Do you think some pop stars should retire?

[Mudbug]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 5:09pm

Do you think our pop stars go on past their best?
Should some of them stop making a fool of themselves and pack it all in.

Or is it OK to be still rockin' at 65?
Mick Jagger is now 65, should Madonna still be dressing like she does on stage?

Will Michael Jackson ever 'Beat It?'
Is Elton John now a load of old crock?

If you fancy voting for who you think should retire
go to http://www.thisdayinmusic.com

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 5:18pm

I think it's foolish and ageist to think this way. If they were truly done, people wouldn't still buy tickets to their shows.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 5:38pm

Ergo Michael Jackson is truly done. He doesn't DO anything anymore, although he assured us on his recent 50th birthday that "the best is yet to come."

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 5:48pm

If said rocker can still 'cut the mustard', then all the more power to them.

However, there are some that simply sound and look awful and should have quit while ahead. I hate to see them this way. Example-Debbie Harry

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 6:53pm

There are "pop stars" and then there are "legends". Mick and Elton are legends and legends never need to retire. Pop stars on the other hand-many need to go out to pasture after they have one or two hit albums.

There are no more legends to be born the way that the consumer culture chews up and spits out pop stars and hit songs. There will never be another Elton, Madonna, Billy Joel, Cher, etc. People nowadays always want the next new thing and only buy singles and not albums. Superstars that last over generations are dead.

[CMoore]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:01pm

Abso-freaking-lutely, and I'm sorry, but Madonna is at the top of my list.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:53pm

Ok. So what age will you be retiring CMoore? Even if the voice is still working, the crowds are still showing up, and the BWW threads are still hopping with song suggestions?

Please enlighten me as to why Madonna should retire. She's 50 and has a better body than most 20 year olds. Dances with more stamina than most of her dancers. Has never sounded better vocally in her life. Still produces great music. Sells out stadiums and ends a tour in the multimillions.

I'm sorry, but I've been listening to catty queens (who still squeal to the dance floor whenever she's on) declare her over since the 80s. And, they repeat it over and over despite album after album. Despite tour after tour. Despite hit after hit. Give me a break.

It's ageist and based in not one ounce of rationality.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:56pm

"There will never be another Elton, Madonna, Billy Joel, Cher, etc. People nowadays always want the next new thing and only buy singles and not albums."

All of them were/are pretty much singles artists when you get right down to it.

"Has never sounded better vocally in her life."

Talk about your backhanded compliments!

Updated On: 9/3/08 at 07:56 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:57pm

Madonna is the best example of why some rock stars should NOT retire.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:59pm

"She's 50 and has a better body than most 20 year olds."

If you don't include the hands.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 7:59pm

Hell, I'd LOVE to be able to retire at 50.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:00pm

No, I think she's always had a great pop voice and it's only gotten stronger.

Listen, I realize you are the rock god of BWW, Namo, making the Village Voice and Rolling Stone look like TeenBeat. So, no, I won't try to appease your musical tastes. I know it's a feat few can accomplish.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:02pm

"The hands and feet give it away"

I like how knocking her looks is supposed to actually mean something. I'm sure you're a hunk hottie of a man, Namo, but can you honestly cast stones?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:13pm

Listen, you're the one who presented the youthfulness of her body as a reason why she should be admired. You can't do THAT and then decry looksism. And frankly, as the French say, you choose to either have a good looking face or a good looking ass as you age. I think they should amend it to be "you choose to have a good looking face and hands, or a good looking ass as you age." Madonna has made her choice and is now sporting gloves whenever possible, you do the math. Me? I have a GORGEOUS face. It's really something to gaze upon.

And I realize you are quoting Rath (which must give you pause) with this "rock god" nonsense but it's not a label I've ever given myself. I believe it springs from my incredulity at Madonna's inclusion in any sort of "rock" award category. And I see by the opening night clips of this tour that (to quote the GLORIOUSLY talented Sandra Bernhard) "bitch is STILL wearing the guitar"! If you haven't seen the Cardiff clips of Madge bellowing Borderline I urge you to do so. Without Donna De Lory there to sing the melody line, Madonna is nowhere NEAR the notes. I don't know who the Donna replacement is, but she's not doing her job so Madonna doesn't have to do hers.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:18pm

I wasn't quoting rath. If she said that, too, then I guess you've put off that image. But to be honest, it's not an insult. The insult is that you are snobby about it. :P

If she sucks singing live, then fine. I think we've both acknowledged that she's had some awful, ear piercing moments her entire career. The nights I saw her at the Garden did not contain such moments. And I expected them.

So she decided to pick up the guitar and wants to include a rock sound--electric or acoustic-- to her music. What. A. Crime.

I'm sure you have a lovely face.

Updated On: 9/3/08 at 08:18 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:20pm

GORGEOUS face. Read more carefully.

"The nights I saw her at the Garden did not contain such moments." Donna has been there.

"And I expected them."

I know. And you've said that before, too. Which is why I think that I could legitimately say you writing that she has never sounded better is indeed a backhanded compliment!

See? Peace and love peace and love sweetie.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:25pm

The timbre of her voice has never been better. Her breath control, too. The pitchiness is much improved but not perfection. I'll let you know how it goes without Donna in November.

Better?

btw--I picked up the guitar a couple of years ago, too. I know I'll never be anything close to a legend on it, but I like writing on it and playing it where appropriate. I hope that's ok. If I need something official to do that--a license or certificate or rubber bracelet or branding, please let me know where and how to proceed.

Sorry--I'm sure you have a gorgeous face. If only I had a disco ball on hydraulics so that I might be lowered upon it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:28pm

You do realize she wasn't in the ball, right? She came up from under the stage.

Then again, haven't we all?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:31pm

I knew that. It ruined the magic of the moment a little but it's a fun idea. Smoke and mirrors!

I can't tell you how many trap doors I've come through!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:33pm

Me too. If you consider that small open part beneath the buddy booth window a "trap door."

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:35pm

We have completely threadjacked. You know just how to get on my good side.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 8:41pm

Sorry to threadjack the threadjack, but Namo, do you really pay such close attention to hands and feet? Of rock stars, I mean. Do you think anyone else does?

[Taryn]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 12:57am

You know, these are all people who started small, having a dream to write and perform music that helped to express themselves to an audience. They were lucky enough to get paid very well to do so. Why should we tell them they should stop doing something they love because they're getting a bit old?

[CMoore]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 1:19am

Just an opinion, obviously people love her, but I don't. Someone asked, I gave my answer.

[CMoore]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 1:35am

Also, her AGE has NOTHING to do with me saying that. She could be her 20-year-old self and I still wouldn't care for her. Some of my favorite artists are over the age of 50 already, I couldn't care less about that.