| Glib Text |
24 February 2003
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The Grammys: Your Grandmother's Music
New York City hosted the Grammys this year, and the only good that came of it appears to be a slight boost in the local economy. Musically, the Grammys did nothing to change their image as the award for has-beens, and indeed, the organizers found new ways to embarrass themselves.
Putting aside the phone calls made to various artists asking them not to use their time on stage to protest the war-fever that grips most of the nation, the Grammys ceremony ignored most of the winners (bluegrass, gospel, spoken word, etc., were not telecast because they aren't commercial enough for TV). Also, safe, corporate soft music won out over innovation in virtually every category.
Saddest of all was a tribute to the Clash in the wake Joe Stummer's death. "London Calling" is a true rock anthem, and Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steve Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen belted it out with no small passion -- in Grohl's case, it was even done with a sense of awed respect. But check the history books. Number of appearances on the Grammys by the Clash: 0. Number of Grammys won by the Clash: 0. Number of Grammy nominations for the Clash: 0.
One hopes that Eminem's Grammy doesn't mean that his career is on the downslope, but history suggests that he's on his way to becoming Vanilla Ice.