Herbie Hancock on the Grammys

Slothman, my "what are you talking about" was in response to tomryan's post.

I agree, tomryan doesn't know what he's talking about. The stone cold fact is that drug addicts/alcoholics have been making great popular music since the beginning of recorded sound. There are talented dope fiends everywhere - jazz, country, easy listening, blues, metal, etc. It may be tragic or even pathetic, but that's the way it is. Twenty years from now I doubt I'll be listening regularly to Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black", but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a damned good record to listen to and enjoy in 2007-2008.

Herbie Hancock is a national treasure.

John Coltrane was a heroin addict but made his best music after kicking the habit. Miles Davis was a heroin addict for much of his adult life. Keith Richards was, too, and thank God he could afford regular blood transfusions (not that we'd miss him much if gone). Hendrix and Joplin (along with Jim Morrison) were drug addicts/alcoholics. We thought they were cool when we were kids, hopefully we all grew up at some point. I believe that current thought holds that Mozart was probably an alcoholic.

Tragic, no. Pathetic, yes. When I first saw Winehouse's "Rehab" video I thought, "Jeez, retro 90s heroin chic", what with all the slouching and slurry faces and bodies. What an amazing thing to be proud of - heroin addiction!!

I'm sick and tired of drug addicted, alcoholic, hygiene challenged celebrities being held as today's heroes. Winehouse has attained three times as much popularity because of her proud drug addict stance. And that is why she was NBS's most advertised performer on the Grammys. That is truly pathetic.

Just my rant this week...

I think 12 days without sunshine (and it's snowing again right now - 8 times in 12 days) has made me testy. I am sick of spoiled brat rich kids that get addicted to narcotics. Especially sick of them being portrayed as people "we should get to know!".

Oh well, got to go shovel (snow that is).

Tomryan, I understand your revulsion with the culture's adoration of celebrities and the decadent celebrity lifestyle some practice, but don't let that interfer with your enjoyment of good art. Despite the way the media portrays Amy Winehouse, or even in spite of how she really may be, she still has produced an excellent album. As a consumer I can purchase and enjoy the music, but unless the artist knocks on my door and ask to use my bathroom, well, I really don't care about them anymore than I care about Steve Job just because I'm typing on a Mac.