Take a look at me now: Consecration and the Phil Collins effect

A. Spicer, P. Cankurtaran, M.B. Beverland

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeChapterScientific

Abstract

Consecration is the process by which producers in creative fields become canonized as “greats.” However, is this the end of the story? Research on consecration focuses on the drivers of consecration but pays little attention to the post-consecration period. Furthermore, the research ignores the dynamics of consecration. To address these gaps, we examine the changing fortunes of a consecrated artist – the musician Phil Collins. We identify the ways in which three actors (fans, critics, and peers) assemble for consecration, disassemble for deconsecration, and reassemble for reconsecration. Examining the changing public image and commercial fortunes of Collins as a solo artist between 1980 and 2020, we identify an N-shaped process of rise-fall-rise that we call the Phil Collins Effect. This effect offers a new way of thinking about how cultural producers gain, lose and regain status in their fields.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Generation, Recognition and Legitimation of Novelty
EditorsG. Cattani, D. Deichmann, S. Ferriani
PublisherEmerald Publishing
Pages253-282
Volume77
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-80117-997-3
ISBN (Print) 978-1-80117-998-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Consecration
  • Reconsecration
  • Career revival
  • Artistic reputation
  • popular culture

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