This is kinda a followup on Lloyd Thaxton’s blog (puh-LEEZE see Double-L’s blog here … (but if you’re here, chances are you clicked on from his site, anyway, so … let’s go on:)
What really made those cinematic and musical wonders into “stars” in the first place? Why don’t the stars today enjoy the longevity that our generation’s had/have?
Y’see, today’s “beautiful people” live in a world of paparazzi (I guess, for Britney and company, it’s ‘mamarazzi’ now, huh?), flash bulbs, excessive entertainment “reporters”, vidcams and find themselves in every popular mag that begins with a vowel or consonant. They begin to believe their PR …
but (news flash!) it’s not the press that made them popular. Sure, they put them out there … give ‘em exposure … but it’s the BUYING PUBLIC who gobbles up every bit of info they can get, and “falls in love” with them!
Take Paris Hilton (please!). This girl’s been on every mag short of the Catholic Journal (hey … anything’s possible!), and women really dig her line of perfume, etc. (like Just Love Me). She charges about (no, it’s not a personal plea — it’s her line of perfume!) 7 G’s just to appear somewhere. Inflated ego? Uh-huh. Her fans? Well, as long as they keep buying …
But I’d bet my sweet bippy that, soon, her 15-seconds-of-fame’s gonna be replaced by another Muffy Sweetcheeks. (by the way … outside of lending her name to sweet smells, what exactly does Ms. Hilton do? Dance? Sing? Act? I mean, outside of “THAT” video … ahem!
But those whom Lloyd mentioned knew the secret of true success: Never … NEVER … forget who brought you to the dance to begin with! The fans are what makes ya, and, treat ‘em wrong, they can break ya. Treat ‘em right, though, and they’ll be yours for life! Bill and Bobby knew it (that’s why, even up to Bobby’s untimely passing, they were still performing!) … Sonny did, too … and certainly Roger Miller believed it.
Some of the ones I’ve had the pleasure to meet over the years are like that. Two of the best examples is Frank Allen and John McNally of the Searchers (and the group … along with guitarist Spencer James and drummer Eddie Rothe … are due to play America in July! Still a big international draw!). Another is Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na (hey … you just gotta catch his Rock’n Roll Party!) They know who buttered their bread, and they give as much back to the fans as they’ve been given … sincerely … and know that, at any time, it could end.
Gene knew that … that’s why, even to his last concert in Cardiff, Wales, he gave all he had to his friends … his audience … his fans! RIP, my friend … you’re missed …
Anyway … see the tie-in? Longevity’s not as much a matter of material as it is your priorities, both onstage and off.
And Lloyd asked a question about being a “celebrity.” Cool. Already am one to some wonderful fans … but, more importantly, to a couple of beautiful granddaughters, a dynamite daughter-in-law, and some outtasite friends.
It’s all those who brought me to the dance. Rather tango with them than tangle with paparazzi any day.
Besides … me on the tube?? Naaaaaaah … as my buddy Chuck Black says, “You’ve got a face that belongs on the radio!” Unless CSI’s got room for another morguer …
