With the Grammy Awards being tonight, i began wondering... Do any of you think there will ever be a performance that completely captivates the world ever again? Performances like MJ on Motown 25, or the Beatles on ed sullivan, or Elvis on ed sullivan.. Performances that truly shake the world, and are cemented in Popular Culture?

thoughts?

(do not lock this because i mention MJ... it is a topic on iconic performances, not one specific artist.. thank you)

dm3857 said:

With the Grammy Awards being tonight, i began wondering... Do any of you think there will ever be a performance that completely captivates the world ever again? Performances like MJ on Motown 25, or the Beatles on ed sullivan, or Elvis on ed sullivan.. Performances that truly shake the world, and are cemented in Popular Culture?

thoughts?

(do not lock this because i mention MJ... it is a topic on iconic performances, not one specific artist.. thank you)

Great topic, but sad to say NO. Its got nothing to really do with talent per say, but its got to do more with HYPE of these events, if you gotta HYPE it before hand then you lose that "captivation" effect, thats not saying it cant be good, but sorry it wont be on that level again. Think of all these iconic performances, Prince on the Grammys, Prince on the AMA doing Purple Rain, The BEatles on Sullivan, Michael on Motown 25 with his brothers then doing Billie jean and the moonwalk, and so many other events, Phil Collins at Live Aid doing both shows, Freddie Mercury and Queen stealing the show when people said they were DONE. All of these not HYPED in advance, all spur of the moment, never gonna happen again. Look at the point of Beyonce, people called it the best ever performance, 2 days later no one was even talking about it.

Aretha Franklin doing 'Nessun Dorma" at the Grammys in 1998 at the last minute filling in for the ailing Luciano Pavarotti. Made more amazing that she sang it in his key and didn't get to rehearse with the classical orchestra.

lastdecember said:

dm3857 said:

With the Grammy Awards being tonight, i began wondering... Do any of you think there will ever be a performance that completely captivates the world ever again? Performances like MJ on Motown 25, or the Beatles on ed sullivan, or Elvis on ed sullivan.. Performances that truly shake the world, and are cemented in Popular Culture?

thoughts?

(do not lock this because i mention MJ... it is a topic on iconic performances, not one specific artist.. thank you)

Great topic, but sad to say NO. Its got nothing to really do with talent per say, but its got to do more with HYPE of these events, if you gotta HYPE it before hand then you lose that "captivation" effect, thats not saying it cant be good, but sorry it wont be on that level again. Think of all these iconic performances, Prince on the Grammys, Prince on the AMA doing Purple Rain, The BEatles on Sullivan, Michael on Motown 25 with his brothers then doing Billie jean and the moonwalk, and so many other events, Phil Collins at Live Aid doing both shows, Freddie Mercury and Queen stealing the show when people said they were DONE. All of these not HYPED in advance, all spur of the moment, never gonna happen again. Look at the point of Beyonce, people called it the best ever performance, 2 days later no one was even talking about it.

Agree!

EXCELLENT POST!

We will never have groundbreaking performances on that level again. It mainly has to do with how bad music has gotten. As a result, there is a lack of interest in these events and shows.

Its not really a wide range of people looking at these shows and the music does not reasonate enough with people. These events are not a big deal anymore because there is no groundbreaking music/performers that has people talking. When MJ did his Billie Jean performance that was something that HAD NOT BEEN BEFORE and not to mention Billie Jean was a good pop song. When you add a really good song that reasonates with people with a groundbreaking performance thats what you get. There was No gimmicks, No effects, No visuals, No backup dancers.. just him dancing and performing.

Alot of todays artists and these event organizers take away alot of the anticipation and mystery from these shows and performances. Just PERFORM. Why does their have to be expensive marketing and promotion for a performance? Just go out there and perform. What ends up happening is these performance never live up to their hype and leaves the public dissapointed.

There is no mystery and anticipation. That is what makes people more captivated and drawn to look at something but it first has to start somewhere it starts with the music.

