The Americana and roots music authority
Great Musician, Terrible Person
Seems Ryan Adams had a bit of tiff with Neil Finn at a recent BBC 4 Songwriter showcase. Mr. Adams has a reputation for being a bit immature. You can google the salacious details. Suffice to say that Mr. Adams was annoyed and chose not to sing with Mr. Finn. Mr. Finn called him out. Minor drama ensued.
In theory, it is all about the music. But, personality is part of the music. Of course, I don't know anything about a performer personally, so it's my own perception. Johnny Cash was the man in black. Dwight Yoakam is that mysterious skinny cowboy in tight pants. Waylon Jennings is an outlaw. As much as I hate to admit it, I root for certain musicians because I like their personality (Jamey Johnson and Ryan Bingham come to mind).
Occasionally, however, there is a performer whose music is very good, but his persona turns me off. Maybe Ryan Adams fits that. Ted Nugent, Jim Morrison, and David Allen Coe might also fit (depending on how you feel about the music). It feels a bit tiny bopper to judge on personality. But I can't shake my belief that it does affect the perception of the music.
What musician do you respect because of the musical talent but dislike because of a bad personality?
Tags: BBC, Finn, Neil, adams, musician, personality, ryan
Views: 3040
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on -
All a storm in a tea cup...in the same series we had Donovan, Buffy St Marie & Roger Cook together with Donovan announcing the show modestly as 'three great songwriters'....
Janis Ian with Ryan Adams & Neil Finn appeared to be living off the one song!
Over the last 40 odd years Neil Young has come across as 'rather difficult' but this hasn't distratced from the music in fact his stance in the 80s was heroic it's only in his later years that people see that 'it was only about the music'.
-
Permalink Reply by steviedal on -
It was a load of bullshit hype my friend. Ryan was being a bit cheeky and Finn took the huff , like a big kid. He seemed to think Ryan wasn't showing him enough respect, by cracking a few jokes. Ryan was just being himself (pretty mildly at that) and Finn didn't seem to like it. The poor wee lamb !
-
Permalink Reply by Rick Boardman on -
Even though I suppose Frank Sinatra was a good singer, he was a real a__h___. Self-important, petty, mean, and hateful of people with my political sentiments concerning "the war."
-
Permalink Reply by Joe Ferrandino on
-
Uh...Paul Simon came to mind in a half second or so.
-
Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on
-
& David Crosby for his drug riddled years and talent that was smoked away
-
Permalink Reply by steviedal on
-
Van Morrison.
Total genius when it comes to making music.
Total arsehole of a human being.
But he's got his good points................................
-
Permalink Reply by L A Johnson on
-
Van Morrison? good points? you'll need to list them?
Bit controversial...Elvis Costello
-
Permalink Reply by RP N10 on -
But do their personal "attributes" outweigh their musical prowess in enough for you to not like them? On the whole I've found that the performers whose behaviour would make me want to dislike them are pretty crap anyway. Jackson Browne was the only one on the borderline and by the time I found out about that he'd stopped making interesting music anyway.
-
Permalink Reply by steviedal on
-
I think it depends on personal experience. I've read a lot about Van being a pain but when i've seen him he was ok so his rep doesn't put me off. Wilco on the other hand , saw them on the Being There tour , an album i loved , and Tweedy was an absolute dick , spoiled brat. Kind of put me off him a bit.
-
Permalink Reply by Rudyjeep on
-
That is exactly why I've never tried to meet any of the artists I really like. If they are A-holes, it puts you off on their music. Otis Rush always had a difficult reputation. He was sitting all alone at the bar after a show I saw in NYC. My buddy went up to say hi but I didn't want to. He was actually very gracious to him but I didn't want to take the chance. I'd rather live in a world where I enjoy their music and Tweedy isn't a conceited prick, Dylan loves and appreciates his audience and Chuck Berry delivers gifts to children in hospitals at Christmas.
-
Permalink Reply by Rick Boardman on
-
Chuck Berry may be nice to kids but he also spies on women in their restroom! I'd have to deduct a point or two for that.
© 2012 Created by No Depression.
Badges | ND Terms Of Use | ND Privacy Policy | Report an Issue | Terms of Service
