When The Music Dies

[Dogsinplastic]

i don't really feel attached to any celebrities.

It's not the celebrity or that they are or were celebrities. It's the art that they created and how it affected me and/or continues to to affect me. Musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, comedians, directors, actors, photographers, etc.

It's not "them" or their fame, outside of "they" being the creators/conduit or work(s) that have spoken to me and their fame potentially being part of what allowed me to be exposed to their work. Many of the artists that I love weren't particularly famous when I first heard them or started enjoying their work. For those that were, it was the work that grabbed me and enjoying the ride as they continued to do more that kept me around. In many instances, it was the ride that caused me to move on, as they went in a direction that no longer interested me. There are quite a few artists that I love that are far from celebrities, but it doesn't make me like them less or think of them as less than the most "famous" artists I love. Further, some of these folks aren't "great" or even "good" people, that is to say people that I like. Barring being a violent criminal or sexual predator or deplorable their imperfections/flaws aren't going to affect my appreciation of the art. That said, I no longer listen to/watch OR enjoy any of Cosby's work and I used to love almost everything he'd ever done, but his deplorable criminal sexual predation flicked the switch...might as have never existed.

And appreciation is not the same as attachment.

 

[GDSmithTX]

I had just started at music school at Five Towns College when I went to the corner store and Stevie Ray's death was the headline on all the NY papers. I had just seen him that summer in Killington, VT and he was phenomenal. Listened to him and the Vaughan Brothers album a ton for the next few months, but also tons of others stuff. Like Jimi, I think he had a lot of growth coming...more evolution as a musician.

Indeed. That final album shows a lot of growth, particularly with the stunningly beautiful jazz-blues meditation "Riviera Paradise" .... it's heartbreaking that we never got to hear more explorations like that.

 

[Gary Blanchard]

life is a mystery i guess. people die. life moves on. its hard to feel attached to people I have never met. most celebrities aren't who they portray so you are just worshipping an image of a stranger.

For me, it isn't the person I've never met, it is the beauty their art brought to my life. That is what hits me, that they will not bring another piece of magic into my life and the life of others.

 

[sleewell]

It's not the celebrity or that they are or were celebrities. It's the art that they created and how it affected me and/or continues to to affect me. Musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, comedians, directors, actors, photographers, etc.

It's not "them" or their fame, outside of "they" being the creators/conduit or work(s) that have spoken to me and their fame potentially being part of what allowed me to be exposed to their work. Many of the artists that I love weren't particularly famous when I first heard them or started enjoying their work. For those that were, it was the work that grabbed me and enjoying the ride as they continued to do more that kept me around. In many instances, it was the ride that caused me to move on, as they went in a direction that no longer interested me. There are quite a few artists that I love that are far from celebrities, but it doesn't make me like them less or think of them as less than the most "famous" artists I love. Further, some of these folks aren't "great" or even "good" people, that is to say people that I like. Barring being a violent criminal or sexual predator or deplorable their imperfections/flaws aren't going to affect my appreciation of the art. That said, I no longer listen to/watch OR enjoy any of Cosby's work and I used to love almost everything he'd ever done, but his deplorable criminal sexual predation flicked the switch...might as have never existed.

And appreciation is not the same as attachment.

yes i know that appreciation is not the same as attachment which is why i used attachment in my post.

 

[shoeless]

I had just started at music school at Five Towns College when I went to the corner store and Stevie Ray's death was the headline on all the NY papers. I had just seen him that summer in Killington, VT and he was phenomenal. Listened to him and the Vaughan Brothers album a ton for the next few months, but also tons of others stuff. Like Jimi, I think he had a lot of growth coming...more evolution as a musician.

Agreed in both cases.

 

[Dogsinplastic]

yes i know that appreciation is not the same as attachment which is why i used attachment in my post.

Still, it's not attachment to the person or their "celebrity", but to the art. Losing the artist is the thing that gets to most of us, as you surely know.

 

[rsadasiv]

Kurt Cobain really made me feel betrayed and alone.

 

[parrotheada1a]

For me, it isn't the person I've never met, it is the beauty their art brought to my life. That is what hits me, that they will not bring another piece of magic into my life and the life of others.

Well said Gary. On the same theme, So are folks like sports players, and some celebrities. My dad used to call them 'disposable heroes'. Meaning that once they are gone from the public eye, they can become easily forgotten.