Boulevard of Platinum Dreams

Since its release about a year ago, American Idiot has seldom left my CD player.

After winning seven of the eight MTV Video Music Awards they were nominated for, Green Day should rename their current multi-platinum CD (4 million plus in domestic sales and growing) American Geniuses.

American Idiot is on track to match or exceed the 10 million copies sold on their Dookie disc.

In accepting the rock video award, singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong said, "It's nice to know rock music still has a place on MTV." Hell, I wasn't aware MTV still showed videos!

When I tune in I usually get Inferno 2, Laguna Beach, Making the Band 3, MTV's The 70's House, My Super Sweet 16, Nick Cannon Presents Wild 'n' Out, Real World, Trailer Fabulous, etc.

Green Day has extended their red hot arena/stadium tour into early October. The band has a colorful and compelling history that has sustained over a decade and has seen many musical fashion fatalities.

They are still the number one rock band in overall airplay with 13 different songs getting 100+ plays a week at the format.

Young rockers should research Green Day's rich catalog of hits and add them to your Platinum playbook.

Do You Have What It Takes To "Change The World" With Your Music?

I'm sitting in my office listening to the new Eric Clapton studio album Back Home and wondering which of my artist development clients will still be making 'Must Hear' music five decades from now.

Many of today's contemporary artists have achieved fleeting platinum status. What lessons can be learned from Clapton's career longevity?

Adaptability comes to mind. Clapton played with the Roosters, the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos before embarking on his successful solo career.

Change is constant in life and in the music business. Throughout Clapton's career, conflict and confrontation surely came into play on more than a few occasions, not to mention personal hardships and tragedy. Did you know Clapton was an illegitimate child? As an adult, he endured heroin and alcohol addictions, divorce, the deaths of several close friends and his son Conor.

Devastating events like these would have been enough to cripple most people both mentally and creatively, yet Clapton persevered. Did you know that he is the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of both the Yardbirds and Cream, and as a solo artist)?

Do you have the passion and personal stamina to endure the less glamorous side of show business, or are you just in it for an American Idol moment? If you've got what it takes to "Change The World" with your music and need assistance in outlining your music business career objectives and creating an action plan, please visit www.lemboentertainment.com.