Elton John wants the internet shut down

Thursday, August 02, 2007
Pop legend Sir Elton John wants the internet closed down because he feels that the cyberspace is destroying good music. The flamboyant singer insists that internet has suppressed the face-to-face communication among people, as a result of which long-term artistic vision has died.

"The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK but it doesn't bode well for long-term artistic vision. It's just a means to an end," British tabloid The Sun quoted him as saying. "We're talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that's not going to happen with people blogging on the internet. I mean, get out there - communicate," he added.

Elton, who recently announced that his albums would be made available for digital download, feels that the world of music may soon have to observe a petition for the closure of the internet.

"Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet. Let's get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging," he said. "I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. There's too much technology available. I'm sure, as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting than it is today," he added.

The Grammy award-winner, who turned 60 earlier this year, had revealed in the past that he did not use contemporary technology for composing his music.

"I am the biggest technophobe of all time. I don't have a mobile phone or an iPod or anything. I am such a Luddite when it comes to making music. All I can do is write at the piano," he had said.