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Pop Stars
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Since the 1950s, most of the stars of pop music
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have come from Britain and America.
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However, in the last ten years,
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when many different kinds of music
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have established themselves on the pop scene,
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more and more stars have come from other countries.
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Pop music changes all the time
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and new stars appear and become famous.
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Many of today’s stars started out in the 1960s
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and have changed their music to suit the time.
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Although most stars take many years to become famous,
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their fame does not usually last long.
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For a musician to stay popular
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and still produce good,
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original music over a long period of time,
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is a sign of true star.
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Most stars start their careers in a simple way —
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playing in unknown nightclubs or dance halls
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where people want to dance to the music,
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not listen to it.
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They may have continued doing this for many years
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until they get a “break” —
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a chance to perform in a well-known place
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or get a recording contract.
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To become a star is the aim of every singer or musician
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and the dream of many a pop-crazy teenager.
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However a group or star makes it to the top,
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they can be sure that their lives
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will change once they are successful.
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Ordinary teenagers living at home with their parents
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may suddenly find themselves rich enough
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to buy their own houses.
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An established superstar may be able to buy several.
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Despite the large amounts of money that are earned,
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life at the top is not easy for many stars.
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The pop scene is hard work and many stars
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need to spend a lot of time away from home.
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For a lot of them,
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this means they have no home life
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and their personal relationships suffer.
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In spite of great public success,
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life at the top can be very lonely.