EchoBlog

Putting aside the time-worn debate regarding the talent vs. popularity of the bands/artists who reap Grammys and inductions into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, no one can deny Swifts success/fame. She sells massive amounts of music, generates a billion in ticket sales, disrupted the ticketing system due to unusually high demand, and, even, improves the economy - (temporarily) of the areas lucky enough to host her concerts. Person of the year? Why, because of the above? Pit Swift against the Beatles; her vocal prowess to Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Adele, Hannah Reid (London Grammar), Ronnie Spector, and scores of others. Swift was going to tour anyway, so the economic growth of those areas were a matter of logistics. How did she make the world a better place? Isn't that what the accolade should be addressing?

Of course, Swift is extremely talented, but the standards of fame do not depend on skill and the right mix of genes. So many ultra talented individuals/groups languished and disappeared while lesser beings blew right past 'em. Obviously, no Swifty am I, but a dozen or so songs of hers are bookmarked on my devices and play every single day.

I'm also mourning the recent news about the death of Melanie, a true talent of another era. She never made it into the R&R HoF, though certainly more qualified than Jay Z, Dolly Parton, and Bon Jovi. Are Jay Z. and Dolly P. uber-talents? Of course, but attached to different musical genres. Kate Bush, who influenced more than 50 of the 200+ artists/bands (male/female) I interviewed/covered between 1978 - 1988 cited her as an influence. Not so w/Bon J, for example.

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