Classical music fans have high self-esteem

LONDON (AFP) - Heavy metal fans and lovers of classical music have more in common than they like to think, according to research published Friday by a British university.

Although fans of bands like Metallica are traditionally portrayed as work-shy, long-haired students and lovers of Mozart are seen as sober and hard-working, researchers found that both music types attract creative people who are at ease with themselves but can be introverted.

But classical music fans have high self-esteem while heavy rock fans lack self-belief, the team at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found.