Introducing children to music from previous generations is as important as teaching them languages or history, according to a leading Irish DJ.

It comes after the son of ex-Oasis singer Liam Gallagher told The Sunday Times his father had “forced The Who and The Beatles” on him and his siblings.

Gene Gallagher said they weren't allowed listen to "Justin Bieber or One Direction – none of that malarkey".

Today FM presenter Ed Smith told Newstalk Breakfast children should have an education in music.

"I don't see any difference between educating your children culturally as opposed to educating them historically or in DIY [or] teaching them how to change a tyre or plug," he said.

"Why shouldn't you give them the context in which to enjoy their own culture?

"You don't know where you're going if you don't know where you're coming from".

'I was rolling my eyes'

Ed said he didn't appreciate the eclectic music in his house when he was younger.

"I think children should be exposed to the parents taste as well as their own - absolutely 100%," he said.

"I grew up in a house filled with the likes of Elis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Philomena Begley - I think maybe at the time I was rolling my eyes and flicking my 90s hair across my eyes.

"But as time has gone on, getting into the business and the show that I present it has given me an appreciation to go back and maybe reappraise some of the bands that I would have looked down my nose at".

'It seeps in'

Ed said it's up to children what they do with their education in music.

"If I hadn't had that in my DNA or was exposed it to - like a language, when you grow up and one of your parents may speak French - it's so important [to be exposed to different music]," he said.

"What they do with that information and that education is up to them.

"If you're exposed to this subliminally or unconsciously it seeps in".

'It is quite frustrating'

Ed said more and more songs are taking samples from the classics.

"So many of the songs now, it is quite frustrating, are leaning in and pilfering the 90s dance classics, he said.

"So many of the kids today would listen to those songs going, 'I love that hook' and you're going, 'That's Rhythm is a Dancer'.

"The same applies to TV shows, comedy, movies, art – it's almost useless to you if you don't really get the context of what came before".

Ed added that children need more variety as music now "isn't giving them the nutrients and sustenance that they need".

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