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Post by noreaster on Feb 22, 2012 10:19:24 GMT -5
One last comment from me on the topic of homophobia in the radio industry...I see the comparison made frequently to Elton, George Michael, etc. as examples of why homophobia doesn't exist in radio.
But that is not a valid comparison, because these other solo performers were either deliberately asexual clown types (Elton, who also was married to a woman for a while) or portrayed as aggressively heterosexual (George Michael's Father Figure video showed him kissing a woman in a garter belt and a bra, for heaven's sakes).
Adam is unique in that he's gay AND he's very sexual AND not at all apologetic about it. It gets right at the "don't shove the gay in my face" meme that hidden homophobes like to use as their excuse.
I absolutely think it's a reason, whether they would ever admit it or not, why US radio (much of which is owned by highly conservative conglomerates) doesn't want to go there.
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aprilmarie816
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Post by aprilmarie816 on Feb 22, 2012 10:23:02 GMT -5
Well I'm not as fired up but I agree. One doesn't executive produce their own album if they simply want to blend in. Or talk about letting people trespass into his life... Sometimes I think Adam is just so different from most entertainers. I mean he is as real as you can be. Granted there must be things he can't or won't share w/ us but for the most part his honesty and how genuine he is, isn't the norm in this business. Some say he's just acting the part, blah, blah, blah, why? He's different in every way shape and form, one of the main reasons I love him. He knows what he wants and yes it kinds sucks having to wait AGAIN for the new cd, but it's his baby and his music and message obviously mean a great deal to him. Meeting him just proved that to me, sweet-heart!!!  |
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Post by flowergirl on Feb 22, 2012 10:24:47 GMT -5
OK. I've been listening to Kiss108 Boston every morning in hopes of hearing BTIKM. nada. Today they talked about Adam and the Queen gig in their Entertainment Report..."you're familiar with Adam Lambert...we play his music...he did the Kiss Concert...really friendly, very very very nice guy...you wouldn't bring him home to mom [obligatory lame joke : ]...he's delaying the release of his new CD, but the single's already out...blah blah blah..." so I emailed them and asked why they aren't playing the single and Jim (producer/music director) answered right away, "I'm on it, coming soon, I promise!"so let's give it a chance! |
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irish1139
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Post by irish1139 on Feb 22, 2012 10:25:03 GMT -5
FanoftheMan, I agree with you. Shaking also. "No one puts baby in the corner."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2012 10:29:34 GMT -5
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the posts earlier by Cassie, Melliemom, and Alison (and I'm sure there are others I have missed). (I see you sugaree).
(long -- feel free to scroll)
For those made angry by these posts ... I would hope there is room on this board to talk about values. The fact is that for some of us, the process we have seen unfold the last few weeks with BTIKM and the brilliant video is encapsulated by the old saying "casting pearls before swine." The fact is that Adam IS different than American Top 40 radio in 2012. I have tried to listen to it and it is all workout music.
Adam IS more talented. His songs ARE more musical and interesting. He has ideas and thoughts he wants to share with us, not merely a 4/4 beat and some kind of semi-literate rant to go along with it.
I think it is a perfectly legitimate topic of discussion to wonder what is Adam's place in today's world, and will he be asked or choose to make serious artistic compromises to get there. That is no disrespect to Adam to ask that question.
It seems to me that regarding BTIKM itself and what will happen next, there are two conversations going on simultaneously. One is the business, RCA, what are the new songs, what will they do next. Part of that discussion is the fan's role and whether the fan activities asked of us are useful or futile. I see no harm in asking the question or attempting to find answers.
(Side note: After all, it DOES feel rather futile right now. I and thousands of others have been voting and requesting their heads off and gotten nowhere. I WOULD actually like to know whether there is a point to it, or whether we are just being used ... and if so for what purpose? So far the only argument I've seen in support of requesting and voting is childlike faith, along the lines of "he's knows if you've been bad or good/So be good for goodness sake." If there is more to it I'd love to know.)
The other conversation is people sharing their values. We all have different values that we bring to the table and we view Adam's actions and the things that happen to him through those values and experiences. I don't think being an Adam fan requires that you love his record company executives or the radio program directors that hold much of his short-term fate in their hands. I don't think it even requires that you love or understand or feel at ease with every decision Adam himself makes.
I wish that we could recognize that and be respectful when people share that. I truly love all the cheerleaders on the board. You guys never fail to lift my spirits. But I would hope there is room for other types of "kids" too to speak up and speculate. I just don't see the need for such strong disapproval.
