Comments on: Musical Entertainers Vs. Musical Scientists

By: Rockula!

Rockula! — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:10:42 +0000

What’s the last thing a drummer says before he’s fired? Hey guys, why don’t we try one of my songs? This has been the case almost the entire length of my 27 years playing drums so I decided to try a solo thing. This has resulted in almost everyone ignoring what I do because “There’s no melody” Add to that,I grew up on KISS in the late 70’s, so my DNA was infused with the desire to succeed in “Category #2″. I have been un-successful in combining both categories but I am progressing. Thanks to Dr. O for giving me a shot in the arm so that I may persevere

By: Remis

Remis — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:04:07 +0000

I guess the stool is the key explanatory item in the case of Robert Fripp, who is one of the few ones that has defeated the age-genius curve

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:56:12 +0000

Pure entertainers live in 1 dimension (personality) while scientists many times are in the other two (talent and creativity). Three dimensional artists, who also could be called entertaining scientists, are quite rare.

By: Preston

Preston — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:57:37 +0000

Just who are you channeling??

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:27:40 +0000

Do you smell the fresh air entering the room? I’ve never been able to put such a fine point on it, but it’s the very attitude you describe in the article regarding the first group of people that has bothered me so. Neil Peart was bemoaning such a thing about 25-30 years ago when he observed that there was a “lowest common denominator” mentality that was fueled by all of the mooks who are trying to cash in on music, rather than advance anything artistically. It’s like Zappa said, people treat music like they treat wallpaper, or the kinds of magazines they leave on the coffee table. It’s there to reinforce the image they have of themselves.

Regarding the first comment, Steve Vai is more the exception than the rule as guitarists go, and there’s less irony in having him up front than in having guys like Minneman, Bozzio, Agren and Donati sit in the back and pretend that the only thing they bring to the table musically is “a good beat people can dance to”.

By: Carence of A'Labia

Carence of A'Labia — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:21:13 +0000

If you are stating that a musician/performer must fall under one catagory according to the parameters you set, I disagree. What catagory do you think someone like Steve Vai falls under? He is a superb performer and yet I admire his ability to think outside the box. He pushes the musical envelope and still entertains at his live performances.

Although I agree with the basic ideas you are conveying, but I don’t think it’s a black or white issue.