I have several.
The newest is this guy. He's traveling around the world and making a video diary on every weekday. He's just starting out, but his entries so far have been insightful and well-produced (he uses clever angles and his sound editing is fantastic). He's got a satellite modem so he can upload from pretty much anywhere in the world (including, already, the middle of the Atlantic ocean).
I am both significantly impressed and insanely jealous.
He's also a living testament to my theory that -- with a few rare exceptions -- you don't really begin to produce anything of significance before the age of 27. That gives me 2 more years to get my act together...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
"with a few rare exceptions -- you don't really begin to produce anything of significance before the age of 27."
Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison 4 of the most influential people in rock music produced their entire lives by 27. Biggie and Pac were 24 and 25, Sid Vicious, Buddy Holly, Nick Drake, Bradley Nowell (died @ 28 but his music was made before then) were all under 27. These are musicians who produced enough to alter the course of music permanently in a LIFE was LESS than 27 years in length. I don't think your theory can be applied to music... or to my mom because she produced me when she was 26.
Ok, but how many MORE influential musicians have lived PAST the age of 27. Also, is it possible that the weight of the contribution of these folks is skewed by the fact that, by virtue of their death, they couldn't produce anything else after 27? I would argue so.
The same argument could be made in the film industry -- sure there are the Kevin Smith's and Sofia Coppola's and Richard Kelly's, but they are the exception, not the rule.
I'm not trying to downplay the importance of these folks, I'm just sticking to my conviction that it's rare...the '27 theory' is something I've been developing for a long time...it's not rock solid, but it seems to me that, in our culture, it generally takes at least 27 years (if not more) of experience before people are really comfortable/confident enough to do something great. Again, I have no empirical evidence for this, it's simply an observation....
The following is a list of some of the most influential rock albums of all time as listed by rolling stone and myself, with the people dead at 27 removed. These people all proceeded to release more music but these works are what they will be remembered for most.
The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely.... - all members 27 or under
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds - Brian Wilson 26 yrs.
Michael Jackson - Thriller - MJ - 24 yrs.
The Clash - London Calling - Joe Strummer -27 yrs. Mick Jones - 24yrs.
Stevie Wonder - Inversions - Stevie Wonder - 23 yrs.
Led Zepplin - Led Zepplin- All members 25 or newer
The Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen - Johnny Rotten 21 yrs.
Nirvana - All Major Albums - Dave Grohl - Under 27 yrs for all of Nirvana's life.
Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield - Neil Young 21yrs.
Neil Young - Harvest - Neil 27 yrs.
Crosby, Still, Nash and Young - De ja Vu - Still & Young <27yrs.
Rage Against the Machine - RATM, Evil Empire - Zach <27yrs.
Silverchair - Frog Stomp - all memebers in their teens
Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill - all members <27yrs.
NWA - Straight outta Compton - all <27yrs.
Wu-Tang Clan - 36 Chambers - all <27 yrs.
Hayden - Everything I long for, The Closer I get - Hayden <27 yrs.
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream + Mellon Collie & .... - Written & recorded before Billy Corgan was 27
CCR - All albums - John Fogerty < 27 yrs.
Josh Groban- everything until next year - he's 26 right now
Metallica - ...and justice for all, Ride the Lightening, Kill 'em all, Master of Puppets - all members <27 yrs.
Tim Hardin - TIm Hardin 1 - 25 yrs.
Bob Dylan - Times they are a changin' and Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits - along with more released before he was 27
Beck - Mellow Gold - Bek was 24
RUN DMC - Raising Hell + King of Rock - all members <27yrs.
The Rolling Stones - at least 11 albums before they were 27 years old
In regards to the influence of the '27 club' members being "skewed" because of death I would say no more so than any other person, an artist only makes money once their dead. Would we be reading Shakespeare in school right now if he were still alive? did they teach Shakespeare in schools while he was alive? When did Jesus gain popularity? After death. Is the vastness of his life skewed by his ealry untimely death? What if Jesus had settled down, raised a family, built some nice tables, wrote some good books on how to live life, spoke at different special events would he be viewed the same? What if Hendrix had settled down raised a family, recoded some good albums, played at some festivals would he be viewed the same?
Folks, this is why I don't argue with my roommate :P
This is also why I should not be left alone on a Saturday night ;P
I'm at home, you're the one who left!
Post a Comment