Gary Glitter is a convicted sex offender and has been banned from 19 countries. In 1999, he was imprisoned for possessing child pornography. In 2006, he was jailed in Vietnam for sexually assaulting two young girls.
Every week, at arenas across the US, his song "Rock and Roll, Part 2" is played for huge audiences during sporting events. His music has been covered by Joan Jett, The Human League, Hoodoo Gurus, and too many other acts to list here.
This week, his song "Do You Wanna Touch Me" was featured on Glee and is now climbing up the charts once again.
Some people are pissed. Should they be?
Where do we draw the line on what's acceptable behavior for the musicians we deal with? Is there anything that would keep you from dealing with a certain musician or his music?
Vince Neil has killed a guy and recently pled guilty to DUI. Would that keep you from licensing a Motley Crue record or covering one of their songs?
How about R. Kelly and his alleged behavior with underage girls? Michael Jackson?
Ron Isley and his tax issues?
Discuss...
Wow, powerful question. Personally I think there should be a high bar, but obviously culture/mass media has long held one that's quite low...
Posted by: Stevegrossman | March 11, 2011 at 11:53 AM
I'll draw a distinction between "dealing with a certain musician or his music". I'd judge the musician - but not the music.
For example, the classic James Brown tracks didn't stop being funky as hell just because James started behaving erratically.
The painter Caravaggio accidentally killed a man (he was "only" trying to castrate him). That doesn't make art museums pull his paintings off their walls.
History is full of examples of unpleasant people making great art.
In fact, one of the great things about art is that it surpasses its creator.
Posted by: Stateofm | March 12, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Is the correct answer GG Allin?
Posted by: Steven | March 14, 2011 at 06:07 PM
The difference between GG and the people I mentioned was that GG actually wanted to be a criminal. :)
Posted by: David Hooper | March 14, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Great question. It seems to me in the past few months, one of his songs was used in a commercial, that is, until it was brought to the company's attention what he'd done. A perfect example of art surpassing the author. Wish I could remember what company it was.
I have mixed feelings about it because I really love "Do You Wanna Touch" but don't want to support him financially, no matter now small, by covering it.
I am pleased that you brought other examples into the equation. Vince Neil is a perfect example of screwballs who keep screwing up. His recent DUI and minuscule time served for that charge. One would think the 1984 deadly DUI would have been the lesson. I better shut up, I'm starting to wander off-topic...
Posted by: Allen Tate | March 29, 2011 at 07:39 PM