Jump to content

Musicians And Moral Responsibility - Is There A Need For The Greater Good ??


Lucas
 Share

Recommended Posts

There is no single question here .. I have been thinking about this for a while now, but with the news of the fire that put the nail in Le Studio's coffin, the wheels started turning even more ..

 

By all accounts, John Lennon was singled out and tormented by the FBI because of his political activism and anti-war beliefs .. To my knowledge, Mr Lennon was not so much a backer of any one political candidate, but a vocal and passionate musician with his own beliefs ..

 

John Lennon's place in music history is undeniable, but his personal commitment to what he felt was just, and the changes he tried to promote, made his time here all the more important and worthwhile ..

 

Musicians owe nothing to the greater good, and are under no obligation to do so ... But is there a moral issue here ??

 

I don't mean, for example, backing a political candidate - which, in essence, is simply allowing someone else to speak for you while you get some PR ( which can be the intent all along )

 

I am talking about looking outward and leaving your mark in this world beyond hoarding thousands of bottles of wine or ending your life in suicide because seemed like the only action left for you ..

 

Again, musicians - like anyone else - are under no obligation .. The difference being musicians have a platform to reach a lot of people, and some musicians have what can be considered most important - time ...

 

On a related note: perhaps some of the lackluster interest in music these days - and the sparse output of great albums and interesting music - can be traced back to the lack of commitment, on both the musician's end and the fans end ...

 

There is a sad trend towards this world of ours becoming a disposable society .. An unfortunate tunnel vision in which we are atrophying from creators and activists to morose, self pitying victims ..

 

No member of Rush was under any obligation to put a dust mask on and go to Le Studio, even if for a few hours to raise some awareness or funds .. Just as any person would be no under obligation to help the 80+ year old couple with the flat tire in a parking lot ..

 

Unfortunately sometimes, the situation calls for a man, and there are none to be found

 

 

.

 

.

Edited by Lucas
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We can walk out road together, if our goals are all the same, etc.

 

Whatever they feel is appropriate is OK with me.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are free to live their life as the see fit as we all are. A better question, to me, is how we have individuals controlling billions of dollars and others living in complete poverty? Even those that do something to help make little difference in the big picture. Just shows how imperfect the world we've built is.

 

The interesting thing about the government and Lennon (and other counterculture types) is that they did exactly what the government feared would happen; usher in a new era that overthrew "normal and conventional" behavior and weaken the power of the existing ruling group.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, I find it annoying when musicians use their fame as a platform to spread their own beliefs. However a charitable cause is a much different thing, but that is a choice. When society looks to muscians for leadership and action, we have a problem as a whole. The same with athletes. None of these should be viewed as role models, imo. Some of them will naturally become activists as their personaliites would have led them there famous or not. The scary part is millions will listen to them just because of their fame. Many wont consider whether what they are saying is even factual or intelligent.

 

 

Im not even sure if that makes sense

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Simmons sponsors more than 1500 kids, and urges others to get involved as well: “I had to do this because children are our future. The next great mind or humanitarian could come from Africa. Because children are our responsibility, I urge you to do something. Pick up the phone and call Child Fund, or another charity organization and find out what you can do. You will make all the difference to a child far, far away — whose dreams are every bit as important as your child’s dreams.”

 

Simmons has been involved with many other charitable causes as well. Earlier this year he flew to Las Vegas and visited a critically ill 17 year old fan who wanted to meet him. The boy passed away a couple of days later.

 

 

http://loudwire.com/kiss-gene-simmons-brings-african-foster-son-u-s-surgery/

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My view is that if an artist/sportperson wants to get involved with humanitarian causes, good for him, as he can raise awareness to a much larger audience than the average person. And donating money of course helps. But doing it as an obligation or as a publicity stunt is just wrong. Ayrton Senna, the late Brazilian F1 pilot, for example, contributed to several causes, but this was not revealed until after his death.

 

When it comes to political views, however, I'm generally against artists getting involved. A lot of people are influenced by that because they're fans, not because they agree with a political stance. So it gets distorted.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Simmons sponsors more than 1500 kids, and urges others to get involved as well: “I had to do this because children are our future. The next great mind or humanitarian could come from Africa. Because children are our responsibility, I urge you to do something. Pick up the phone and call Child Fund, or another charity organization and find out what you can do. You will make all the difference to a child far, far away — whose dreams are every bit as important as your child’s dreams.”

 

Simmons has been involved with many other charitable causes as well. Earlier this year he flew to Las Vegas and visited a critically ill 17 year old fan who wanted to meet him. The boy passed away a couple of days later.

 

 

http://loudwire.com/kiss-gene-simmons-brings-african-foster-son-u-s-surgery/

 

It is my opionion that often celebrities are not what they seem. Gene comes off poorly at times but i do remember seeing that story, say what you will but i believe he has q big heart for fans like this. Others may seem like great people in public , but perhaps they are not.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Standing on the outside and judging the quality of a celebrity is dangerous business, since not one of us knows anything about what they really do. As to their relative obligation, that's trickier.

 

If I were a wealthy celebrity, I would still be me. I can't do public speaking, and people exhaust me. I might seem to be the guy who spurns people, but I'd actually be a guy who'd chat for a hour with a fan on the street person to person. I also could never be have 100's of millions, because the very notion offends me. I'd absolutely give it away. But I'd want control over how I gave it away. I'd never make a wealthiest list because I'd never have the money long enough. But I also won't sit here and tell you I'd live like I do now. My house would be pretty nice, and paid off. I don't care about cars so I'd have something simple, but I'd have a huge record collection and damn nice equipment to play it on.

 

As to politics, I'd be vocal, constantly. Because I'd still be me, and I already am. I certainly won't throw away my right to be a passionate lefty just because I'm an artist. And I think any artist with an opinion should share it. But I don't think they are obligated to. You can't make someone care. I do think that if you share your opinions, doing so without ridiculing others is better than ranting about 'idiots'.

 

If you actually care about your opinion and want to convince people, kicking them doesn't work. Ever.

 

Philosophically I think I am bound to commit to the greater good. I'm not adequate to judge if someone else meets that obligation, and I'm not comfortable saying they should meet it. I will say that my opinion of someone is enhanced when they stand on their tolerant, egalitarian principles, and my opinion is reduced when they promote the opposite. So while I won't say they are obligated, I will say that their behavior will still affect my opinion. It's important to note that a person might be among the most giving and we might never know. Like me, some people don't want the attention.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I stated in another post...

 

I went to a Jethro Tull concert a few years ago and during the intermission Ian talked about prostate cancer. Given the average age of the audience, it went over very well. He had a little 'play' to get his point across and how easy it is to get tested.

 

Bravo Ian !!!

 

As far as political views. As DEVO said "Freedom Of Choice, is what you've got". You don't agree with the performers view, don't go. Easy.

 

Can't wait to see Roger Waters next month.... :sundog:

Edited by custom55
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...