Musical Heresy

I read a column in the online version of the local newspaper all the time.  “The Life Sherpa by Joe Holleman.  Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t: this one though upset me.  Marginalizing someone’s, anyone’s, death isn’t very, Christian, nice, human, whatever.  Either way the comparisons he makes in the article are so off base.

Amy was 27 when she died.  She lived the “rock-n-roll” lifestyle and it caught up to her.  She released 2 studio albums the last one topping out at number two on the US charts and had one top 20 single.  At the end she was booed off the stage for being “under the influence” while performing.  She was made out to be the bad guy for failing rehab.  Without her we wouldn’t have Adele or Duffy.  Even Lady Gaga has given Amy credit for opening her door to success.

Is there a good comparison for Amy out there?  Why yes.

He was 27 when he died.  He too lived a “rock-n-roll” lifestyle and it caught up with him.  He released 3 studio albums the last one topping out at number one on the US charts and had one top 20 single.  At the end he was cheered on stage for being “under the influence” while performing.  He never even tried to rehab.  He didn’t break ground directly for anyone, but still was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Any idea who yet?

Jimi Hendrix…

One is vilified, the other idolized.  Why?