Geldof used his acceptance speech at the Gold Badge Awards ceremony yesterday to criticise the internet goliaths for monopolising communication channels.
He also said that broadcasters are guilty of ‘letting the music industry diminish’ and voiced concerns over its future.
‘The monopolists that are Facebook and Google are not cool at all. They are robbing the world of a very vital ability to distribute and disseminate ideas. And broadcasters here should be ashamed of themselves. They are letting what was the sixth largest industry in our time diminish.
‘I don't see how you get Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood, the movies and the television, without the rock ‘n’ roll boys and girls. I don't understand how you get the politics you have without the rock ‘n’ roll boys and girls. I hope it continues through the rest of my life, but I will wear a badge with great pride saying that, in my time, I participated in this great thing that came from this country.’
Geldof also paid tribute to his old friend and industry colleague Pete Briquette, with whom he started the Boomtown Rats, and said that they had The Beatles to thank for instigating ’40 years of endless magical creativity in British music’.
He received his award yesterday for his services to British music. Alison Moyet, Anne Dudley, folk artist Kate Rusby, broadcaster Jo Whiley and publisher Peter Cornish were among the others honoured.
The annual event is organised by BASCA and sponsored by PRS for Music.
He also said that broadcasters are guilty of ‘letting the music industry diminish’ and voiced concerns over its future.
‘The monopolists that are Facebook and Google are not cool at all. They are robbing the world of a very vital ability to distribute and disseminate ideas. And broadcasters here should be ashamed of themselves. They are letting what was the sixth largest industry in our time diminish.
‘I don't see how you get Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood, the movies and the television, without the rock ‘n’ roll boys and girls. I don't understand how you get the politics you have without the rock ‘n’ roll boys and girls. I hope it continues through the rest of my life, but I will wear a badge with great pride saying that, in my time, I participated in this great thing that came from this country.’
Geldof also paid tribute to his old friend and industry colleague Pete Briquette, with whom he started the Boomtown Rats, and said that they had The Beatles to thank for instigating ’40 years of endless magical creativity in British music’.
He received his award yesterday for his services to British music. Alison Moyet, Anne Dudley, folk artist Kate Rusby, broadcaster Jo Whiley and publisher Peter Cornish were among the others honoured.
The annual event is organised by BASCA and sponsored by PRS for Music.
