Tom Dunne: Perhaps 'muso' shouldn't be a term of abuse after all 

In the punk era, we spat the term 'muso' at Elton John and others, but on mature reflection, maybe they weren't so bad  
Tom Dunne: Perhaps 'muso' shouldn't be a term of abuse after all 

Elton John will bring his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour to Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh next year

‘Muso.’ It was a term of abuse during the punk wars, the worst thing you could be. If advertising for bandmates a curt “No musos” would let people know where you stood. It was Glen Matlock’s ‘muso’ tendencies that did for him in The Sex Pistols.

But as you advanced that changed. It was like driving. It was nice to have people in the car who looked the part and could say ‘nought to 60’ convincingly, but at some point you needed someone who could drive. You might do one album without a muso. You wouldn’t do two.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner.

Annual €130 €80

Best value

Monthly €12€6 / month

More in this section

Scene & Heard

Newsletter

Music, film art, culture, books and more from Munster and beyond.......curated weekly by the Irish Examiner Arts Editor.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited