JUDGES SHOULD NOT JUDGE
FEBRUARY 12, 2012
The second time in several a television judge has fell flat proving that just because you can decide talent whether you have any is for the viewers to decide. We decide, NO!!!!
Steven Tyler should have auditioned in the outdoor stadium environment before getting the nod to perform the national anthem in front of millions at the Superbowl. Adam Levine should not have left his career in the hands of his agent/manager who clearly overestimated the talent of his client to sing THE BEACH BOYS.
This is not to say that what they have done to put them on the map AEROSMITH and MAROON 5 was not great in and of itself. Know your limitations drop your ego at the door. Some artists believe the hype and turn a blind eye to the voices in their heads that remind them of what their abilities really are.
Steven Tyler has one of the ultimate Rock 'N' Roll voices since the 70's. He along with his band-mates aggressively took control of Boston, Massachusetts but could not be contained to one city . Although their first single "Dream On" from their debut album Aerosmith in 1973 took time to spread across the states it was number one in their home city. It would be 2 years and two albums later before the band would take the world by storm with the 1975 release of Toys in the Attic and the second single release "Sweet Emotion." Eleven album/cds later with major band ups and downs with a eight year hiatus on new material, an induction into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Steven Tyler signs up as the latest "American Idol" judge and debuts on January 19, 2011.
The years of touring as with most artists who are driven into the ground with a hectic touring schedule then the added drug usage shows its repercussions when listening to them talk in interviews. Just go back if you can find early interviews then compare that with latest "American Idol" episodes.
Tonight it happened again at the 2012 Grammy awards when Adam Levine along with his band MAROON 5 played a tribute to THE BEACH BOYS with a medley in conjunction with FOSTER THE PEOPLE. Levine who is a judge on "The Voice" could not cut it and if the audience was seated in the big chair with their backs to him no one would have turned around. It was sad that the lead singer of the Grammy recipient for new artist in 2005 who has the ability to hit high pitch notes was unable to replicate the lead vocals of the BEACH BOYS hit "Little Surfer."
The stunning part which also made it even worse for Levine is that Mark Foster whose band FOSTER THE PEOPLE was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Alternative Album did not win in either category. Still, Foster showed every one why he should have won by blowing every viewer away whether in person or as part of the television audience with his version of THE BEACH BOYS hit "Wouldn't it be nice" from their 1966 smash album Pet Sounds.
Only one big album under their belt and Mark Foster along with his band-mates proved they have what it takes to stay in the game for some time into the future. Will their excessive touring put them in the same place subsequent years down the line. Only time will tell but until that time comes into fruition we can only anticipate what they will bring to the table for their next release.