One performance that got everyone excited was Ricky Martin at the Grammys in 1998(?). But that was a long time ago.

Beyonce tried and almost succeeded with her Billboard Awards performance from a few years ago, so it can happen.

I didn't watch the program whem it came on TV, but I remember people making a big deal about Ricky Martin. The media started talking about a "Latin Explosion" or something like that.

MickyDolenz said:

I didn't watch the program whem it came on TV, but I remember people making a big deal about Ricky Martin. The media started talking about a "Latin Explosion" or something like that.

But there again Ricky Martin was not HYPED whether you dug him or not, this performance was not expected, also the Prince and Beyonce one still is kinda talked about but also it was not talked about , we didnt really know what prince was going to do, no one really knew he was going to open the show

lastdecember said:

But there again Ricky Martin was not HYPED whether you dug him or not, this performance was not expected, also the Prince and Beyonce one still is kinda talked about but also it was not talked about , we didnt really know what prince was going to do, no one really knew he was going to open the show

I still haven't seen Prince & Beyonce, so don't know what they did. I did see The Police reunion, but did not watch the rest of the show, but that's because they were advertised beforehand. I haven't watched the Grammy's or AMA's since the 1980's. Award shows don't really interest me, it's just some folks getting a trophy.

Prince opening the Grammys gets talked about because of HIM specifically. That is a performance that gets talked about around Grammy time (because thats a memorable Grammy performance-) but yearly I dont hear people talk about it much on other shows or in general. Wasnt that Prince first time performing on the Grammys as well?

Can somebody define iconic?

Because how can something be iconic if nobody remembers it or does not talk about it?

Like Madonnas Like a Virgin performance on MTV, I dont particularly like it but people still talk about it,20 something years later. They also dont talk about it on MTV but just in general.

The Ricky Martin one, I was to little to even remember.

I would categorize those performances as memorable but I wouldnt say they are iconic or groundbreaking. People dont talk about them yearly or are influenced by those performances on a artistic level.

mjscarousal said:

lastdecember said:

Great topic, but sad to say NO. Its got nothing to really do with talent per say, but its got to do more with HYPE of these events, if you gotta HYPE it before hand then you lose that "captivation" effect, thats not saying it cant be good, but sorry it wont be on that level again. Think of all these iconic performances, Prince on the Grammys, Prince on the AMA doing Purple Rain, The BEatles on Sullivan, Michael on Motown 25 with his brothers then doing Billie jean and the moonwalk, and so many other events, Phil Collins at Live Aid doing both shows, Freddie Mercury and Queen stealing the show when people said they were DONE. All of these not HYPED in advance, all spur of the moment, never gonna happen again. Look at the point of Beyonce, people called it the best ever performance, 2 days later no one was even talking about it.

Agree!

EXCELLENT POST!

We will never have groundbreaking performances on that level again. It mainly has to do with how bad music has gotten. As a result, there is a lack of interest in these events and shows.

Its not really a wide range of people looking at these shows and the music does not reasonate enough with people. These events are not a big deal anymore because there is no groundbreaking music/performers that has people talking. When MJ did his Billie Jean performance that was something that HAD NOT BEEN BEFORE and not to mention Billie Jean was a good pop song. When you add a really good song that reasonates with people with a groundbreaking performance thats what you get. There was No gimmicks, No effects, No visuals, No backup dancers.. just him dancing and performing.

Alot of todays artists and these event organizers take away alot of the anticipation and mystery from these shows and performances. Just PERFORM. Why does their have to be expensive marketing and promotion for a performance? Just go out there and perform. What ends up happening is these performance never live up to their hype and leaves the public dissapointed.

There is no mystery and anticipation. That is what makes people more captivated and drawn to look at something but it first has to start somewhere it starts with the music.

mjscarousal said:

Prince opening the Grammys gets talked about because of HIM specifically. That is a performance that gets talked about around Grammy time (because thats a memorable Grammy performance-) but yearly I dont hear people talk about it much on other shows or in general. Wasnt that Prince first time performing on the Grammys as well?

