Speak Ill of the Dead

No, I won't speak ill of the dead, but just because someone dies doesn't make them a saint. No names mentioned, but lately whenever a back burner has been entertainer dies, especially if they die from drug abuse, suddenly it's the "in" thing to pretend you always loved them. I've never been one to follow trends. Just because someone has passed away doesn't erase their stupidity or failures.

For ten years after Elvis' death he was disrespected by what Elvis' first unofficial biographer described as the "hipper than thou." Mainly it was the crowd on Saturday Night Live, always portraying him as a fat redneck when he never was either of those. Elvis was Southern but anything but a hick or redneck. He was so far ahead of "his time" that in the 21st century, the music industry can't even catch up.

Last night was a good night of karaoke because only one poor soul made a comment to me about the deceased daughter of a former Elvis back up singer. I did not like the way she sang Dolly Parton's song, "I Will Always Love You," even though there were others who sang it in a similar style to that that was pretty good. No, I didn't like the way she and those who have followed sang our National Anthem. There are certain songs that have tunes for a reason. I saw it as a lack of respect.

Still not mentioning any names, but I remember a girl who burst on the scene and hearing her first song and thinking, now there's a singer. It was sung very much in the tradition of Marylin McCoo (5th Dimension) and it was called "Saving All My Love for You." Then I heard rumors that the Soul Train crowd and their "award" labeled her as "not black enough." Good grief. Too bad she apparently listened to people like that and very unfortunate that she started hanging with thugs, or so it seems.

A lot of people loved this person and her talent, because she was capable. But I'm afraid a lot of people will praise this and many other folks because it's just the thing to do. In the eighties you had to wear designer jeans with the tag showing and those God-awful Izod polo shirts. There was the collegiates when I was in high school who had to wear their name-brand clothes to try to prove their worth. Never bought into that. Lately it's been little punk thugs with hats on backwards and their little silver tags to prove legitimacy. In the words of Dirty Harry, "That's a helluva price to pay to be STYLISH!"

Rest in peace entertainers. Lord help you, because eyes are on you 24/7. That can't be easy. I haven't walked in your moccasins. I can't judge.

I wanna dance with somebody

Whoops, there goes another bandwagon. Missed it again!