Pop music will have Olympic role

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

Music fans may want to pay close attention to the London 2012 Olympics, especially since the Games’ organizing committee more than hinted at its intentions four years ago during the closing ceremony for the Beijing Games.

There, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and pop vocalist Leona Lewis emerged from a double-decker bus to perform “Whole Lotta Love,” signaling that the London Games would have a decidedly pop-culture focus.

Secrets and rumors still surround Friday’s opening ceremonies, the latest being that iconic spy figure James Bond (actor Daniel Craig) will open the show and that the very real former Beatle Paul McCartney will close it.

Music is sure to play a pivotal role at the opening event, which is directed by Danny Boyle. His films, including “Trainspotting” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” have used soundtracks as a character. A shortlist of potential songs to be played at the ceremonies was leaked to the British media in June, and it included numbers by the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Rolling Stones and the Who. The latter are confirmed to perform at the closing ceremony.

This will be the first time in Olympic history that music from the opening and closing ceremonies will be digitally released (Universal Music Group will make it available to online retailers in Britain immediately following the event). LOCOG, as the organizing committee is known, also commissioned five original songs for the Games, featuring selections from artists as diverse as rapper Dizzee Rascal and theatrical rockers Muse.

The two-week marriage of sport and music has not come without tension, though. A small but vocal group of artists have started an online petition against what they believe is a lack of proper compensation on the part of Olympic organizers. This is where it gets confusing: The LOCOG has reached an agreement with Britain’s Musicians’ Union that clears the way for volunteers and headlining artists to perform free. So what’s the problem? The fine print states that “professional” musicians are to be paid.

The distinction isn’t quite clear. The Olympics are a showcase for amateur athletes, except for when they’re not (see the participation of millionaire NBA stars).