Can somebody define iconic?

Because how can something be iconic if nobody remembers it or does not talk about it?

Like Madonnas Like a Virgin performance on MTV, I dont particularly like it but people still talk about it,20 something years later. They also dont talk about it on MTV but just in general.

The Ricky Martin one, I was to little to even remember.

I would categorize those performances as memorable but I wouldnt say they are iconic or groundbreaking. People dont talk about them yearly or are influenced by those performances on a artistic level.

Prince still gets talked about not in Iconic fashion but more this generation for the Grammy's it was the 20year Purple Rain anniversary, he had performed before but not since that time, it was big because he was in the Hall Of Fame going on tour and had a new record, so for a guy that was not about big appearances on TV he owned it, and it again was not a Hyped event, even his Hall of fame ending wasnt, that was totally spur of the moment, no one new that Prince was going to Jam on the George Harrison induction, not only that steal the damn Eric Claption solo and have the best RnR Hof moment to date.

FOR Iconic its tough to say TIME has to pass first of all, people talk about things way too fast, time is what gives these things their place in history. to call something from a year ago Iconic is my problem with this generation now, too quick to praise and hype.

Also ICONIC you really have to pull something off unexpected and never really done in that fashion.

mjscarousal said:

Prince opening the Grammys gets talked about because of HIM specifically. That is a performance that gets talked about around Grammy time (because thats a memorable Grammy performance-) but yearly I dont hear people talk about it much on other shows or in general. Wasnt that Prince first time performing on the Grammys as well?

Naw chile...I believe he performed at the '85 Grammys as well. I was able to snatch a copy of that from the Housequake site a few years ago and put it on DVD (along with many other Prince performances I grabbed )

But his performance in '04 was electrifying as soon as you heard the music start playing. I had chills going up my spine. Forgot all about, nor didn't even notice Beyonce.

missfee said:

mjscarousal said:

Prince opening the Grammys gets talked about because of HIM specifically. That is a performance that gets talked about around Grammy time (because thats a memorable Grammy performance-) but yearly I dont hear people talk about it much on other shows or in general. Wasnt that Prince first time performing on the Grammys as well?

Naw chile...I believe he performed at the '85 Grammys as well. I was able to snatch a copy of that from the Housequake site a few years ago and put it on DVD (along with many other Prince performances I grabbed )

But his performance in '04 was electrifying as soon as you heard the music start playing. I had chills going up my spine. Forgot all about, nor didn't even notice Beyonce.

Oh I remember it was a really great performance!!! I was in grade school, I was hella young. lPrince is a phenomenal performer. I forgot Beyonce was even there or what she did.

Damn, I wish I could have seen his 1985 one... I havent seen that one and I know its probably not on youtube, ima check.

mjscarousal said:

missfee said:

Naw chile...I believe he performed at the '85 Grammys as well. I was able to snatch a copy of that from the Housequake site a few years ago and put it on DVD (along with many other Prince performances I grabbed )

But his performance in '04 was electrifying as soon as you heard the music start playing. I had chills going up my spine. Forgot all about, nor didn't even notice Beyonce.

Oh I remember it was a really great performance!!! I was in grade school, I was hella young. lPrince is a phenomenal performer. I forgot Beyonce was even there or what she did.

Damn, I wish I could have seen his 1985 one... I havent seen that one and I know its probably not on youtube, ima check.

It's on youtube but it has a foreign title.

I know this because I got scolded when I posted it on PMAM.

Oops.

lastdecember said:

mjscarousal said:

Prince opening the Grammys gets talked about because of HIM specifically. That is a performance that gets talked about around Grammy time (because thats a memorable Grammy performance-) but yearly I dont hear people talk about it much on other shows or in general. Wasnt that Prince first time performing on the Grammys as well?

Can somebody define iconic?

