First, let me start by saying that, for those of you looking for something related to multi-sport today, let me tell you, stop reading now. You will be dissapointed.
This past Sunday, as I was lying around on my couch, fighting a miserable sinus infection, and realizing there was nothing on TV, I begrudgingly put on the Grammys, thinking it would be another sad festival of talentless singers - yes Britney, I am talking about you, and lame hosts. However, this year, was a pleasant surprise, at least for me. Now, I didn't really care who won what awards, I was interested in the performances. Besides, the Grammys are as bad college football Bowl games, there are way too many awards, and even the mediocre are getting one. I remember old Grammy shows, where, people like James Brown did his "7 capes" act, and it took 10 minutes, but damn if you weren't glued to the screen. I thought those days were gone. Until this past Sunday night.
So, when I watched Tina Turner and Beyonce light up the stage, I was loving it. "Proud Mary" never sounded better, and I think Beyonce was having a tough time keeping up with Tina. It was awesome. Then, watching Kid Rock sing with Keeley Smith, trying to duplicate Louie Prima, it was such a treat. Not to mention the Foo Fighters, who lit up the stage, and say what you want about Kanye, I still loved "Stronger" and "Mama", and there were more than a few tears on that one. Besides, how couldn't you like Daft Punk, in those space suits, hitting computer screens as Kanye was rocking the crowd? And I know Aretha Franklin looks like she swallowed herself, twice, she still has the pipes to carry a tune. However, for those music savvy people out there, Aretha was missing singing that final gospel tune - James Brown. Anyone remember what movie that song made an appearance? That's right the Blues Brothers, and it was James Brown who was setting fire to that stage. And lest we forget, Amy Winehouse, who, for all her failings, and there are many, she sounded phenomenal.
Which brings me to my most recent revelation - we, as a society, give a pass to those who are talented, truly talented, when it comes to thier personal issues of drug or alcohol abuse, or whatever other debauchery they involve themselves in. Think about it, Amy Winehouse is not the first really talented artist with a drug problem; anyone remember, oh, Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, James Morrison, Keith Moon, Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Alice in Chains, etc, etc. But, like all those who came before her, she too, gets a pass because she has true talent. If she sucked, like Britney, then we would pummel her with bad press, and call her callow, demented, twisted and in desperate need of help. Now, a blind person could have seen Amy was not all there in her performance, as she stumbled on the stage like a drunkard in a Hunter S. Thompson novel. But, she held it together long enough to belt out that soulful voice, almost with a Motown feel to it, and in those moments, we lost sight of her addiction, and just heard the music. The key for her now, is to maintain that talent, and not become another Courtney Love.
But look at how hypocritical we are - we bash Britney, and we just want to hug Amy, and leave her be, to express herself, and her music. Listen, I am not trying to waive the flag for that hill-billy disaster, but, the disparity is laughable. The thing is, we have been doing for so long, we don't even realize it. Was anyone really worried about the drug problem that beleagured the Rolling Stones? Hell no, we just wanted more "You can't always get what you want", and we didn't care what type of narcotic it took them to produce it. I am not sheltering myself from this, I am the same.
Case in point - I love Velvet Revolver. Just as I loved Stone Temple Pilots and Guns and Roses, the mixing of the 2, has been great. But, when I went to see them in November of 2004, it was pretty clear that Scott Weiland had not kicked his heroin problem. He got on stage, in a theater that was about 50 degrees, and in 15 minutes, he went from wearing about 4 layers on his torso, to being shirtless, and sweating like he was performing on the sun. Now, I know stage lights are hot, but c'mon. The thing is, my buddies and I laughed it off, and just sat there loving the music. But, if they sucked, all we would discuss is how drugs are ruining the band, and how Scott needs to get clean, and blah, blah.
My point is, lets check ourselves a bit before we start making judgment calls on artists, when we know we love them. And have some faith in music again. I was so skeptical about the inudstry, feeling like no one would perform unless they got paid ungodly sums of cash, but, to watch the Grammys, you felt the music alive again. And for a little while, I forgot I was sick, and just loved the show. So, find out where your favorite band is playing, and go see a live show. Its good for the soul.
