Over the last few years, I've watched the Grammys to find out just how un-hip I am. It turns out that last night, Mick Jagger, who's nearly 70, tore it up and gave all the kids a lesson in how it's done. Meeng! (Every self-respecting Buffalonian understands what "meeng" at the end of a sentence means.) And those 'kids' who didn't recognize Mick's legacy and tutorial genius need to stay after class for some remedial review. It so happens that I missed Jagger's performance last night because I turned off the tube after Dylan did his victory lap on 'Maggie's Farm.' "How can it get any more authentic than this," I thought. Dylan personifies the "ef it all, I paid my dues, I'm a legend and I'm gonna do what I think is good music and have fun... or maybe not" attitude.
I checked out Jagger's performance on line and on the morning shows to see if it was as good or better than all my Facebook friends said it was. Roger that. The cape and attendant reminded me of Screamin' Jay Hawkins or Little Richard.
I don't want to rip Lady Gaga's shtick. I'm not 'down' with it, but it's pretty obvious what she's doing. And maybe the purists and legacies are justifiably torked because "it's all been done before." Okay, I get that. Kind of Elton John + Freddie Mercury + Madonna to the tenth power. But does anybody remember Elvis shakin' it, Jerry Lee standing on the piano and playing "Great Balls of Fire'" with his feet. Marrying his 13 year old cousin. (And allegedly killing a few associates years later.) Alice Cooper? (Marilyn Manson's grandfather.) Ever been to an AC/DC concert, a Dead show or seen Peter Gabriel or ZZ Top? ZZ Top once did a show at the Aud with live rattlesnakes in glass cases and live steer on stage. Tell me that wasn't Texas Freak!
The Grammy Awards Show isn't the Byrds, Eagles, Elvis Costello or U2. It's an over the top, mardi gras freak show for a night. The Band (the group) once sang
"Life Is A Carnival". Rock n roll always has been just that. These days with a heavy dash of spectacle added to the mix. The hype often surpasses the content.