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No Pride
Member with too much time available
USA
11623 Posts |
 Posted - 07/15/2010 : 12:35:23
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I finished reading this on the plane home from Europe. It was a very good read, but a bit depressing. I've read several biographies and autobiographies of famous musicians and I've noticed a similiar theme running through most of them: the climb to fame is exhilirating, but once they arrive and from that point on, life becomes a nightmare. I've come to the conclusion that most people can't handle fame; it ends up being a "careful what you wish for" scenario.
So let's take solace in the fact that it'll never happen to us. 
Anyone read this? I'd recommend it to even the casual Jimi fan.
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http://www.baddogu.com |
Edited by - No Pride on 07/15/2010 12:36:26
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G.A. Donis
Large Member
940 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2010 : 21:41:07
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I haven't read it but I'll definately add it to the must read list. I read B.B. King's biography and I highly recommend it. It read just like he was sitting in the same room and telling stories.
I have no idea what is going on...
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cyclotron
Member with too much time available
USA
4254 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2010 : 15:15:28
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quote:
Originally posted by No Pride
I've read several biographies and autobiographies of famous musicians and I've noticed a similiar theme running through most of them: the climb to fame is exhilirating, but once they arrive and from that point on, life becomes a nightmare. I've come to the conclusion that most people can't handle fame; it ends up being a "careful what you wish for" scenario.
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http://www.baddogu.com
I see the glaring trend, the list is a mile long, but I don't understand what makes their lives miserable after fame hits.
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"The Truth will make you free - but first it will make you miserable. |
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No Pride
Member with too much time available
USA
11623 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 13:33:50
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quote:
Originally posted by cyclotron
quote:
Originally posted by No Pride
I've read several biographies and autobiographies of famous musicians and I've noticed a similiar theme running through most of them: the climb to fame is exhilirating, but once they arrive and from that point on, life becomes a nightmare. I've come to the conclusion that most people can't handle fame; it ends up being a "careful what you wish for" scenario.
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http://www.baddogu.com
I see the glaring trend, the list is a mile long, but I don't understand what makes their lives miserable after fame hits.
I can't claim to understand it myself, Jeff, but I think part of it is the pressure of constantly being in the public eye and being thought of as something more than a mere mortal. It's a lot to live up to. It seems many celebrities start to believe in their own hype and act as if they're not accountable to the standards that normal people are expected to live by, which is bound to blow up in their faces sooner or later.
In Jimi's case, his management worked The Experience to death, for one thing. It wasn't unusual for them to play 42 cities in 44 days. They were constanly taking downers to sleep and uppers to wake up. Jimi got tired of playing his hits night after night (as most popular artists eventually do) and of doing what his fans expected of him, like burning or smashing his guitar, yet he felt an obligation to do so. He would often sit in with other bands after playing his own shows and get a lot more musical satisfaction out of that... this after a career long fight to lead his own band. He also had lots of girlfriends and even in the era of "free love"... well, I think we all realise that there is no such thing and despite the obvious advantages, lots of troubles are bound to follow. Jimi had "hang-oners" everywhere he went and everybody wanted something from him; few would qualify as true friends. He was also caught in the middle of the whole racial tension thing in the US, being a black artist whose audience was mostly white. He had various pending court cases going on; paternity cases, drug possession, conflicting recording contractual obligations, etc. Basically, just a world of stress.
Hendrix had a very tough childhood; his parents were both alchoholics who constantly had an on/off, love/hate relationship and they were very neglegent as parents. Jimi and his brother were always being shuffled around amongst aunts/uncles, grandparents and family friends. He was dirt-poor and on the verge of starving for most of his life. The most joyful part of the book was when Chas Chandler brought him to London and he became a star practically overnight after years of paying dues in various bands in the US. But I got the impression the vast majority of his life was rather difficult.
John Lennon's song, "Glass Onion" was about the darker side of fame; he was basically describing how he felt like he and The Beatles were living in a stinky fishbowl. Some folks handle it better than others, but fame... well, it isn't for everybody. Based just on my observations of (and close proximity to) Gary S. stalkers (of which there are many), I find myself thanking my lucky stars that fame has eluded me.
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http://www.baddogu.com |
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Craig B
Member with too much time available
USA
11552 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 17:25:12
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Fame is just another dirty four-letter word... 
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cyclotron
Member with too much time available
USA
4254 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 21:27:25
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quote:
Originally posted by No Pride
quote:
Originally posted by cyclotron
quote:
Originally posted by No Pride
I've read several biographies and autobiographies of famous musicians and I've noticed a similiar theme running through most of them: the climb to fame is exhilirating, but once they arrive and from that point on, life becomes a nightmare. I've come to the conclusion that most people can't handle fame; it ends up being a "careful what you wish for" scenario.
