Waterman attacks "snobbish" music industry

[dutchman]

Pete Waterman has criticised how difficult it is to become involved in the music industry.



Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the music producer claimed that record labels have become "snobbish" about who they hire, directly resulting in a different type of popstar.

"It's never been worse," he said. "You know, the major companies dominate and what they do is, they see a CV and if you haven't got 96 O Levels, you aint getting a job. It's as simple as that.

"What this is, is job protection. In the old days you got a job in the music industry because you knew something about music, or were passionate about it and people gave you a chance. Now when your CV goes through, they don't take you unless you've been to university full stop."

Asked if this was the same for new artists, he continued: "I think that when all the A&R people wear Jack Wills clothes, it tells you where they are going. It's become snobbish. It's become a snobbish culture.

"If you go back even 20 years, if you weren't greatly educated you became a boxer, a footballer or a popstar," he added. "Now if you're not educated you won't become a popstar - because you're never going to get the interview."