Based on last night's four-hour Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame concert on HBO, here are a few closing thoughts:It's not as easy, even for rock legends, to sing other people's songs. Billy Joel came up short on Bruce Springsteen tunes. Someone needed to take the microphone from Stevie Wonder when singing Roxanne with Sting. However, Springsteen did fairly well singing Fortunate Son with John Fogerty. And Fergie did a nice job on the bridge during Gimme Shelter with Mick Jagger and U2.
I switched over to the Ravens-Steelers football game during the Paul Simon segment.
Why is Aretha Franklin considered a rock performer?
Jerry Lee Lewis is done.
BB King is close to done.
Ozzie was don
e years ago.I don't make these comments to be mean. But we all hit a certain age where even nostalgia isn't a good reason to take to the stage. For some, that's 50. For others, maybe it's 80. David Crosby can still sing and Stephen Stills can still play guitar. That's cool. But a few performers were on the verge of embarrassing themselves like Willie Mays in a Mets uniform. Fortunately, musicians have a longer shelf life than athletes.
I think one key to longevity is in altering one's game as Johnny Cash did in his final years. I mean I don't need to see Jerry Lee Lewis throwing his piano stool anymore or BB singing about the thrill being gone. Heck, the thrill was gone about two or three decades ago, I am guessing. Cash went to the dark side in the twilight of his career, singing edgier songs that tweaked his image and played to his aging vocal cords, and it worked. He won Grammys for his efforts and gained the respect of a new generation of rock musicians while maintaining his long-time, country-based fans.
Overall, though, the concert was good. Nice to hear real music in prime time. Too bad it wasn't on one of the major broadcast networks where all we seem to get are hip-hop award shows.
Mr. Calvacca;
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised by your blog, however after reading your bio, composed myself. I do not agree with your review and perspective regarding Mr. Lewis. He has just finished a European SOLD OUT tour, released a four song sampler (MP3) which includes music written by Kris Kristofferson off of his 2010 CD due in February. Along with this, he has performed at the country's Washington D.C. 4th of July party, donated endless hours to causes regarding animals and children and is known as one of our "Living Treasures" by the Smithsonian. A new book just released this month by Mr. Joe Bonomo centers around his career. He is no where near done, and his correct age is 74. His fanclub is the oldest unsponsored and independent in the world. I understand that this is your blog and your opinion, however, considering they ask him to perform this way for ratings and tickets, you see way too much into it, sir. A wonderful evening with Mr. Lewis is one of magic. Just like last year's Farm Aid concert. The camera scanned the crowd-Every age and gender were dancing and enjoying themselves. Done? Be grateful he's still here to encourage the younger generations in his music style...You need to get out more, I think...
Best Regards,
Marla Rivera
U.S. Representative
Jerry Lee Lewis International Fanclub
www.fireballmailonline.com
You stirred a hornet's nest with this one Mick. I saw Paul Simon at Jazz Fest a couple of years ago and he was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying.
Music is mostly a subjective thing. To each their own. But objectively speaking, I don't think Lewis hits the notes anymore, so it's tough on my ears. Even the great Frank Sinatra struggled in the end. And for some fans, that's kind of sad to witness. For others, I guess, they'll accept lesser versions of one-time great performers. When the falloff is too steep, however, I tend not to buy anymore CDs or concert tickets. There was a time I would go see any Al Pacino movie. Now, after a decade or more of terrible films, I won't go see anymore Pacino films as long as it appears he's just cashing paychecks at this stage. Like many creative people, it appears some artists grow to a certain point, then level out before eventually declining. Some find the inspiration to reinvent themselves in artful ways, which is admirable.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, I am strictly talking about the performances of artists, not their charities or other good deeds.
You should talk about a subject in which you are knowledgeable. It is apparent that you are extremely naïve when it comes to music, and are definitely not an active fan of any type of music. Some people get it and some people don’t. Your ignorance is on the level of people who deny evolution. I have been to 14 Jerry Lee Lewis performances in the last 3 years and his music is capable of making me laugh with pleasure and cry with emotion. You, of course have no idea what you are missing, since you have no experience in this field. I suspect you are already more done than Mr Lewis and will be not be doing anything productive when you are 74, just as you do now.
