The music world has been paying tribute to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, whose death at the age of 56 was announced yesterday (October 5th).
Jobs, whose Apple company innovations such as the iPod and iTunes have led a dramatic digital revolution in music during recent years, has been called ‘a true visionary’ by 30 Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto, while Redfoo of US electronic band LMFAO desribed him as ‘my hero’.
Mick Jagger took to Twitter to simply write: “RIP Steve Jobs,” and Guns n Roses also left their thoughts on Twitter, saying: “When people say it’s not about the possessions but how you’re remembered — they are talking about people like Steve Jobs. RIP.”
Meanwhile, Bill Werde, editorial director of Billboard magazine, has given a tribute of far more detailed proportions, saying:
“Other companies sold digital music before Apple. Other companies made digital music available on computers and digital phones and used it in commercials. Apple’s brilliance – and I don’t think anyone doubts that this was Steve Jobs’ brilliance – was that Apple made it exciting and simple and effortless and fun. Before Steve Jobs, digital music was math class. After, it was recess. People talk about the differences between style and substance but with Jobs, the two were one.
“Today, the music business has a complex relationship with Apple, which has become yet another entity that built an enormous business atop the rights of music companies, much like radio and MTV before it. But I think you’d be hard-pressed to find one music executive worth his or her salt who wouldn’t agree that Jobs’ vision and tenacity blazed a trail for digital music as we know it today. Without a doubt, when you think of the Mount Rushmore of the music business – pioneers like Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler, Clive Davis and Jimmy Iovine – Steve Jobs has earned his prominent place.”
News of Steve Jobs’ cancer diagnosis first broke in 2004, and after numerous rumours surrounding his health in intervening years, Jobs confirmed his resignation as Apple’s CEO on August 24th this year.