and good work ethic. Timing is everything but who you know wont matter one bit if you are an average artist.
Exactly - they go hand in hand!
So I guess the maxim holds true: It's not what ya know, it's who ya know...
Exactly!
it's like this in all the arts. can you rent out a gallery in nyc for your opening? do you have to have a job?
Jobs are definitely helpful in a lot of cases
It used to be that you found your own interests away from your parents because very few parents were cool.
Now all parents are cool and people prance out of the womb with a selfie stick and their parents cool credits
Hahaha ain't that the truth!
I basically had to put up with a jazz elitist in music school who was one of these, snickering at me daily.
Oh my god that had to have been annoying as hell
I was never impressed with tim henson
if you look at slashs biography he didnt have an easy road with guns and roses ,in fact he avoided using his industry contacts, wanting to make it on his own
He definitely didn't - my point with him was that the knowledge that he gained he put to very good use.
Is undeniable have a good financial family helps a lot. But nepotism is about having family menber in the industry who helped out to have a record deal way easier
Apparently Trivium were all rich kids, too.
Yup... Very well off
Enjoyed that 😊
Thank you Tamson! This one definitely a ruffled a lot of feathers 🤣
Sports too.
Oh yeah - sports is a big one!
Shouldn't everyone utilize the resources they have available?
Absolutely!
I grew up in a middle class Family. LOL
Got me beat 🤘🤣🤘
To show theres no ill feelings even though i dont like this video i hit the thumb up cause i do like youre work in general #310
That truly is class act material right there. Thank you for that Tommy! 🤘🤘 The title is throwing a lot of people off though I think. I meant to be a bit more nuanced in the actual video itself. But man .... Some of the reactions to this one have been pretty damn extreme lol. I guess that's what makes UA-cam interesting. Really do appreciate it brother.
@guitarmeetsscience thank you back brother way to show class and I don't know how to says it so I just will getting it you're more than allright yer learning and progressing and there is alot to be Said for that in general keep up the good work I nean I'll admit you don't see me putting my self out hear too much for the world to either well judge and all that I mean i got my channel and there is vary much me showing how much music skill I either have or have not but it ain't the same at keast to me any way I'll leave this with thank you for this interaction and salute
I can see how these guys had advantages and all, but like as a lower middle class raised kid, having bad equipment doesn’t make me better, I’m just as good on a Squier as I would be on a Gibson or smth, just growing up with rich parents doesn’t make you good, it just takes some of the risk away from going for it and trying to make it in music.
Exactly - it's not the gear so much. I mean in Tim Henson's case it actually made a big deal, because he really utilized technology to his advantage. But when you talk about the risk part - yes, if one was put in a position where they had to work in access of 40 hours a week living paycheck to paycheck, it is much harder to put together something meaningful. Those support systems can make or break an artist, and they don't have to be rich - they just have to be free enough to not have the day-to-day stresses bogging them down.
@@guitarmeetsscience for real, having the freedom to do the EVH thing and do 4-5 hours a day would be great to make it but I’m working 40-50 a week and watching UA-cam videos on lunch (like the vids btw, can I suggest doing a Jason Becker video?)
Oh yeah - I hear you. Cobbling things together for UA-cam between shifts is a royal pain in my hindside as well. Jason has been in the work for a good while, but he's harder to cover than meets the eye. I definitely want to do him justice. Absolutely great suggestion man! Thank you - I'm really glad you enjoy the stuff on this channel.
Cracks me up when John Mayer tries to ape Hendrix's stage rap "Hope you don't mind if I play my guitar".A few years back when we played the Cavern in Liverpool I visited John Lennon's house which was definitely an upper class Tudor style 2 story home while the rest of the Beatles were raised in government housing.It's funny how these white guys like to portray themselves as a working class heros.Btw I met Stuart Copeland drummer of the Police who was definitely born with a silver spoon in his mouth as his dad was head of the C.I.A. in the Middle East.He was raised with nannies & still plays that rich man's sport:polo.
Much more to the Copeland CIA connection than meets the eye.
@@rockdanger The agency got them gigs in 3rd world countries.
But he got his wings clipped when he meet Sting
Damn those are some pretty crazy stories too!
'I attended the highly respected music school known as the Dole'' - Steve Hughes.
🤣 lol exactly
Wow your hitting the G spot...😅
Hahaha Right? Damn lol
Money can't buy talent
Poor famous musicians next?
