Richard Roeper
Black fans of 'white' music find it's a lonely bridge

November 21, 2005

BY RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST


"African-American artists from Stevie Wonder to Prince to 50 Cent have huge crossover appeal, but . . . white acts, from the Beach Boys to Led Zeppelin to Bruce Springsteen . . . never seem to cross that bridge."

"Surely . . . there must have been some people of color at either the U2 or Bon Jovi concerts. . . . There must be some minorities who have 'Have a Nice Day' and 'Where the Streets Have No Name' on their iPods."

--From my column of Nov. 7.

I used to think there were maybe 14 or 15 nonwhite fans of U2 and/or Bon Jovi -- but there are at least 137, based on the e-mails and calls I received after my item about the overwhelmingly white crowds at the U2 and Bon Jovi concerts in Chicago this year.

Paul Hollins, 39, told me, "I laughed out loud when I read your column. I am a black male who happens to have 'Have a Nice Day' on my iPod. It is kind of weird for me going to certain concerts and feeling like I am the only black person there. [Recently] I drove out to Joliet to see Olivia Newton-John."

Wow. How did you get there? Did you have to make a right turn at 1975?

***

"Plenty of black people my age (26) probably have a bit of U2, a little Bon Jovi, some Nirvana and a large smattering of Coldplay somewhere in their collection," wrote Sarita Townsend. "But I know what you mean about the whiteness of [certain] concerts. I went to see Oasis this summer at UIC and I was totally surprised to see that I was the ONLY black person in the building."

Pier de Lourdes Frost, a married African-American mother of four from Evanston, provided some insight about why minority fans of white groups might not attend concerts.

"I listen to Bon Jovi as well as U2. I not only have their music blasting out of my minivan, I also own a couple of their CDs. But I wouldn't be caught dead at one of their concerts.

"I would really, really, really love to go. I would also love to see my boys Staind, Linkin Park, Green Day, Disturbed, Nickelback, Korn, or even Metallica. I'm truly a Rocker Babe. But I don't think I'd feel very comfortable in that sea of whiteness you described. Truth is, I'm not altogether certain that I would be entirely welcomed or safe at some of those venues."

I'd like to think that we'd all be united by our shared fandom of an artist and we wouldn't care if the person next to us jamming to "Vertigo" was white, black or green. (Well, maybe green would be a bit unsettling.) But I did hear from a handful of minorities who said they've been verbally abused at rock concerts -- and some whites who experienced similar treatment at hip-hop shows. I don't believe this happens often -- but of course it should never happen. If you're at a U2 concert and you have a problem with someone's race, you're really not listening to Bono at all, are you?

***

A Chicagoan who asked that I not use his name wrote, "I'm an African American and I'm an 'old school' rocker who cut his teeth back in the day going to concerts like Wishbone Ash, Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep, Frampton's Camel Slade, Black Oak Arkansas, T-Rex and Grand Funk Railroad. I continue to go to rock concerts now to see groups like Cheap Trick, King's X, Stones, Clapton and Aerosmith. Of the hundreds of rock concerts I've been to throughout my years, I never had any problems with the white patrons in attendance -- but when I go to see a blues band in the clubs on the North Side or downtown Chicago, the white patrons look at ME like I'm out of place!"

That's because privileged white people feel the blues, my brother. When you're trying to get to the blues club and you're driving around and you can't find a parking space for the Porsche Cayenne -- hard times.

***

"I was at the Bon Jovi concert you attended, amidst the sea of white!" says Nathalynne McGinnis. "I scoured the audience searching for another black face in the crowd, other than my date. None were to be found, except a few security guys. Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed the energy of the crowd and the music."

I like the philosophy of Desmond Dozier of Lincoln Park, who wrote: "I am a 34-year-old black man and I am a HUGE fan of U2. I was at the United Center for their shows on May 10 and Sept. 20. I have been always attracted to music that moves me in some way and I for one can never get enough of Bono's 'preaching.'

"I have never understood why it is more socially acceptable for whites to be fans of 'black music' than it is for a black person to be a fan of so called 'white music.' It is a shame that many black people seem to close their minds to music that is made by whites, and it is ironic because rock 'n' roll would not even exist without the influence of musicians like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. So in a sense, rock music is black music."

