There is an old adage in the business world; “treat all people with respect as you climb the ladder of success, because you will see the same people as you revert down that same ladder”. I would suggest that Flo Rida and Meatloaf pay strict attention to this phrase.
Flo Rida [one assumes that he originally hails from Florida] appears to be a generic rap performer who has struck it lucky and found a massive global audience. In isolation this is fine and what every performer strives to achieve, however success comes with responsibilities in order to maintain the success. Today’s breed of music superstars are invariably challenged by the prospect of “live performances”, and it would appear that Flo Rida is the latest victim of this so-called curse.
Recent media reports indicate that Flo Rida failed to “perform” at 2 concerts in Sydney during his Australian tour in October. This is despite the fact that Flo Rida’s performance fee had been paid in full upfront and all gratuitous expenses were also absorbed by the concert promoter. The irony lay in the fact that Flo Rida was actually present at the venue of 1 of the aborted concerts, however he was deemed to be “unfit to perform”.
This media release can be interpreted in any manner as one deems to be appropriate; this being said the underlying facts remain in focus for all public performers. If you are going to accept your loyal audience’s money, you need to earn your keep!!
Which brings us to Meatloaf…
Meatloaf is a rock God, however he is 30 years past his prime. His legend is earned by way of compelling live performances, although the intensity of his act saw his voice blown out many years ago. Meatloaf was contracted to perform at the Grand Final of the Australian Football League in Melbourne in early October for circa 20 minutes for a reputed fee of $150,000.00. The warning bells should have been heard from the outset…
Granted that Meatloaf performed to a backing tape & without a sound check, his live vocal performance was appalling; some might say the worst singing effort ever by an international act in Australia. Upon leaving Australia, Meatloaf was quoted in the media as stating that the Australian Football League officials were “jerks”. Meatloaf won’t be made welcome in Australia ever again, and he should not have accepted his performance fee if he wasn’t comfortable in performing at the time.
In both cases, Flo Rida and Meatloaf may actually sell a few additional CDs/ mp3s on the back of the self-inflicted negative publicity. After all is said and done, what is more important in this case? Are both artists viewed as being “entertainers” or “musicians”? Whilst neither is technically a “musician”, can either be defined as an “entertainer” if they are incapable of entertaining?
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
1980’s ROCK BANDS: WHEN THE CREDIBILITY HAS DISAPPEARED FOR GOOD
Motley Crue were at their commercial peak when I was a teenager/ adolescent, way back in the late 1980’s/ early 1990’s. Whilst I wouldn’t have ever considered myself to be a “fan”, I have always been mildly fascinated by this rock group. Most people of my age read “The Dirt” in a state of awe & amazement; if Vince Neil, Nicki Sixx, Mick Mars & Tommy Lee partook in only a 1/3rd of the debauchery detailed in the book, then I tip my hat to their continued existence and health!
“The Dirt” also focuses on Motley Crue’s live performances as being an important ingredient in their immense popularity. The Crue’s songs are essentially “rock by numbers” and standard fare in comparison to the plethora of other 1980’s “Big Hair” rock bands, however Vince & the boys could historically be relied upon for above-average musicianship & plenty of energy in their live act.
That was then; but what about now?
Motley Crue toured Australia last month, and the concert reviews in general conjure up the image that the Crue’s time is well and truly over. Vince Neil was never a great singer [he is best described as an “entertainer”], however it is fairly sad when a lead singer spends the majority of a gig with his microphone in the direction of the crowd [for a sing-a-long] in an effort to mask his sub-par vocal ability. To compound his lack of singing talent, Neil is physically bloated [too much booze] and presently wearing a ridiculous fake tan.
Motley Crue: you do have a deserved place in the history of 1980’s rock, however for the present day – it’s over!!
Let’s now turn our attention to INXS. Being an Australian, I was kind of proud of the fact that INXS enjoyed global popularity in the late 1980’s. It was a very sad day when Michael Hutchence suddenly passed away, however the true INXS fans would be honest in saying that the final 7 years of a Hutchence-led INXS were not their best years. In fact, the final INXS Australian tour in 1997 saw the band performing in pubs rather than stadiums.