Now that would be an interesting one
Hanneman,kreator guitarist
…Stevie Nicks supported Buckingham for a while
By definition, a Nepobaby is someone who has only gotten famous due to being related to someone famous. Education and family wealth means nothing if their parents arent famous musicians themselves. All that indicates is that they're bloody lucky!
A lot of this is very repetitive. But once I learned that you can only make it by having rich parents or a well-connected relative, I gave up the dream. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
what was the point of the video? just because someone had good things in life doesnt mean they didnt work any harder to get where they are. Stop being a low key hater.
You missed the point. When have no connections, and poor, is harder to get at the same level as easily. All the time subtracted from focus IS key
@@JasonMahaffey-iw8pzthat’s not what nepotism refers to. Nepotism inherently involves powerful people favouring relatives or friends, not what this video is about.
Travis - The real point of the video comes at the end. All the people mentioned had support in one way shape or form, and they used it to their advantage. Talent alone would have made them just like any other person with a similar level of talent. But they were able to cut above in order to get their name out there. The real point comes at the end where I let everybody know that they too can also leverage more than just talent and that there are things they can do to be able to get into the network as well.
I don't think that having caring parents, who actually do their jobs, is the same thing as being a nepobaby. Even if someone were a nepobaby, it doesn't mean that they would have any talent. Your premise is a real stretch. Plenty of talented people, who achieved success, had no family encouragement whatsoever, and money sure can't buy talent. TBH, you sound kind of jealous.
Absolutely good points. The title is really throwing people out of whack... If I sound jealous, honestly I'm just too damn old to be jealous of anything anymore. This is more of a study based on the fact that I've done so many biographies of guitar players that I thought it might be interesting to put together that thread of a support system that they had where they were able to really develop into the players that we've come to know and love. My biggest purpose if you will was actually at the very end of the video which nobody watched till apparently where I go into how the average person might be able to get a leg up as well.
I guess your only allowed to be a REAL musician if you lived the shittiest life
Absolutely right - look at the blues players from back in the day
12:30 What in the name of RICHIE BLACKMORE?
?
Matt Heafy....daddy literally bought him a record deal. Trivium were coddled every step of the way too, from paying to be on concert tours and festivals to having the whole band equipped with top-tier instruments and gear. 😂
Damn - pretty damn crazy - great example!
I remember hearing an interview clip with Heafy a few years ago and he said something to the effect of, "yeah man I had some real difficult times, I had to sell some of my signature guitars" and I died laughing lol.
so I guess Kotzen is the best?
He's pretty damn good - can totally shred and has the vocal chops to match
Kotzen is crazy skilled and talented. 🤘🏼
And I don't like none of these in the video.
Got it- Can't win, don't try.
Basically... the sooner you learn the game is rigged, the better for you.
@@rockdanger who wants to be a rock pig anyways? The cheques are nice, but they ain't changing the world.
You need to go back and catch the end of that video.... There are definitely ways to break past it.
That is the truth - and not to stop you either, but more to make a person a bit savier knowing that just mastering an instrument is only part of the game.
That's why you have to respect Dave, James, Kirk, and Kilff... Not, Lars. Aka rich kind with no talent. 😄
Sounds like to me you just don’t like Lars because he came from a comfortable/privileged family. But you like the other band members? Dave Mustaine was a total ass in the beginning of that band…an alcoholic and addict that was mean as hell at times. He urinated on the first bassist’s bass and didn’t tell the guy, and thought it funny. That doesn’t matter though? That kind of attitude towards people will hold you back as you get older. What matters in my opinion, is character. And you can have that or not have that and it doesn’t always depend on your background. Sometimes it does, but not always. I’d rather get to know people personally first before passing that kind of judgment instead of letting my prejudices which, keep in mind, don’t just mean judging people on aesthetic qualities, determine what I think about people.
I get it lol
John Mayer sucks anyways lame no heart no soul so you see that's what happens when you're coddled look at Kurt Cobain had to suffer had it hard his music and John Mayer's is worlds apart John Mayer's music is so pedestrian and lame his name shouldn't be even uttered in the same paragraph as Kurt Cobain's I've always thought John Mayer really sucks anyways now I know why
Dave Grohl is the new John Mayer, should have stuck with the drums
theres multiple musicians on here that can fit into that