Here's a bizarre observation:

I hardly find much in the way of new music on the radio. Haven't for years. And we've already analyzed how iPods have become the new radio.

But consider this factoid:

One of the highest profile sources of new music, is, ironically, iPod commercials:  U2's Vertigo, Jerk it Out by The Caesars, Jason Nevins remixed version of N.E.R.D.'s song Rock Star, and Channel Surfing by Feature Cast, The Vine's Ride, Ozomatli's Saturday Night, John Murphy's Spit, and Benny Golson, Music to Think By. I first heard all of these via an Apple advert (even with TiVo).  

Then there's the homebrewed Apple ads, featuring Tiny Machine by the Darling Buds, as well as What's Your Favorite Color by Living Colour. Othe Apple ads: I really like both Take California by the Propellerheads,and Walkie Talkie Man by Stereogram -- both of which I first heard via an iPod commercial. I have friends who say the same thing for Black Eyed Peas' Hey Mama -- pod commercial. Since I'm a brit rock fan, I knew of Jet's Are You Gonna Be My Girl
-- but I suspect that many people first heard that via iTunes adverts (Let me know in the comments if I missed any).

Indeed, I'll bet many more people first heard all these songs on a television commercial, and not on the radio. What does that say about the broadcast industry? Not anything good, that's for sure.

Apple hasn't left out classic rockers:  Jimi Hendrix (Purple Haze), Steppenwolf (Born to be Wild), Bob Dylan, (Forever Young), Barry White (You turned my whole world around) and the Rolling Stones (She's a Rainbow). I wonder how many young 'uns discoverd this music via Apple commercials?


Kinda ironic (don't cha think)?