American Idol Auditions - Do They Work?

Taped an episode of Music Business Radio with drummer Gregg Bissonette a couple of days ago.  Gregg has played with a wide range of artists, both onstage and in the studio, including David Lee Roth, Don Henley, Duran Duran, Ray Charles, and Carlos Santana.

As I was doing pre-show stuff, a lot of funny stuff about David Lee Roth popped up.  Including this...

Got me thinking about the American Idol audition process...

It works on one level, but I think this video, even though it's a joke, does a pretty good job of showing what would happen had somebody like David Lee Roth came through the door.  American Idol, and other "systems" like it, just aren't made for somebody like David Lee Roth.

And they may not be made for you either.

I get a lot of email from acts who are frustrated that they don't fit into the mold and feel that what they're doing doesn't appear to be working in the current manifestation of the music business.  I hope the above video makes you feel better, because not fitting in may actually be your best asset as far as a longterm career.

In 20 years, it's doubtful that we'll remember Miley Cyrus as more than a teenager who had a few good months topping the pop music charts.  And it's more doubtful that we'll remember anybody who is on the current season of American Idol.  But David Lee Roth will be remembered as the front man for one of the biggest rock acts of all time.

Comments

[Phil Johnson]

Hilarious! I'd much rather listen to a singer that doesn't fit the mold of AI. Those singers all come our sounding the same..

Can we talk about more greats that would never get on there? Mick Jagger, Prince, Bob Dylan, Steven Tyler, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix? Good lord, David Byrne?

See rock and pop music is not about having a good voice. It's about having an interesting voice. And that's what's missing on AI. Who gives a damn if it's "pitchy" as long as it's effective?

[mr. meeble]

I hate American Idol, but...
I think if a younger Prince were to show up on American Idol, he would demolish the competition and win easily.

[John Pedraza]

We give too much attention to American Idol. Not a fan of David Lee Roth anyway. American Idol designed for corporate music and it's popularity shows how mediocre American music has become. What would Simon have thought of John Lennon? Janis Joplin? You get the point. It's aimed at the average mediocre American who there are plenty of. John- an American.

[Dawn]

Now THAT's funny! Thanks for getting me in the mood for the new season of AMERICAN IDOL!