ReplyDeleteGerald, rather than call me naive and without any musical interests/knowledge (which you have absolutely no way of knowing), why don't you write about what musical skills you perceive Lewis possessing at this stage in his career? Do you have enough musical training to determine whether someone is hitting the high notes or not? I assume you're OK with 70something-year-old men throwing around piano stools on stage. To me, it looked silly. And since this is my blog, I will state my opinions. If you feel so strongly about Lewis, perhaps you can start your own blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's also fascinating that with all the truly important subjects this blog deals with, it was a one-liner about Jerry Lee Lewis that produced some reaction. Maybe I need to start a Jerry Lee Lewis blog.
Your surprise at the response to your blog reflects your lack of understanding of the subject. It is a well known fact that you can’t explain something to a person that doesn’t get it, but here goes.
ReplyDeleteQ. why don't you write about what musical skills you perceive Lewis possessing at this stage in his career?
A. To this day, Mr Lewis is a self taught piano genius, and one of the great stylists of all time. He plays piano as if it is second nature and makes it look easy (a trait of a great musician). He can, in a unique style and on demand, perform hundreds of songs. Within this decade, I have seen him, in person, perform for 3 hours by playing only requests and knowing them all off the top of his head. Can he sing and play like he could when he was in his 20’s. No, but what do you expect? Would you say your grandfather is "done" when he can't do things he could do at a younger age? Show some respect. JLL can still bring cheers by pounding on the high notes as only Jerry Lee can and receive a standing ovation by playing the greatest rock and roll song ever produced. Even though he can be rough around the edges at times, he still performs great music.
Q. Do you have enough musical training to determine whether someone is hitting the high notes or not?
A. Yes. This is a skill that a person is born with and I was. I have been electronically tested for pitch recognition and received the highest ranking of "Symphony Conductor". I have also played guitar (sometimes professionally) for 50 years and have trained with a world class guitarist (although I am not implying that I am anywhere near a world class guitarist – far from it). Sure, the Killer can't hit the notes he could years ago, but so what. Oh gee! A 74 year old man can’t hit the high notes. I guess that negates all he has done over a 50+ year career. Give me a break. He knows it and I know it, but it does not diminish his genius. Brian Wilson misses a high note now and then but this didn't stop the estate of George Gershwin from recognizing his genius and recently asking this old man to finish some of the songs George left unfinished at his death. They get it. The fact that the Killer misses a high note now and then didn’t stop the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for honoring him as an American Music Master (at the time, the only living person so honored) in 2007. They get it.
Q. I assume you're OK with 70 something-year-old men throwing around piano stools on stage.
A. Not really - only Jerry Lee Lewis. This proves what I said about some people get it and some people don't. Kicking over the bench and ‘butting’ the keyboard, which he does tongue in cheek on special occasions, to the overwhelming joy of his “we get it” audience, is just a tiny theatrical reminder of his youthful days. Unfortunately, he is often better known for his wild life and antics than for his groundbreaking music, which played a large part in changing the musical culture of the world. He changed my life and I have told him so in person. How many times have you seen him perform in person in the last 5 years? Where were you in '56 - '62 when the music of the world changed? I suspect your answers to these questions add to your overwhelming naivety on this subject.
Your Statement: Maybe I need to start a Jerry Lee Lewis blog.
A: Please don't, for obvious reasons. Your lack of respect for an American icon tells all.
Gerald, thanks again for the comment. While I immensely enjoy many musicians and singer-songwriters, from Frank Sinatra to Neil Young, I don't idolize any of them and certainly make no claims to entertainers changing my life in any manner. Music is special to me but I try to keep it in perspective. Celebrities are celebrities in my opinion. They aren't mentors, teachers, friends or family. Clearly, JLL means a lot to you, both from an entertainment standpoint and on personal level. I am not denying JLL's place in rock history, but we just disagree on whether his current act is up to his own standards that he set a very long time ago as you mentioned. If you think it is, cool. I am not going to call you ignorant or naive because you have a different opinion. Everyone from athletes to singers have to decide when it's time to hang 'em up. Apparently you think JLL is still rockin' strong. Apparently JLL still likes getting up in front of a crowd and collecting paycheck. Enjoy.
ReplyDelete