the aging rockstar: supernova or black dwarf?

music stars of the past can always be counted upon to do reunion tours and performances at awards shows to shame or acclaim. some defy the logic of "past their prime" and continue to blow us away, holding onto the same vocal or instrumental prowess today that made us love them yesterday. others, make us wish they stayed in retirement, only giving us a glimpse of the power they held over us, and making us question whether we gave into that power without thinking it through. let's take a look at some of the hits and misses of aged stars' comeback performances.

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
1978

2002


the first clip is a music video from the album Discovery (or "disco, very." to some) and the second clip is from the failed Zoom tour in 2002, where sunken ticket sales made this potentially monumental tour into a never was and a could've been. luckily, they performed their set for PBS before the whole thing tanked.
a couple key points here. Jeff Lynne's vocal prowess is clearly evident, I would argue that his voice got better with age; more control, no hiding behind vocal effects, pitch perfect on every note. pretty sick. props to anyone who can sustain the same white man fro for over 30 years.
PROGNOSIS - SUPERNOVA

THE BEE GEES
1977

1993


this track from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack only reminds me that the hair loss gods were not kind to the Brothers Gibb. it's fair to say that the Gibbs' mother "started the joke" on this one, Robin taking the shortest straw in hereditary baldness, which is the saddest since he had the longest golden locks. but aside from the punishments of aging, their vocal skills have gone down the tubes. but one must concede that singing falsetto vocals is something one can't sustain over decades. you only have to look at other falsetto masters (brian wilson/beach boys, frankie valli/four seasons) to see that they never last long. the only other thing that disturbs me is the backing band, which sounds more like asian karoake than a 70's funk/disco combo. The BeeGees, even with 6 #1 hits in a row, haven't stayed alive since.
PROGNOSIS - BLACK HOLE


more to be added this weekend..