You've probably heard that Paul Rodgers is taking on the role of the new frontman for Queen. They are in the studio right now and should be releasing something in 2008.
What are your thoughts on this? Not just on Paul replacing Freddy, but anytime a valuable member of a band that has died, is replaced? I think of INXS going on the reality show to replace Michael Hutchence and I feel ill. No one can ever replace him. In my mind INXS ceases existing that day. Same with The Doors and Led Zeppelin.
Other bands seem to move on fine after replacing someone who's passed away - The Who for example has lost two its members but still consider themselves "The Who".
I found a new classic rock blog!!! It's called TJ Classic Rock The author seems to be a 37 year old guy from Malaysia with great taste in music and some interesting stuff on his site. The blog also seems to be relatively new. Stop by and tell him hello.
Personal news: I got a new job which I will start July 9. That means - No More Listening to Music at Work!!!! Its probably the biggest drawback of the new job, BUT you know what they say...
if there's a will there's a way :)
CD of the Day:
Michael Hutchence has a special place in my heart and memory. I just heard that they may be making a movie of his life starring Johnny Depp. I have mixed feelings about this. First, yes, Johnny would be the only person (other than maybe Val Kilmer but everyone would associate him with Jim M.) to play this role. What side of the story are they going to tell? How will we know its the truth? And how will this affect and his family? Why all of a sudden is this surfacing after all these years (because "INXS" needed some money and went on a stupid reality show to replace the one member that made them who they were? No bitterness here.)And, the biggest question I have:WHO IS GOING TO MAKE A PROFIT OFF THIS FILM?I have a big problem with this film being made in the first place, if only for personal reasons. I really don't want to re-live his death. I know, I know...I didn't even know the guy, but I felt like I did. Very few people seem to have realized what an incredible artist he was, the lyrics he wrote are amazing to me. I wish I would have written them. Many of his words hit close to home.There is a lot of controversy surrounding his death. He committed suicide while in a hotel room. There were rumors of auto-eroticism or a conspiracy because of Sir Bob Geldoff's child custody case with Michael's girlfriend. Here is the very sad twist...she died of a drug overdose a few years later. What does that mean? Who looked into this? Was it investigated properly? How does Sir Bob feel now that he has his child but her mother is dead? Was this a coincidence? The fact was - he hung himself with his belt and they found him there, kneeling on the floor, naked and dead.When I heard the news, I wanted it to be a bad dream. I wanted them to turn back the clock so he could change his mind. I remember suddenly identifying with a generation years younger than me, who heard the same thing about their "idol", Kurt Cobain, in '94.There were millions who loved and understood Kurt and his message. They say that's one reason he "left us". He never wanted Nirvana to be "popular" he wanted them to make a difference. I think he used his suicide as a very strong statement.Not too many people even know who Michael is when I mention his name. It was a news story that lasted a day here in the States and was forgotten. I can't forget him because of the way his songs made me feel (and still do). Anyhow, the point is....I think I know why he did it. He was tired. He was depressed. He was hopeless. Simple as that. That's why most people kill themselves. They can't take life anymore. The pain becomes unbearable. There is no hope for tomorrow. Every day is dark and dreary. The real question is not why did he kill himself, but why did his life become so bleak? He was talented, famous, rich, HANDSOME, sexy. Yet, none of that matters. When you are depressed it just does NOT matter. You have lost the will to continue living. The only people who truly understand have already pulled the trigger, tied the noose, took the pills or slashed their wrists.I sometimes wonder about those famous people that got labeled with "accidental drug overdose?". Undoubtedly some of them were intended suicides. Some may have been murder.
Is it better to leave the world thinking you screwed up and OD'd or that you purposely ended it? What if someone killed you, and no one sought justice for your death.
What bout Maryilyn Monroe and Judy Garland? Or Keith Moon and Brian Jones? What about Jim, Jimi and Janis? Chris Farley and John Belushi? What really happened?
I guess we will never know for sure.
If you read this, go put on some of the real INXS in honor of Michael - Suicide Blonde would be perfect for the occasion.
