Why the camera zoomed in on the guy
with the shirt with the words “HIV Positive” on it is a mystery, but the Hollywood
of today is full of bizarre and twisted characters from the underworld who have
their own agendas. The Grammy tribute to
the coming of the Beatles to America 50 years ago in 1964 was a flop at best
even though its lineup included the last two remaining Beatles, Ringo and
Paul. Still, I watched and hoped for
more because I was a teenager in 1964 and saw their first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Things have come a long way since I Want to Hold Your Hand.
The show’s producers would have
served their national audience better by retaining some of the simplicity and
innocence characteristic of the event 50 years ago. (The Grammy people could have at least held
the event in the Ed Sullivan Theater.) The Cirque du Soleil Mary Poppins figures complete
with umbrellas and airborne summersaulting by wire was too much. The close-ups of Paul’s beckoning glances to
Ringo looked boiler-plate like Ringo waving his arms to elicit
audience participation when he sang Yellow
Submarine. Paul’s tired eyes looked like
those of an old man. Show business
catches up with you. It was hard to
watch people in their 70s rock and roll or as Bo Diddley said in one of his
songs . . . “too old to rock.”
The Grammy people could have joined
forces with PBS and TJ Lubinsky to produce a believable tribute. PBS’ Doo Wop and Malt Shop specials prove the
point. They are respectful because they
capture the generational relationship between the musicians and the real
audience that gave them fame. It was
personal and despite what you see on TV disguised as authentic recreations,
Hollywood just can’t do it, no matter how hard they try. No one is as perfect as those who put on all
that makeup and dressed up in nice clothing. Real girls didn’t look like prostitutes in
those days nor could boys or girls dance that well. Besides, in 1964 there was spontaneity about the
music – its rhythm and melody. The songs
had a good beat and you could dance to them.
That’s what the kids on American
Bandstand said. What happened in
1964 was special and you can’t bottle it.
