JOHN Lennon once claimed that The Beatles were bigger than Jesus.
Lennon was correct – and he still is – according to Dr Rupert Till, a Huddersfield University popular music lecturer, and author of the controversial new book ‘Pop Cult’.
Dr Till’s book says pop music replaced Christianity decades ago – and it continues to do so.
The book, which claims rock stars have achieved god-like statuses, has sparked complaints from Christian campaigners, who say the book’s ‘pro-cult’ stance is ‘playing with fire’.
Dr Till said: “The inability of the church to adapt to today’s culture has left it out-of-date and irrelevant.
“Young people especially are looking elsewhere to find a sense of belonging, meaning or transcendence.”
While Dr Till may claim clubbers now outnumber Catholics, Pop Cult is not entirely positive about pop music’s cult figures.
He says: “The death cults that have surrounded rock music have led through drink or drug abuse to fatality or psychological problems for lots of great bands and individual musicians – people like Hendrix, Elvis, the Beach Boys, Charlie Parker, Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, The Who and Led Zeppelin.
“The Scandinavian extreme metal scene led to musicians and fans committing murder and arson.
“But the church’s attitude has been ridiculous over the years, telling us that listening to blues, rock ‘n’ roll, or the Rolling Stones will turn us into some kind of evil beasts.
“No one believes it anymore. Religion no longer has the authority to tell us what to do.
“Overall music is an immensely positive force, to quote from the book: ‘To understand music is to understand life itself.’”
Dr Till’s book, Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music, is available from www.amazon.co.uk and other bookstores.
