British alternative rock band Muse made news when frontman Matt Bellamy announced the group plans on cajoling Richard Branson for a free trip in space to record a song or produce a video when Virgin Galactic takes flight.
Think of the PR for Muse and for Branson’s vaunted Virgin brand if Sir Richard buys into the idea. Won’t the whole world be glued to this event if it happens? Won’t we all be following this as it unfolds on our iPads, iPhones, TV screens, and computers? How huge would the publicity be for both parties if Muse can pull this off? Just the possibility this might happen is grist for the PR mill—whether it materializes or not.
And if anybody thinks Branson doesn’t care about publicity as one of the richest men in Britain, think again. He’s often taken shots at breaking records and even tried to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon with Steve Fossett once.
From press reports, it seems this is no off-the-top-of-the-head whim. Bellamy has been interested in astronomy for a long time. Fans of the group know it, too. After a recent gig in Moscow, Bellamy was presented with a powerful telescope. When he set it up, he was reportedly awed by the views of the moon.
Bellamy’s comments about the possibility of recording in space: “Would I be scared? I think I’ll be all right.”
• Is this extreme PR or what? Would you be glued to this if it happens?
• What’s your favorite PR move by entertainers been?
• Do you think there ought to be limits to sensationalism or is our culture hungry for edgier “reality TV” kinds of fare now?
Tags: Buzz Marketing, pop culture, PR
Rock’n'Roll is full of excesses so the Muse idea is one in a long line:
Build a massive wall in Berlin aka Pink Floyd
Float a statue of yourself down the River Thames aka Michael Jackson
Throw TV’s out of hotel room windows
Put ‘King Arthur on ice’ as Rick Wakeman did
As for Branson, you are right, he loves a stunt – especially record breaking ones.
The real test will be whether Muse are still as big by the time the flight happens
Peter Cook
Author ‘Sex, Leadership and Rock’n'Roll’
Rock’n'Roll blog http://humandynamics.wordpress.com
How right you are, Peter. Thanks for weighing in on my post. Ah yes, the antics of past entertainers, lest any of us forgot! Whether the moon trip happens or not, there’s a lot of PR chatter being generated by the Muse muse. . .Think of this. If they do pull this off and the band is less hot, this just might refuel their popularity. You never know when it comes to pop culture. Unless, of course, another band beats them to the moon and other parts of our galaxy!
I do not see a huge importance in watching such an event live. Would I eventually watch the music video? Sure. Does it affect my daily activities like, say, the NCAA Tournament? Not even close.
Hi Anthony,
Many would agree with you, but you can bet that millions of others would be glued to an event like this one. You mention the NCAA tourney and as a big-time sports fan, I get where you’re coming from. Remember there are music fans who are just as rabid about their bands as we sports fans are about our teams. Thanks for weighing in, Anthony. You expressed teh opinion of many people.
I think at some point one day we will be doing “space cruises” around the world the same way we take boat cruises here on earth. It is not far outside the realm of possibility seeing how astronomically fast technology is improving!
Hi D,
I have no doubt in my mind that’s what’s going to happen in the future. But tell me: how do you feel about seeing a rock band literally blast off into space and record a song and/or a video up there? Would you be glued to an event like that or would you bother?
I wonder what the sound quality’s like in space?
The fact this article has been written when it’s still just an idea shows the awesome PR potential it has. I probably wouldn’t tune in because I’m not a big Muse fan. HOWEVER, if it was one of my favourite artists I probably would.
Hi Daniel,
I’m sure with the kind of technological advances we’ve made, sound quality would be terrific. Agreed: PR does have great power. One thing: given how the world is tuned in to news 24/7 now, people are quick to forget anything that isn’t stunning in the way of PR, right? I’m betting that even people who aren’t Muse fans would tune in if this gets pulled off. After all: recording in space or on the moon would be a first. That means it’ll be in the record books forever. Thanks, Daniel, for sharing your opinions with us. I appreciate it.
Hey, Ted. Doesn’t it make you wonder how a musician can play chords on a guitar that keeps floating out of his hands?
Not too practical.
Hi Elaine,
LOL. Now you know that never occurred to me! You’ve got a point. But wouldn’t it be cool to watch all the same? Floating instruments, floating hair in space. . .rockers getting high and it’s all due to atmospheric conditions. . . .Thanks for making us laugh, smart woman.
I love this! Mainly because I’m a huge fan of Muse, though. I heard about this on the radio and the drummer was saying how he’s not sure if playing drums would go over so well with 0G
Marissa,
Thank you for commenting on my post. . .Exactly what Elaine said about playing the guitar with zero gravity, too. It ought to be interesting, if the band pulls it off, that is. Who said “The sky’s the limit?” Apparently that may no longer be true in the near future!