My 2 cents.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2012 10:39:22 GMT -5
One last comment from me on the topic of homophobia in the radio industry...I see the comparison made frequently to Elton, George Michael, etc. as examples of why homophobia doesn't exist in radio. But that is not a valid comparison, because these other solo performers were either deliberately asexual clown types (Elton, who also was married to a woman for a while) or portrayed as aggressively heterosexual (George Michael's Father Figure video showed him kissing a woman in a garter belt and a bra, for heaven's sakes). Adam is unique in that he's gay AND he's very sexual AND not at all apologetic about it. It gets right at the "don't shove the gay in my face" meme that hidden homophobes like to use as their excuse. I absolutely think it's a reason, whether they would ever admit it or not, why US radio (much of which is owned by highly conservative conglomerates) doesn't want to go there. There is absolutely homophobia in radio and in the entertainment industry in general (which is ironic and sad considering how many homosexuals there actually are in this field) but is that what is keeping radio from playing BTIKM? I don't know because WWFM got lots of radio play and IIHY got moderate radio play. Maybe radio just doesn't like the song? |
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skylar
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Post by skylar on Feb 22, 2012 10:40:53 GMT -5
Is anyone familiar with the children's story about the Rainbow Fish? It is a very popular allegory about not thinking you are better than everyone else, but sharing your attributes with others in order for them to accept you and be your friend. A very good lesson for kids. However, something about the story always bothered me. See, the Rainbow Fish WAS the most beautiful fish in the ocean, with gorgeous jewel-toned scales. All the other fish wanted his scales. In order to be accepted by them, the Rainbow Fish gives each of the other fish a beautiful scale, until he only has one left--- the same amount as all the other fish. Then, they all play happily together. It seems to me that the story is not saying you need to share yourself with others as much as it is saying you must strip yourself of your individuality and beauty in order to fit in. You must make everyone equal - even tho' it requires you to painfully extract the very thing that makes you the special person you are. Why am I writing about the Rainbow Fish on Adamtopia? Because it seems to me that there are those out there who do not like Adam, will not play with Adam (or play his songs) BECAUSE Adam is uniquely himself, uniquely beautiful. In order to get his songs played on the radio he has to strip himself of those unique qualities in order to sound like everything else on the radio. I would much rather Adam stay true to himself and make his kind of music his way, even if it means he does not become a mega-star with songs playing every hour and soaring up to the top of the charts. I would much prefer that Adam gets the critical acclaim and recognition and has healthy sales and a reasonable profit. I'm not saying it is an "either/or" situation. There is always the possibility that his unique voice and musicianship will catch on and rage thru the pop music world like wild-fire. But, if it doesn't, I never want him to compromise his voice, his style, his musicianship in order to look/sound like every other fish in the sea. IMHO. YMMV Cassie! I cannot tell you how much I love what you have written.He has huge pressure both from the industry and from many in the gay community, as Adam himself has pointed out, to play it safe, really, really safe (BTIKM safe) in order to gain wider acceptance. I hope, but I am not so sure that Adam fully realizes the exquisite beauty of his highly unique exploration years. I have no doubt they are and they will be be seen as part of his greatest personal artistic expression. They are a sign of an incredible strength of character, individuality, and self trust. That Adam had the courage to go there, to explore, to strut so far out the box is a huge part of my attraction to him as an artist. This is where we see the tiger. It is exhilarating. His courage is a gift and a lesson for the rest of us. So few have this level of courage. I pray he never, ever loses this. But it is much, much easier to do when no-one is looking. As Melliemom points out, many have lost themselves while "playing the fame game" thinking that later would come out in full strength unique creativity. Adam is in the fame game without a doubt. May he continue to have the incredible courage it truly takes to continue his creative exploration in full public eye. There are without a doubt those who sound far more like Freddie, but IMHO Adam has been chosen not just for his incredible vocal ability, but for his indomitable spirit, his out the box creative self expression and his will and determination to be fully himself, not someone else. Adam has been chosen because he has had the guts to be fully himself just as Freddie had the guts to express his fabulous inner freak. With all due respect to two incredible musicians, this is what Queen has been missing. |
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aprilmarie816
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Post by aprilmarie816 on Feb 22, 2012 10:41:59 GMT -5
So glad to live where I do. My radio stations B104 and Q102 support BTIKM and play it regularly! (not as much as kelly or katy, lol but still!)
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lyris
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Post by lyris on Feb 22, 2012 10:54:59 GMT -5
Hopefully a more happy topic: In an interview with THR Boy George was asked about Adam. www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/boy-george-talks-culture-club-160857THR: Speaking of Idol, what's your impression of Adam Lambert? George: He came to a party I had in London and was lovely. I think he has a great voice and an incredible range. It's phenomenal. It's special. And I think the glam thing adds to that. It gives him an edge. THR: Since Idol, Adam has been pretty open about his sexuality, do you wish you could have been more up front about yours at the height of your career? George: I think you do things in your own time. My family knew I was gay when I was 15, long before I got famous. But it's a very different thing coming out to your family and coming out to the universe. That's a big step. Maybe without me, there wouldn't be Adam Lambert. Without Bowie, there wouldn't be me. Without Quentin Crisp, there wouldn't have been Bowie. So everything is part of a big daisy chain. A lot of people come up to me all the time and say thank you for helping me be who I am. So my thing wasn't just about sexuality. It was about anyone who felt different; anyone who felt out of place. Being gay was one part of it. (The bolding is as in the article) |
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Post by Buderschnookie on Feb 22, 2012 10:58:02 GMT -5
Quentin Crisp is one of my heroes.
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