I read the article "Why the Music Industry Hates Guitar Hero" written by Jeff Howe. This article explains a few reasons as to why the music industry dislikes what games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are doing with their music. The music industry seems to think these games are not paying enough to use the songs they are using in their games, but really shouldn't they be thankful that some of these old songs and artists are getting more recognition in younger audiences?
Just being put into these popular video games isn't the only thing that may spark interest into new viewers, but being able to play the songs in game creates a new way to look at the songs and how the instruments are played. I can say first hand that I wouldn't be interested at all in older artists like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith if it wasn't for video games like Guitar Hero. With this music gaming phenomenon, the money may not come in immediately after being put in the game, but after people play it and get into certain types of music they will be more likely to buy CDs, t-shirts, and all kinds of merchandise.
As arts classes are cut out of schools across the country, these video games expose the next generation of kids to instruments, and really gives them the first hand experience to actually enjoy and become interested in playing guitar or drums. This could prove to be priceless as cuts in education are happening every year. If we do not teach kids art and music, the entire genre could be gone soon.
