Jon Bon Jovi has slammed Apple boss Steve Jobs, declaring him “personally responsible for killing the music business”.
Speaking in the Sunday Times Magazine, the frontman was discussing how he believes downloading is affecting the music industry. He said he believes that a new generation of fans has been deprived due to the growth of digital music.
“Kids today have missed the whole experience of putting the headphones on, turning it up to 10, holding the jacket, closing their eyes and getting lost in an album,” he said. “And the beauty of taking your allowance money and making a decision based on the jacket, not knowing what the record sounded like, and looking at a couple of still pictures and imagining it.”
He added: “I hate to sound like an old man now, but I am, and you mark my words, in a generation from now people are going to say, ‘What happened?’ Steve Jobs is personally responsible for killing the music business.”
Bon Jovi are embarking on a world tour this year, and are set to headline London‘s Hard Rock Calling in July. Following that they shouldn’t have to deal with Jobs‘ industry influence so closely – they’re planning a lengthy hiatus.