I think it’s hilarious that I recent had a poll here on the blog about whether or not singer, Adam Lambert was gay and makes it official this week via Rolling Stone magazine that he is indeed a gay man. Okay. It just seems to be like that would’ve been something to share once you have some chart-topping hits. I mean, Adam can say that he didn’t want do “the Clay Aiken thing and celebrity magazine bullsh–” (via MTV.com), but say what you want to about Clay Aiken (and many have), but with all that you say, make sure that you also say his debut CD, Measure of a Man, debuted at #1 and sold over 600,000 in the first week. Sam Sparro has had UK chart success and critical acclaim here in the US (including a 2009 Grammy nomination) as well become he publicly came out of a gay man. You’re still singing “Black and Gold” though, and hearing the song on the radio.
In fact, Melissa Etheridge, George Michael, Elton John, and Tracy Chapman are artists we can all point to that have made recognizable popular US music contributions before coming out. The question is, what we will be the “track” record of an artist who comes out in the front, or start, of their career? Will that artist be able to sing songs that have universal appeal without heat from the “keep it real” crowd among gay and straight music lovers? You may say that the pressure is off of him because he doesn’t have to feel as if he’s let fans down later on. I say the pressure could be just building because along with all the other hills he’ll have to climb (new artist, American Idol runner-up, debut CD), he’ll have to deal whether he’s a gay artist, meaning songs specifically for that audience–if its large enough) or a vocalist who happens to be gay. Musicians have enough to deal with in interpreting their music and marketing it to the masses. Will the identity politics hamper his first stand along musical efforts?
Plus, let’s look at the gay American Idol track record and see who’s continued to grab headlines for more than gossip. R.J. Helton was a Season 1 Idol finalist, made a Christian CD in 2004 that sold about 20,000 copies (h/t People Magazine), then came out in 2006. Where are his songs now, on any chart? In the same season, Jim Verraros, came out and him made music and films, however can you name any of those songs being played on a mainstream radio anywhere? Didn’t think so.
So, the million dollar question will be whether his original music post Idol will stand become songs that can reach into a broader audience with a unique style. After the cameras flash, we will see.
Related posts:
I’ve heard Lambert’s pre-Idol recordings and they were nothing special. A lot of monotonous dance tracks and some post-punk garage band crap. The Idol Machine really seems to be pushing him, so I can see them hooking him up with good producers who can get him a few club hits. Whether Top 40 radio will care depends on how much promotional money RCA allows him. If they want to prove something, he’ll have a few hits thanks to them. I don’t see him outselling Aiken, tho. So far, only Underwood & Clarkson have been able to do that.
In SOME ways thinking has taken a steep backwards.
“Back in the day”, Johnny Mathas, was the artist of choice for the last dance, he sang the most romatic songs ever, he was gay, everyone knew that (rummors everywhere) no one asked and no one cared. No one said, “keep it real”.
Todays mind set, Sean Penn plays a gay man, It was called “acting”. BUT if a Gay artist dares to sing a gender straight song, the out cry is “keep it real”?
IF we had evolved, no one would be asked, no one would be told to “keep it real”.
@Matt Thanks for the feedback. We’ll see what happens.
@Jake It’s a double standard that still exists for us. We, in the black gay circle, “knew” about Luther Vandross. In fact, it’s still believe my many of us that his death was caused indirectly from not being true to his personal self. However, it’s the price that some artists pay for their fame. I want to believe that we will have that out artist whose songs will move everyone. I really do.