^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-
http://www.baddogu.com
I see the glaring trend, the list is a mile long, but I don't understand what makes their lives miserable after fame hits.
I can't claim to understand it myself, Jeff, but I think part of it is the pressure of constantly being in the public eye and being thought of as something more than a mere mortal. It's a lot to live up to. It seems many celebrities start to believe in their own hype and act as if they're not accountable to the standards that normal people are expected to live by, which is bound to blow up in their faces sooner or later.
In Jimi's case, his management worked The Experience to death, for one thing. It wasn't unusual for them to play 42 cities in 44 days. They were constanly taking downers to sleep and uppers to wake up. Jimi got tired of playing his hits night after night (as most popular artists eventually do) and of doing what his fans expected of him, like burning or smashing his guitar, yet he felt an obligation to do so. He would often sit in with other bands after playing his own shows and get a lot more musical satisfaction out of that... this after a career long fight to lead his own band. He also had lots of girlfriends and even in the era of "free love"... well, I think we all realise that there is no such thing and despite the obvious advantages, lots of troubles are bound to follow. Jimi had "hang-oners" everywhere he went and everybody wanted something from him; few would qualify as true friends. He was also caught in the middle of the whole racial tension thing in the US, being a black artist whose audience was mostly white. He had various pending court cases going on; paternity cases, drug possession, conflicting recording contractual obligations, etc. Basically, just a world of stress.
Hendrix had a very tough childhood; his parents were both alchoholics who constantly had an on/off, love/hate relationship and they were very neglegent as parents. Jimi and his brother were always being shuffled around amongst aunts/uncles, grandparents and family friends. He was dirt-poor and on the verge of starving for most of his life. The most joyful part of the book was when Chas Chandler brought him to London and he became a star practically overnight after years of paying dues in various bands in the US. But I got the impression the vast majority of his life was rather difficult.
John Lennon's song, "Glass Onion" was about the darker side of fame; he was basically describing how he felt like he and The Beatles were living in a stinky fishbowl. Some folks handle it better than others, but fame... well, it isn't for everybody. Based just on my observations of (and close proximity to) Gary S. stalkers (of which there are many), I find myself thanking my lucky stars that fame has eluded me.
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http://www.baddogu.com
Great reply Ernie. It seems to be related to individual personality. Some stars seem to thrive on the fame, others just can't handle it for whatever reason.
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"The Truth will make you free - but first it will make you miserable. |
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G.A. Donis
Large Member
940 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2010 : 13:57:05
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I think it comes down to stress. Fame puts a lot of stress on a person either from external sources or internal. Different people handle stress differently.
I know when we go through stretches of playing a lot (3 gigs a week is a lot) that it is easier to see how things can spiral out of control. You play a late show and maybe go to a party afterwards, it is afterall rock and roll right? Then you have to hit the road and get up for the show on the next day. Still feeling the effects of the party from last night? Take a little hair of the dog and you are ready to go. Repeat that cycle for several months and the next thing you know you are an alcoholic or strung out. Add to that the stress of becoming or remaining popular, selling tickets, records, having a hit song and paying all the people you have to pay when you go on the road. That is a lot of pressure. If you are the type of person who doesn't handle pressure and stress properly that is a recipe for disaster. I haven't even mentioned all your "friends" who just need a little cash or can you listen to their song. Speaking as a person who does NOT handle stress well, I can see where disaster is just a moment away in that kind of environment.
I never understood it until I had to play some shows where I wasn't really in the mood to play. Had a bad day or no response from the audience or no audience. Maybe have a drink or two to take the edge off. Luckily I do seem to have a "non-addictive" personality. I can't do anything repetatively.
Can you imagine not being able to go out to the grocery store without a gaggle of camera with legs following you? Or people diggin through your trash trying to find something "interesting"? 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some people handle it better than others. I don't have to worry about it because I'll never be famous and that is definately a good thing for my long term viability.
I have no idea what is going on...
www.zachtate.com |
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cyclotron
Member with too much time available
USA
4254 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2010 : 20:15:53
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Well, you may think you'll never be famous but what if a presidential candidate just happens to take your question in front of a bunch of reporters like happened to Joe the Plumber? Next thing you know you can't hide from the paparazzi!
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"The Truth will make you free - but first it will make you miserable. |
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Craig B
Member with too much time available
USA
11552 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2010 : 23:46:13
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quote:
Originally posted by cyclotron
Well, you may think you'll never be famous but what if a presidential candidate just happens to take your question in front of a bunch of reporters like happened to Joe the Plumber? Next thing you know you can't hide from the paparazzi!
Won't happen. I wouldn't put myself anywhere near any of those dipsticks. 
