ELTON JOHN WANTS INTERNET SHUT

Sir Elton John wants the Internet shut down because it is destroying music. The 'Candle in the Wind' singer believes cyberspace is stifling creativity and lowering the standards of popular music. He told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "The Internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other from creating stuff. "Instead people sit at home and make their own records, which doesn't bode well for long-term artistic vision. "Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the Internet. It would be great to see the Internet shut down for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. I'm sure, as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting than it is today." Despite describing himself as a "technophobe", Elton has previously used the Internet to his own advantage. His 60th birthday concert at New York's Madison Square Garden in March this year was streamed live over the web. Elton has also made his entire back catalogue available for digital download. However, he remains convinced the Internet is responsible for slipping standards in the music world. He said: "In the early 70s there were at least ten albums released every week that were fantastic. Now you're lucky to find ten albums a year of that quality."

PETE TOWNSHEND ON THE INTERNET

Pete Townshend hopes the internet will make live performances "redundant". The Who guitarist has branded live shows "absurd" and believes world tours will soon be a thing of the past. Townshend said in a magazine interview: "Live performing is becoming an absurdity. The internet could and should make it redundant."Until global live internet events satisfy music fans who need to feel involved, I must travel the longest distance to be with them."Roger Daltrey and I are back on the road now, touring, doubtful we can get away with it for much longer, but not caring much if we don't - the audience are in charge, after all." The legendary musician also claims he invented the first portable tape player and is furious he didn't patent it before electronics giant Sony. Townshend said: "I would carry around with me some kind of sound system to use while driving. I developed a number of portable players employing headphones, eventually coming up with something very much like the Walkman cassette machine. "I was furious when I realized I hadn't had the time or the inclination to patent it and Sony would develop it and rule the world."