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Dave Gahan, Robert Smith and More Join Campaign to Save BBC 6 Music

Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan, the Cure's Robert Smith and Suede's Brett Anderson are among the musicians who've joined a new online campaign to try and save digital radio station BBC 6 Music.

They have all contributed video messages of support or quotes to the website www.thejoyof6.com. Members of Editors, Kaiser Chiefs and Elbow are also on board.

Smith said of 6 Music, "It is one of the few ways -- if not the only way -- for musicians new and old unwilling or unable to conform to any dull, notional mainstream to be heard by a national audience."

Content on The Joy of 6 is collated and managed by music industry body, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). On the site, organisers describe it as a platform for the "entire UK music community to come together to publicly demonstrate its support for 6 Music." They invite visitors to complete a survey they aim to use as part of a submission to the BBC Trust.

As previously reported in Spinner, the indie/alt rock/new music-friendly station is threatened with closure following a strategic review across the whole of the BBC, though the Trust's chairman Sir Michael Lyons says the decision may be reversed if 6 Music gains enough public support. The station, meanwhile, continues to broadcast. This week, for example, representatives from the three main political parties will take part in a live debate on the future of the music industry.

Presenter Richard Bacon will be joined at 3pm on April 30 by Labour's minister for culture and tourism, Margaret Hodge, the Tories' former shadow culture media, John Whittingdale, and Don Foster for the Liberal Democrats, ahead of the May 6 General Election. Feargal Sharkey, the former Undertones frontman and head of industry group UK Music, will also be in the studio.

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MinnieCooper

You're so funny... Quarrel about the word "rock legends" instead of honouring the good idea *rolleyes*

May 29 2010 at 7:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ALTMusicHooligan

A.K Johnnie: Just because your list comprises the most conventional and obvious of persons who receive constant play on humdrum American 'Rock' radio does not mean that they are the end all and be all of who should be considered a 'Rock' legend. Your list is of your own conjuring and reflects your personal biases combined with the names of artists who are often coddled by the mainstream music press. Of course, John Lennon and Jim Morrison are obvious 'Legends' who have no need for introduction, but being that your top 12 list is a reflection of artists regularly praised by mainstream music critics, it is beyond me how neither, Keith Richards nor The Rolling Stones were mentioned among 'your' top 5. May he rest in peace, but your inclusion of 'Dimebag Darrel' in your top list was truly laughable. You may have well included Toby Keith or Keith Urban in your top list of 'Rock Legends.' Regardless what you say, Robert Smith is a Rock Legend and both The Cure and Depeche Mode are 'Legendary Bands' who are most importantly innovators and have influenced countless artists and musicians. I rest my case.

May 26 2010 at 3:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim Bow

Isn't getting away from Legends is what 6 music is all about. Its about giving new bands the leg up not harping on about Leg Ends and for those who are disparaging and mocking the campaign I can only see a career as a BBC Executive. God Rest Your Soul.

April 30 2010 at 7:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cindy

Rock legends? I don't know...maybe it's me...but I thought John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Brian May, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen...were true legends. But Dave Gahan and Robert Smith? Those are legends?

April 29 2010 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Cindy's comment
will

I find it amusing that the music industry in the UK is championing radio as a source of exposure to new music while the music industry in the US is dismissing radio as irrelevant to new music promotion and is seeking congressional approval to tax it into the Stone Age.

April 29 2010 at 6:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cindy

nice LOOKING guyliner...looks like something out of a horror flick

April 29 2010 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chad

Focus people! Save 6!!!

"waffle house waitress" heh heh.

April 29 2010 at 3:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bret

Who is the Waffle House waitress in the picture?

April 29 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to bret's comment
Plat250

That is F**king HILARIUOS i dont care who you are!!!

April 29 2010 at 3:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bret

My mistake, it's actually the queen of England.

April 29 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Angela

I totally agree with you. So many bands that are on the radio today have been MAJORLY influenced by DM and the Cure. How many groups have been still recording, still touring and sell thousands of seats 30 years later?

April 29 2010 at 1:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Angela

What an idiot some of you guys are. Robert Smith and David Gahan have sold millions of records. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

April 29 2010 at 1:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply