| Is Something Lacking In Our Musical Performers? | | | | movies. This was the "movie Elvis." Then, Elvis |
| There seems to be a gap in the musical industry at | | | | entered into his musical comeback phase. He |
| this time. It seems that only the most extremes of | | | | recorded music and performed live in Las Vegas |
| music have survived this very fickle industry. | | | | during this time. The final stage was his jump suit |
| For example, if you turn the radio on, what you'll hear | | | | stage, sometimes called the last days of Elvis Presley. |
| are extremes and styles of music. On one station | | | | This was the time during which, although he still |
| you'll hear just talk. On another station you'll hear | | | | sounded good vocally, he appeared overweight and |
| rapping, with words of violent underscores. On | | | | bloated. |
| another station you'll hear classical music. On another | | | | Let's change styles right now in music and turn to |
| station you'll hear someone singing about whiskey | | | | Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Frank Sinatra and |
| and forgetting their pain. On yet another station you'll | | | | Dean Martin were part of the Rat Pack. They |
| hear what's left of what we used to call, "pop music." | | | | performed in Las Vegas, recorded records, and made |
| The change in pop music, and what may be lacking, is | | | | several movies. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra |
| what I would like to address at this time. It seems | | | | certainly reflected unique talent, good voices, and |
| there used to be a larger variety of pop music | | | | wonderful music that we have to enjoy. |
| available when listening to pop music stations. | | | | However, who is the next big talent we follow with |
| However, at this time it has decreased to a narrow | | | | a fine-tooth comb, from beginning to end? Who is |
| amount where one singer sounds like much like the | | | | the next Elvis Presley, Beatles, Dean Martin, or Frank |
| last singer. There is not many songs available to hear | | | | Sinatra? |
| of Celine Dion. One's singer that has managed to stay | | | | There is certainly a gap in popular music today. Sure, |
| on top consistently is Christina Aguilera. | | | | you can find many popular artists with popular songs. |
| One could not argue with the fact that twenty years | | | | However, they all lack that certain uniqueness in |
| ago popular music was much different than today. | | | | caliber of performers of days passed. Maybe it's a |
| And I'm not sure it could be argued that it is getting | | | | lack of charisma. Maybe it's the lack of mystery. I |
| better all the time. Just about ten years ago Elton | | | | don't know. |
| John had hit songs from the movie The Lion King, | | | | However, shows like American Idol are certainly |
| Celine Dion had a hit song from the movie Titanic. | | | | trying to recapture that with what they are doing. |
| The eighties and nineties had many hit songs from | | | | American Idol is trying to discover talent that could |
| movies, including CaddyShack, Officer and a | | | | be turned into another Elvis Presley or someone who |
| Gentleman, Dirty Dancing, Good Morning Vietnam, | | | | will change music and be remembered forever. |
| Moonstruck, and La Bamba. Perhaps it has something | | | | Although they have discovered many unique and |
| to do with the fact that there are not many hit | | | | great talents, if you ask Simon Cowell or Randy |
| songs or hit song soundtracks from popular movies | | | | Jackson, I believe they would tell you they have not |
| these days. Hollywood has attempted to do this but | | | | found talent that has achieved what they originally |
| has not reached the peak it once achieved. | | | | intended. |
| Going back farther in time, one could trace pop music | | | | Yes, they have found great talent. The talent they |
| back to the roots of rock-and-roll itself. Elvis Presley | | | | have discovered certainly lacks nothing on the vocal |
| carved out a whole new trend in music. The Beatles | | | | side of things. However, perhaps it is something in |
| followed with great songs and performances that | | | | the personality of the performer that's missing that |
| changed the music world. The Beatles seemed to go | | | | has not launched them to the status of Elvis Presley, |
| through several stages and reflected it in their music. | | | | John Lennon, Dean Martin, Jim Morrison, or Kurt |
| When the Beatles first came to America, they | | | | Cobain. |
| recorded songs of love with lollipop lyrics. Following | | | | Perhaps it is something these legendary artists |
| this, they let their hair grow out, and recorded music | | | | possessed that was mysterious and unknown to us. |
| with more convoluted meaning, which seemed to | | | | There is definitely something missing. American Idol, |
| question the rulers and authority of the times. When | | | | along with many other music labels, are certainly still |
| the Beatles finally broke up, brand-new music trends | | | | looking for someone to turn the music industry |
| evolved with the music of Paul McCartney and | | | | upside down. |
| Wings, and John Lennon's solo work. | | | | I don't know, perhaps that won't ever happen again. |
| Elvis started out as the Hillbilly Cat, recording for Sun | | | | Perhaps the performers that managed to change |
| Records. His Southern drawl was very prominent and | | | | music forever, like Elvis, the Beatles, Jim Morrison, |
| his hair was a dirty blond color. Then he entered into | | | | Kurt Cobain, are of our history and days past. I hope |
| the era where he died his hair black, completed a | | | | not. |
| stint in the Army and had a whole new career in | | | | |