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G.A. Donis
Large Member
940 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 12:10:59
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quote:
Originally posted by cyclotron
Well, you may think you'll never be famous but what if a presidential candidate just happens to take your question in front of a bunch of reporters like happened to Joe the Plumber? Next thing you know you can't hide from the paparazzi!
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"The Truth will make you free - but first it will make you miserable.
Yeah, I'm not sure I could phrase a TV friendly question to any of our politicians.
I have no idea what is going on...
www.zachtate.com |
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No Pride
Member with too much time available
USA
11623 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 12:47:10
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quote:
Originally posted by cyclotron
Well, you may think you'll never be famous but what if a presidential candidate just happens to take your question in front of a bunch of reporters like happened to Joe the Plumber?
Not something for any of us to worry about, Jeff. To the general public, plumbing is a respectable occupation.
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http://www.baddogu.com |
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G.A. Donis
Large Member
940 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 15:15:31
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Besides, what are the odds a politician will ask any question of a long haired, hippie freak? Especially on TV where people would actually see it.
Mostly speaking about myself there. I don't know if anybody else falls into the long haired, hippie freak catagory. I'd say Ernie doesn't since he's sportin' the Satch hairdo! 
I have no idea what is going on...
www.zachtate.com |
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cyclotron
Member with too much time available
USA
4254 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 15:50:22
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***********************************
"The Truth will make you free - but first it will make you miserable. |
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franjo
Member with too much time available
Germany
5352 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2010 : 17:58:08
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dear no pride, dear fellas,
room full of mirrors is a great book as far as i can tell. i have read through a few pages, but need to start it properly one of these days.
what i hear about the top notch life is that it requires a serious routine: the discipline starts THEN instead of being ended on the backdoors of msg. to get through those touring schedules i think you have to be in bed at 10:30pm .
but we shouldn't forget one thing: to appear as a star in a horde of hobos who want to reach the same, you have to gain more applause than the other ones, and they are master class as well! that means that most of our beloved celebrities are drop-dead narcists. their personalities are trained to gain attention BEFORE they are famous. the have kicked numerous competitors into the cellars to look a atd better than them. in a holiday camp, most of them would get killed the first night. michael jackson, prince, liberace, david letterman, barbara streisand, mariah carey - the fuss they'd cause while settng up a tent would have us dump them into the river, tied to a huge log.
and as this motive of always and everywhere being the most beloved, most beautiful and best person is total nonsense and unreachable, they have addictions to narcotize their pains BEFORE they are famous, but afterwards they have the money for it.
what i read about jimi stands apart from that: his wishes and conflicts look pretty down-to-earth to me. he seemed to be eager to please instead of being hailed. and he was blessed by the gods with a tiny tool so many others lack heavily: TALENT. i think that his visions, stories and tunes stand way beyond his earthly existence. he will be remembered for what his music caused in the listeners. it as, is and will be transcendantal. no, i didn't do drugs and most likely even won't do it.
franjo
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"You're just a fleck of vomit in the parking lot of life" by sluggo
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No Pride
Member with too much time available
USA
11623 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 17:34:42
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quote:
Originally posted by franjo
but we shouldn't forget one thing: to appear as a star in a horde of hobos who want to reach the same, you have to gain more applause than the other ones, and they are master class as well! that means that most of our beloved celebrities are drop-dead narcists. their personalities are trained to gain attention BEFORE they are famous. the have kicked numerous competitors into the cellars to look a atd better than them. in a holiday camp, most of them would get killed the first night. michael jackson, prince, liberace, david letterman, barbara streisand, mariah carey - the fuss they'd cause while settng up a tent would have us dump them into the river, tied to a huge log.
and as this motive of always and everywhere being the most beloved, most beautiful and best person is total nonsense and unreachable, they have addictions to narcotize their pains BEFORE they are famous, but afterwards they have the money for it.
what i read about jimi stands apart from that: his wishes and conflicts look pretty down-to-earth to me. he seemed to be eager to please instead of being hailed. and he was blessed by the gods with a tiny tool so many others lack heavily: TALENT. i think that his visions, stories and tunes stand way beyond his earthly existence. he will be remembered for what his music caused in the listeners. it as, is and will be transcendantal.
Jimi was a narcissist. He even called himself on it when he sang, "I used to live in a room full of mirrors, all I could see was me." He just happened to be an immensely talented one.
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http://www.baddogu.com |
Edited by - No Pride on 07/23/2010 17:42:34 |
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franjo
Member with too much time available
Germany
5352 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2010 : 16:55:32
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dear no pride,
i haven't seen that line in such a way, thanks.
maybe he noticed that he was narcist.
franjo
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"You're just a fleck of vomit in the parking lot of life" by sluggo
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Latest Hendrix Biography: Room Full of Mirrors
