Okay, I Admit It, I'm Old

I've always watched entertainment awards shows: Oscars, Tonys, Golden Globes, Emmys, People's Choice, Grammys. I used to know more about the winners and losers.

But last night's Grammys put me over the edge. I don't pay attention to all the current artists like I did once upon a time but I keep up. Back in the day, I went to 3-4 concerts a month. It's a miracle that I'm not deaf. I even got backstage with the tour manager and partied with Jethro Tull not that many years ago. Okay, it was 22 years ago but it seems like yesterday. I still love rock and roll; can still identify dozens of songs by the first couple notes and still know full lyrics of many, many songs.

I don't only listen to old stuff. I listen to the tamer new music out there now but I still listen. But last night's Grammys, what the hell was that? Are they trying to out-weird each other? Whatever happened to musicians showing off their musical talent? I admit I didn't watch all of it, I couldn't. I was bouncing around with the clicker because there were some acts I wanted to see, but I just couldn't stand it long enough to wait.

I watched the opening number with Lady Gaga. I still don't get her. I've seen her a few times but last night I saw way more of her than I cared to. I'm still a huge fan of Elton John and enjoyed hearing them together but what WAS that set all about? For me, she's better to listen to and not have to watch. Maybe if I was a guy. I'm sure many watching were hoping for a boob to pop out or a spin to see the naked butt.

And Pink. Another strange performance. When she came on I knew the robe was going away at some point but, holy crap, she looked like she was dressed in the strapping they use for shipping crates. And the whole Cirque du Soleil thing and the water. Wha? Is is only me or does anyone else feel distracted from the music by those elaborate sets and theatrics?

As much as I enjoy the vocals, I like to watch the musicians PLAY. I wonder who can actually play an instrument today......as in a guitar? There are some great piano players but that's about it.

If I could just go back to Ozzy and Black Sabbath or Alice Cooper, I'd be happy. As wild as they seemed back then, and they'd be pretty tame by today's standards, at least they were about the music. That's what I was there for.