"A U2 concert is all about enjoying yourself and the music. Whether you are black, white, yellow or whatever all that matters is that you had a good time."

Encore.

Funny people are still like this nowdays. I remember friends of mine (black) going to see bands like INXS back in the 80s, or jamming to Neil Young, was never a problem. It would be kind of hypocritical for someone to be a fan of U2 then turn around and snub or assult someone because of their skin color.

My friends tease me about my music tastes since they are all R&B/ Hip- Hop heads, but its all in good fun. They figure it all goes along with "the Prince thing" (what ever that means?)

It was so cool a couple nights ago when my 2 best friends started headbanging to The Downward Spiral (NIN) I wish they would seriously give other types of music a try though. That would be fun

About 90% of the shows I attend have a predominantly white audience and I've never had any problems ever. Every show I've been to has at least a few other black people in the audience. Even at a concert by a band like Type O Negative, I won't be the only person of color there, but that may be because I'm in New York City which is very diverse. I've posted before that the only show I went to where I kind of felt out of place was the Regina Spektor concert this year. She's a Russian/Jewish pianist so that type of music might not crossover well into the hood.

I used to have some reservations about going to certain shows because I knew I would be the only black person in the crowd. Then I got over that concern. Once you meet other fans and develop a comradere, or if you attend show with somebody who appreciates the music, then it ends up not being such a big deal. Sometimes I do a "black count" at shows just to see if more of us are coming out. I've never had any bad experiences at shows, and I've seen artists ranging from Third Eye Blind, John Mayer, Audioslave, Duran Duran, and U2. My issue has always been finding the right people to go with. I got tired of begging and dragging friends (of different backgrounds) who didn't really like the artists. I'd rather go with other fans. Luckily I have an open-minded boyfiend who loves a wide variety of music, so he's been my primary concert date this year. Like in the article and and what others have stated, I never quite understood the big deal in liking different ethnic artists or styles. If it sounds good or speaks to you, that's all that should matter.

I've never had any problems being one of a few black faces in an audience, except for maybe a few hardcore shows back in the day. But that was an aggressive scene, anyway. Other than that It hasnt been an issue. I remember when I was a kid, my parents wouldnt let me check out a Kiss show(Dynasty tour)because it may not have been a safe thing to do. Looking back, maybe they were right. ( I was 9 at the time)
[Edited 11/21/05 12:26pm]

I tink everyone should see a U2 and a Patti labelle show in their lifetime.

This article speaks a lot to me.

I always remember Altamont/Rolling Stones 1969 Meridith Hunter tragedy. I must admit I had reservations going to see them, this Altamont event always lingering in my mind. But that was also with a hells angels security, but the Stones crowd also booed Prince off the stage. Thank goodness we have come a long ways since the 60's and even the 80's.

Man i can relate 200 percent to this topic!!

im definetely in this category coming from where im from.

i'm a white guy who goes to blues clubs in chicago. i don't have a porcshe cayenne. i don't have a car at all. heck, i barely have a bank account.

maybe this columnist only writes from personal experience?

As a black person, and at the risk offending anyone here, I just have to say that black folks are just way too conservative, close-minded and for lack of a better word limited. That's what it boils down to.

well me i'll go to any concert if i have the money to go...btw i'm black...i

listen to music that sounds good to me...hell ill even go to the concert where

those guys and gals only move there feet when they tap dance in all black...but

my friends and family look at me like i am crazy when i say i like that stuff

but anyway ain to crazy about the stuff that white people put out nowadays

but hell i ain to crazy about the stuff black people got out eitha...but give

me the music from the 70's and 80's black,white,or whatever and i'm straight...

I can totally relate to the article. I went and saw U2 with my friend earlier this year. While I was there, I observed the crowd and I could count with one hand maybe two the number of black people who I saw at the arena, including myself. It was weird but I didn't feel out of place there. We were all there to see a great band kick ass and that's just what they did. It would be nice if more of us were more open to a wider array of music than we are but it's all good. Many of us are already open and it's great. Just look at this site.

