Bands in Leadership

So, are YOU in a band?  Have you released albums/CDs/mp3s?  Do you play live shows?  Do you have fans?

If you answered YES to any or all of those questions, then that puts you in a "Leadership" position.  Exactly what do I mean by "Leadership"?  According to Dictionary.com, here is an excerpt on what leadership means:

lead·er·ship

   

[lee-der-ship]

–noun

1.

the position or function of a leader: He managed to maintainhis leadership of the party despite heavy opposition.

2.

ability to lead: She displayed leadership potential.

3.

an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: Theyprospered under his leadership.

4.

the leaders  of a group: The union leadership agreed toarbitrate.

As you can see, leadership isn't just for Government officials, school board leaders, and church pastors, leadership is far more than that.  A band fits 3, if not 4, of the descriptors above.  First of all, a band functions as a leader.  A band has influence over it's followers and fans, therefore has the ability to lead.  Since the band has influence over its fans, they are involved in an act or instance of leading or providing guidance and direction, via lyrics, actions, etc.    Lastly, a band is considered to be a leader of a group of fans, many of which take everything the band says onstage, in their lyrics, and in their actions to heart.

I remember back when I was an impressionable young man in my mid to late teens.  It started with a band named Ratt.  Yes, Ratt.  I wore a Ratt t-shirt, Ratt bandana, and was into the lyrics and videos on MTV (when they played music videos), thinking of women as sexual objects and wanting the long hair and to parade around like an idiot with Milton Byrle (RIP).  I could go on and on, but I won't.  For the purpose of this discussion, I later was into Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Forbidden, Anthrax.  Slayer and Metallica were my favorites.  I used to go around all of the time saying "Kill Em All", "F* it all and F*ing no regrets", and the infamous "Hell Awaits".  Granted I was still in my teens, but those songs, lyrics, music and bands stayed with me for years into my 20's and even my 30's.

So, with the example that I have tried to illustrate above, bands are definitely in leadership positions, and their fans take their music, their lyrics, and their crazy on-stage (and off-stage) antics to heart.  They want to be like their heroes, their musical gods. Many young (and sometimes older) fans don't realize it's just for show and to sell more albums.

So, in closing, I would like to leave you with just one thought:  When Judgement Day comes, and believe me, IT IS COMING, and your standing in front of the One and Only God who will be judging you, do you want to not only have to answer for your actions in life, but also for the possibility of leading hundreds or thousands astray?   Something for your conscience to decide.........

Food for thought!

Until Next Time ---- KEEP IT METAL!!!!