The subsequent 14 years have seen INXS come and go in the media spotlight, throwing up various “guest” lead singers in an effort to keep the INXS brand alive. In 2005, the remaining band members foolishly participated in a reality-TV program in an effort to find a new lead singer. The winner of the program, JD Fortune, was an unoriginal Hutchence sound-a-like with too much hair gel. A CD of new material was released, flickered briefly, and Fortune was soon given his marching orders. Amazingly, Fortune came back into the INXS camp for a series of live performances in 2010, however he was subsequently relieved of his duties for a 2nd time.
One would assume that the INXS brand be embalmed at this time, with new generations of fans being allowed to enjoy their back catalogue. However, it would appear that INXS is attempting to have a crack at global stardom again, with the recruitment of Irishman Ciaran Gribbin as their new lead singer.
There is an unspoken rule in the rock n’ roll world; you can never replace a charismatic lead singer and expect the band to retain their credibility. One must assume that the INXS camp have nothing better to do, as the music world are most likely to ignore the 3rd incarnation of INXS.
This being said, there is an interesting twist to the old adage that “rock stars can’t give up their jobs”. Jeffery Hoad [a David Lee Roth-wannabe lead singer from 1980’s Australian “Big Hair” rock group Kings of the Sun] recently pleaded guilty in Court to possessing a commercial quantity of marijuana. His lawyers argued that Hoad, now 50 years of age, had resorted to dealing drugs for a living due to the fact that his future in music had faded due to changing music trends. Whilst it can’t be ignored that Hoad has committed a criminal offence, he must be applauded for having the sense to acknowledge that 1980’s rock stars can’t continue on forever!!
“The Dirt” also focuses on Motley Crue’s live performances as being an important ingredient in their immense popularity. The Crue’s songs are essentially “rock by numbers” and standard fare in comparison to the plethora of other 1980’s “Big Hair” rock bands, however Vince & the boys could historically be relied upon for above-average musicianship & plenty of energy in their live act.
That was then; but what about now?
Motley Crue toured Australia last month, and the concert reviews in general conjure up the image that the Crue’s time is well and truly over. Vince Neil was never a great singer [he is best described as an “entertainer”], however it is fairly sad when a lead singer spends the majority of a gig with his microphone in the direction of the crowd [for a sing-a-long] in an effort to mask his sub-par vocal ability. To compound his lack of singing talent, Neil is physically bloated [too much booze] and presently wearing a ridiculous fake tan.
Motley Crue: you do have a deserved place in the history of 1980’s rock, however for the present day – it’s over!!
Let’s now turn our attention to INXS. Being an Australian, I was kind of proud of the fact that INXS enjoyed global popularity in the late 1980’s. It was a very sad day when Michael Hutchence suddenly passed away, however the true INXS fans would be honest in saying that the final 7 years of a Hutchence-led INXS were not their best years. In fact, the final INXS Australian tour in 1997 saw the band performing in pubs rather than stadiums.
The subsequent 14 years have seen INXS come and go in the media spotlight, throwing up various “guest” lead singers in an effort to keep the INXS brand alive. In 2005, the remaining band members foolishly participated in a reality-TV program in an effort to find a new lead singer. The winner of the program, JD Fortune, was an unoriginal Hutchence sound-a-like with too much hair gel. A CD of new material was released, flickered briefly, and Fortune was soon given his marching orders. Amazingly, Fortune came back into the INXS camp for a series of live performances in 2010, however he was subsequently relieved of his duties for a 2nd time.
One would assume that the INXS brand be embalmed at this time, with new generations of fans being allowed to enjoy their back catalogue. However, it would appear that INXS is attempting to have a crack at global stardom again, with the recruitment of Irishman Ciaran Gribbin as their new lead singer.
There is an unspoken rule in the rock n’ roll world; you can never replace a charismatic lead singer and expect the band to retain their credibility. One must assume that the INXS camp have nothing better to do, as the music world are most likely to ignore the 3rd incarnation of INXS.
This being said, there is an interesting twist to the old adage that “rock stars can’t give up their jobs”. Jeffery Hoad [a David Lee Roth-wannabe lead singer from 1980’s Australian “Big Hair” rock group Kings of the Sun] recently pleaded guilty in Court to possessing a commercial quantity of marijuana. His lawyers argued that Hoad, now 50 years of age, had resorted to dealing drugs for a living due to the fact that his future in music had faded due to changing music trends. Whilst it can’t be ignored that Hoad has committed a criminal offence, he must be applauded for having the sense to acknowledge that 1980’s rock stars can’t continue on forever!!
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