Nov 222009
Yeah, this guy is neither local nor indie. But it’s my blog, and it’s about music. Deal with it.
Adam Lambert was the guy everyone thought would sweep American Idol last year. In my opinion, he has the charisma and talent that enables him to be a superstar, the likes of which we haven’t seen in 20 years or more. He is fearless on the stage.
And theeeen he has to go and do this. (Kids…you need to go in the other room now. The grown ups need to talk for a minute.)
Lambert’s big debut was saved for the end of the American Music Awards. When he started dragging that woman around by the heel…I could pass that off as theatrical. Typical Adam Lambert showmanship.
When he started whipping those guys dressed in leather straps, like they were sled dogs, that was questionable.
When he shoved that male dancer’s face into his you-know-where…I turned it off. And apparently it got even worse after that.
And just so we’re clear–my offense has nothing to do with his being gay. Gay people ought to be just as embarrassed by that performance as anyone else. Some things you just don’t do on a stage on national television in front of everyone. Some things you don’t even pretend to do. That goes for gay people as well as straight. I’d be just as offended if a straight person did stuff like that. This isn’t about what gender you’re attracted to, or what you like to do in private. That’s a different conversation for a different forum. This is about decency and honor in the public setting. Shock value alone is not an end unto itself.
And the tragic thing is–this guy is talented enough to stand there and sing with no bells or whistles, not moving anything but his mouth…and make a lasting career for himself. I could almost understand the shocking behavior if he had nothing else to bring. But that kind of thing is for the Paris Hiltons of this world–not the Adam Lamberts. This guy can bring it without all the other stuff attached to it.
Adam Lambert has apparently not only forgotten this–he has deliberately crossed the line. Look, I was a fan. (Yes–I said “was.”) I was pulling for this guy. I didn’t want to have to turn it off. I wanted to hear him sing and knock it out of the park. I’m not interested in his sexual preferences; I like him for his voice and his stage presence. But I just could not stomach what I saw.
I know people will defend him. I know people will say he’s just being who he is. I know people will use words like “hater” and “bigot” to try and silence people who just want to not vomit after watching television. My response? I am a musician, and a performer. I am a sexual being, also. Just because I don’t display that on a stage does not mean I’m not being who I am. It just means there are some parts of my life that are none of your damn business. And parts of your life are none of mine. That’s why we still close the door when we go to the bathroom–and I hope we never degrade ourselves to the point that we stop doing that. 
Keeping some things private doesn’t deny our humanity or our identity; in fact, it affirms who we are, and what we ought to be as humans. It just shows respect to the others around you, and to your audience, not to subject them to that kind of stuff.
Keeping some things private doesn’t deny our humanity or our identity; in fact, it affirms who we are, and what we ought to be as humans. It just shows respect to the others around you, and to your audience, not to subject them to that kind of stuff.
Will Adam Lambert get away with it? The jury is still out. Lots of buzz on the web says people really didn’t like what he did. But I won’t be buying his record–not after what I saw. If he wants me back as a fan, he needs to show me respect as part of his audience.