Back in the 80's when I was in high school and college I fancied myself the Queen of Alternative Music.
When everyone else was rockin' out to Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Ozzy, Poison, and Whitesnake... I was pondering the meaning of life with my favorite RECORD collection (and cassette tapes)... wearing black, and hanging out with dudes who wore eyeliner.I was into The Cure, Erasure, Bauhaus, The Smiths, New Order, R.E.M., and U2.
I should also admit that in the 80's I was also a big fan of Prince, Wham! and Duran Duran, but in the "cool crowds" I never would admit that.
So it deeply saddens me upon reading this post this morning:
Hilary Duff bastardizes Depeche Mode
Have my 80's idols actually SOLD OUT to a tween queen with a manufactured persona and voice?
Say it ain't so.
I knew there would come a day when my music became "the oldies" (like 50's and 60's music are to my parents), but I am not ready to hear it. I know that music "sampling" is a cool thing to do nowadays- take an old song and introduce it to the young people as new.
The problem: the audience doesn't know the original song, and ends up mistaking the new song as NEW. Therefore, never fully appreciating how GOOD the original is.
I know there has got to be readers to my blog that have no clue who Depeche Mode is, but sure as hell know Hilary Duff. And to them, I say... you missed a lifetime of great music in the 80's. Go forth and download all of the above groups I mentioned to your iPod and experience what being "cool" was all about.
Next thing you know Britney Spears will be covering "Purple Rain" on her comeback tour.
Speaking of which, "Purple Rain" was far and above one of the best albums ever released. E-V-E-R.
Show Prince some love, and tell me you loved it too.