CynicKill said:

It's funny you say that. I'm Black, and I'm into a lot of different types of music (I can dig Merle Haggard to Jimmy Smith to Sly Stone to Led Zep ). I used to work with this other Black dude, who would always say, 'Why do you listen to those types of music. Black people should listen to R&B and Hip-Hop." In fact, he had a whole list of things ne believed Blacks should or shouldn't like , ranging from food to clothes to politics to women . I would then say to him "Why do you want to limit your life ? Do whatever YOU want, and fuck everybody else who doesn't like it. Think for yourself !"

I've been to tons of concerts where I was one of the few Blacks there, and I've never seen or heard any type of racially related incidents. I've seen a lot of fights and shit, but that's because the people were drunk or stupid, not racist per se.

One of the most interesting concert experiences was in Central Park New York in the late 1990s. They have SummerStage, which are weekend free concerts, with a wide variety of acts. this show was a Blues day featuring Joe Louis Walker, Elvis' guitar player Scotty Moore, and Ike Turner (!). My then girlfriend/now wife is White. She and i both couldn't help but notice the same thing: the audience was filled with Interracial couples. I mean, tons of them , My wife wondered why it would be so obviously prevelant at this show, the only thing I could think of was that this type of music is so "out of the mainstream" that the people attracted to it would naturally be a bit adventurous, and probably that way in their personal life as well

I am a African American female. I admit I dont listnen to a lot of Rock n roll.I listnen to some like Linkin Park,and 3 doors down. I dont think its any thing wrong for blacks to listen to rock ,country rap or whatever music genre they feel like listening too.People can be closed minded at times. I wii listen to what ever I think sound good regardless to what music genre it is. People fail to realize everyone is has diffrent taste in music. Music is a universal language.

Been there, done that also.

Personally, i've been a free-spirit child of the 60s, especially where music is concerned.
It's always been, always will be, just a simple question of colorless good or bad.
Sometimes not so good and not so bad, but always color had no bearing.

Any self-imposed myopia (by all races) seems quite silly and tragic.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

I always wonder what the Black security guards at rock venues are thinking. I wonder if they ever think the music is any good? Sextonseven, I've seen Typo in NYC, so I mighta have been one of the people of color you've seen, esp if you want to metal shows from 94 on.

I took my dad to a Crue show in Long Island and there was problems, N-bombs and the such.

We talked about Lamour's a few months ago , never had a problem there, though I knew a few people, it's not really safe if some shit goes down though.

lilgish said:

All the times I've seen Type O Negative have been in Manhattan. One time they played at Lamour's in Brooklyn and I didn't go because that place is a little too close to Bensonhurst. I can understand Long Island not being as tolerant also.

I wonder if white people have the same concerns when Morrissey plays at the Apollo.

sextonseven said:

I've also seen typo at Roseland. Moz in Harlem, he probably does it on purpose

sextonseven said:

That's true. Having lived and worked on Long Island, it's full of prejudiced folks. Sh!t, just ask Mariah Carey.

lilgish said:

Did you see Type O when they headlined with Coal Chamber at Roseland? I was at that show.

sextonseven said:

Coal Chamber, they had that stupid Song Big Truck

I saw Typo open for Megadeth at Roseland.

Since you like Typo, what about the band Life of Agony?
[Edited 11/21/05 20:10pm]

It's sad that many use music as nothing more than a label or a brand.

I've listened to rock since the days of Hendrix, the Beatles & the Stones. My favorites are bands from the early 90's(Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana). Since rock came from the blues, I never considered it 'white' music. Never been to a concert though.

This being a Prince site I don't think there's going to be a big variety of responses to a topic like this. Hard to find musically closed-minded folks on a site devoted to a guy who attracts fans of all races, religions, and sexual orientations.

Mazerati said:

WTF does he think gonna happen at Bon Jovi show.

lilgish said:

Nah, I don't go that far back. I've only seen Type O headline their own shows, not open for anyone else. Coal Chamber's second album was okay when they tried doing the goth thing, but it didn't sell so they went back to doing dumb nu-metal. Don't know much about Life of Agony.

I don't really go to too many metal shows. The last one may have been Nightwish/Lullacry at B.B. King's last year.

sextonseven said:

you know about the station wsou 89.5? haven't listened to them in years.

Great thread. Thanks all.