English
Music is born of inspiration and that inspiration comes from the environment that surrounded the musician at a specific point of time. That´s why some of the greatest musicians and musical groups in history have found their inspiration in cities scattered across the world that, for one reason or another, have provided that je ne sais quoi that has allowed them to create true works of art and enter the annals of history.
The Beatles – Hamburg
One of the cities that served as an important inspiration to what can be considered the most important band in musical history, The Beatles, was Hamburg. This Hanseatic city was home to the Liverpool musicians for over two years, between 1960 and 1962, during which time they played in various musical venues of the famous Reeperbahn, the city’s lively street in the red light district of St Pauli. It was here that they were transformed from a simple rock-n-roll band to one with a unique identity. The group’s famous Beatle haircut was the idea of the artist and German photographer Astrid Kirchherr, whom they met in Hamburg. Indeed, Hamburg’s resemblance to their native Liverpool, with open-minded people and as a port city with red brick buildings and a great nightlife made them feel right at home and their creativity soared.
Foto: Wimox
Jim Morrison – Paris
Another great musician of the twentieth century who had a deep connection with a different European city was Jim Morrison of The Doors. Morrison was in love with Paris and moved there with his girlfriend Pamela Coulson in 1971. He lived in an apartment in the 4th Arrondissement, near the Marais. This district includes the famous Place des Vosges, the Pompidou Centre and part of the Île de la Cité, which is home to Notre Dame Cathedral as well as many small cafes and shops. It’s a place that deeply affected Morrison. The artist spent his last days in the French capital; he died of what is believed to have been a heroin overdose. Today, you can visit his grave in the Père-Lachaise cemetery.
Iggy Pop – New York
Crossing the “pond” we’ll look at a musician who like Morrison created his own unique style: Iggy Pop. The famous singer of The Stooges, found inspiration in New York, a city where cultures and subcultures were thriving. There, Iggy could further develop his talents, first with his band and then later solo. He soon became an icon of the underground culture and New Wave in the Big Apple from the 70s well into the 80s, which is very much reflected in his music.
The Clash and The Sex Pistols – London
Returning to Europe, the cradle of music, London, influenced many groups but few like The Clash. This punk group immortalized London with their most famous song, London Calling, which achieved worldwide success. The Clash was sympathetic to left-wing politics and the punk scene in London which was closely linked to other groups like the Sex Pistols. The London underground was reflected in the music, including topics such as racism, unemployment and drug use in addition to the social disenchantment of a society under the firm control of Margaret Thatcher.
Mecano – Madrid
In Spain, Madrid had its heyday during the 80´s with the Movida Madrileña, a cultural and musical movement that resulted after many years of oppression during the Franco era. The nightclubs in neighborhoods like Malasaña vibrated with new music and art, and groups such as Mecano emerged in the 80s. Their music was like a soundtrack for a whole generation that had finally woken up after almost 40 years of dictatorship and prohibitions. Madrid was described as the city that never sleeps, the cradle of a counterculture movement of a country that tried to jump on the bandwagon of contemporary European culture.
