For Those Who Rock, We Salute You
By Robin Givhan
Washington Post
Nothing and no one impresses like a rock star.
To borrow a word favored by Kimora Lee Simmons, rockers' "fabulosity" is without equal. Adults old enough to know better go giddy in their presence. Former Arkansas governor and now presidential candidate Mike Huckabee sounded almost indignant last week describing how police in his home state charged Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards with reckless driving back in the 1970s. When Huckabee met Richards last year, he righted that perceived wrong by pardoning the rock star. Cynics accused Huckabee of giving the famous special treatment, saying he wouldn't pardon the average citizen. To which Huckabee responded: "No, I wouldn't. . . . But here's the deal: If you can play guitar like Keith Richards, I'd do it for you."
Designers who have spent a lifetime protecting an elegant and tasteful image from the ravages of a single ill-considered remark readily hitch their reputations to the most unlikely of music stars. It doesn't matter if those stars are better known for taking a bullet than being able to carry a tune. Giorgio Armani, for example, has unleashed a full-blown public relations offensive to protest a negative review of a collection. Yet in 2005 he happily dressed the rapper 50 Cent and seated him in the front row at one of his fashion shows.
Athletes are coddled and overindulged because of their speed, stamina or exceptional hand-eye coordination. But popular culture also expects athletes, some of whom have barely graduated from high school, to be well-behaved role models. In exchange for the public's favor, they must inspire children; they must be tireless in signing autographs. They must give back, be heroic, smile for the cameras and be the American dream personified. They are chided for public drunkenness, womanizing and drug-dabbling.
Rock stars are also indulged. But bad behavior is their duty. Of course there are limits, but generally speaking, rock stars do not have to control their inner toddler. They can be moody jerks. They are expected to wreck a few hotel rooms. They are assumed to inhale and to do so with the gusto of a Dyson vacuum cleaner. And folks admire them for it.
(Continued here.)
Washington Post
Nothing and no one impresses like a rock star.
To borrow a word favored by Kimora Lee Simmons, rockers' "fabulosity" is without equal. Adults old enough to know better go giddy in their presence. Former Arkansas governor and now presidential candidate Mike Huckabee sounded almost indignant last week describing how police in his home state charged Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards with reckless driving back in the 1970s. When Huckabee met Richards last year, he righted that perceived wrong by pardoning the rock star. Cynics accused Huckabee of giving the famous special treatment, saying he wouldn't pardon the average citizen. To which Huckabee responded: "No, I wouldn't. . . . But here's the deal: If you can play guitar like Keith Richards, I'd do it for you."
Designers who have spent a lifetime protecting an elegant and tasteful image from the ravages of a single ill-considered remark readily hitch their reputations to the most unlikely of music stars. It doesn't matter if those stars are better known for taking a bullet than being able to carry a tune. Giorgio Armani, for example, has unleashed a full-blown public relations offensive to protest a negative review of a collection. Yet in 2005 he happily dressed the rapper 50 Cent and seated him in the front row at one of his fashion shows.
Athletes are coddled and overindulged because of their speed, stamina or exceptional hand-eye coordination. But popular culture also expects athletes, some of whom have barely graduated from high school, to be well-behaved role models. In exchange for the public's favor, they must inspire children; they must be tireless in signing autographs. They must give back, be heroic, smile for the cameras and be the American dream personified. They are chided for public drunkenness, womanizing and drug-dabbling.
Rock stars are also indulged. But bad behavior is their duty. Of course there are limits, but generally speaking, rock stars do not have to control their inner toddler. They can be moody jerks. They are expected to wreck a few hotel rooms. They are assumed to inhale and to do so with the gusto of a Dyson vacuum cleaner. And folks admire them for it.
(Continued here.)
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