crystals
04-12-2005, 02:27 AM
When stars fall
One hit wonderings
By Chris Picket & Tara Maroney
Published: Monday, April 11, 2005
Ever since "the Day the Music Died" 46 years ago, numerous musical icons have followed the same footsteps by dying in their prime.
The haunting memory of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's sorrowful demise will forever leave a scar upon rock 'n' roll's history. Imagine an avid rock fan waking to see three of their favorite acts' photos plastered across the front page along with the word "deceased." This feeling is relived repeatedly in the music world when the untimely death of a star occurs. People cried in 1980 when John Lennon was shot in New York City and people continued crying when Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994.
Anyone that follows music knows these musicians and their stories, but what happens when small acts follow the same road as these aforementioned acts.
Sometimes it takes years for an act to get noticed. Almost 26 years following his death, cultish folksinger Nick Drake's music was rediscovered - and in the strangest of mediums. "Pink Moon" was chosen to be the theme for a Volkswagen commercial. Ironically, his posthumous fame was foretold in his song from his first album, "Fruit Tree."
Three years after the release of his critically acclaimed, but publicly ignored album, "Grace," Jeff Buckley drowned in a small tributary of the Mississippi River. This death came on the eve of putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, "Sketches for My Sweetheart, the Drunk." Although his career was almost latent to the public's eye, his death brought attention to his music. His voice, which easily fretted a great range of octaves, began appearing on soundtracks and many peoples' playlists, thus immortalizing his legacy. So in a very Van Gogh manner, Buckley's material became more mainstream after his death.
Many artists have noticed this pattern of death as an agent of eternal recognition. Brand New's bitter and self-explanatory song title, "Good to Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die," seems to exemplify this notion. As a lover of music, one might find himself wondering whether a certain deceased act would indeed have this extended longevity. Embittered fans of bands overshadowed by the death of what they consider lesser acts may find themselves going against the grain in popular opinion.
Janis Joplin is another famous name that died too young. Then there is the tragedy of Aaliyah. One of Jennifer Lopez's first movie roles was playing singer Selena, who was killed in 1995, long before her prime.
Musicians always find a way into our hearts, be it through their music, lyrics or their untimely death. It is sad to think what great potential these musicians had left to explore. We can only imagine what they could have given us, and enjoy what we have.
http://www.dailycampus.com/news/2005/04/11/Focus/When-Stars.Fall-919928.shtml
One hit wonderings
By Chris Picket & Tara Maroney
Published: Monday, April 11, 2005
Ever since "the Day the Music Died" 46 years ago, numerous musical icons have followed the same footsteps by dying in their prime.
The haunting memory of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's sorrowful demise will forever leave a scar upon rock 'n' roll's history. Imagine an avid rock fan waking to see three of their favorite acts' photos plastered across the front page along with the word "deceased." This feeling is relived repeatedly in the music world when the untimely death of a star occurs. People cried in 1980 when John Lennon was shot in New York City and people continued crying when Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994.
Anyone that follows music knows these musicians and their stories, but what happens when small acts follow the same road as these aforementioned acts.
Sometimes it takes years for an act to get noticed. Almost 26 years following his death, cultish folksinger Nick Drake's music was rediscovered - and in the strangest of mediums. "Pink Moon" was chosen to be the theme for a Volkswagen commercial. Ironically, his posthumous fame was foretold in his song from his first album, "Fruit Tree."
Three years after the release of his critically acclaimed, but publicly ignored album, "Grace," Jeff Buckley drowned in a small tributary of the Mississippi River. This death came on the eve of putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, "Sketches for My Sweetheart, the Drunk." Although his career was almost latent to the public's eye, his death brought attention to his music. His voice, which easily fretted a great range of octaves, began appearing on soundtracks and many peoples' playlists, thus immortalizing his legacy. So in a very Van Gogh manner, Buckley's material became more mainstream after his death.
Many artists have noticed this pattern of death as an agent of eternal recognition. Brand New's bitter and self-explanatory song title, "Good to Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have to Do Is Die," seems to exemplify this notion. As a lover of music, one might find himself wondering whether a certain deceased act would indeed have this extended longevity. Embittered fans of bands overshadowed by the death of what they consider lesser acts may find themselves going against the grain in popular opinion.
Janis Joplin is another famous name that died too young. Then there is the tragedy of Aaliyah. One of Jennifer Lopez's first movie roles was playing singer Selena, who was killed in 1995, long before her prime.
Musicians always find a way into our hearts, be it through their music, lyrics or their untimely death. It is sad to think what great potential these musicians had left to explore. We can only imagine what they could have given us, and enjoy what we have.
http://www.dailycampus.com/news/2005/04/11/Focus/When-Stars.Fall-919928.shtml