Because how can something be iconic if nobody remembers it or does not talk about it?

Like Madonnas Like a Virgin performance on MTV, I dont particularly like it but people still talk about it,20 something years later. They also dont talk about it on MTV but just in general.

The Ricky Martin one, I was to little to even remember.

I would categorize those performances as memorable but I wouldnt say they are iconic or groundbreaking. People dont talk about them yearly or are influenced by those performances on a artistic level.

Prince still gets talked about not in Iconic fashion but more this generation for the Grammy's it was the 20year Purple Rain anniversary, he had performed before but not since that time, it was big because he was in the Hall Of Fame going on tour and had a new record, so for a guy that was not about big appearances on TV he owned it, and it again was not a Hyped event, even his Hall of fame ending wasnt, that was totally spur of the moment, no one new that Prince was going to Jam on the George Harrison induction, not only that steal the damn Eric Claption solo and have the best RnR Hof moment to date.

FOR Iconic its tough to say TIME has to pass first of all, people talk about things way too fast, time is what gives these things their place in history. to call something from a year ago Iconic is my problem with this generation now, too quick to praise and hype.

Also ICONIC you really have to pull something off unexpected and never really done in that fashion.

Same.

They think because something is hyped that means it is iconic.

That was a great time for Prince. It seemed in the 00's he finally got the mainstream recognition he deserved.

Earlier today I enjoyed a Lamb roast dinner. We had roasted vegetables in a little white wine vinegar, some yorkie puddings and roast potatoes, the whole bit. For afters we ate chocolate pudding with custard and though somewhat filling, it was all rather enjoyable.

Alas, my poor digestive system hasn't been feeling itself of late. It seems to have lost touch with it's 'inner self' somewhat and has been going off on tangents, very much, will-nilly. Audible pops, squeaks and the odd pump and murmer warned me of the coming doom and I shuffled myself off to meet my maker.

I'm not sure there's a man alive better placed than myself to judge the ensuing performance and I do try to be impartial. I have to say that in every respect it truly was an iconic performance. I wouldn't say it was 'Martin-esque' but it was certainly on a par. Or was it parp?

Those days are gone, it's hype, hype and twaddle I think, and who's judging anyway? We could all list performances we deem to be iconic.

The likes of Russ Abbot as Alfred P. Doolittle in his seminal performance at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Again, Russ Abbott and the groundbreaking rendition of "Atmosphere" he pulled off at Carnegie Hall. Acts like The Krankies and their earth-shattering 1978 Royal Variety Performance. These, even in the harshests critics assertations could only be described as 'iconic performances'.

[Edited 2/11/13 0:24am]

RnBAmbassador said:

Aretha Franklin doing 'Nessun Dorma" at the Grammys in 1998 at the last minute filling in for the ailing Luciano Pavarotti. Made more amazing that she sang it in his key and didn't get to rehearse with the classical orchestra.

I remember watching that performance. She did an incredible job.

Alot of todays artists and these event organizers take away alot of the anticipation and mystery from these shows and performances. Just PERFORM. Why does their have to be expensive marketing and promotion for a performance? Just go out there and perform. What ends up happening is these performance never live up to their hype and leaves the public dissapointed.

There is no mystery and anticipation. That is what makes people more captivated and drawn to look at something but it first has to start somewhere it starts with the music.

Excellent point Mjscarousal!

MickyDolenz said:

I didn't watch the program whem it came on TV, but I remember people making a big deal about Ricky Martin. The media started talking about a "Latin Explosion" or something like that.

That was fun

I have avoided the Grammys for the most part since The Joshua Tree won the Grammy for Album of the Year over SOTT. It's an emotional grudge, to be sure, but the grudge just turned into indifference.

That being said, in recent years I've enjoyed Sly Stone's tribute performance and the Arcade Fire's closing performance when they won the AOTY Grammy.

The Return of Dangelo.................2014

Graycap23 said:

The Return of Dangelo.................2014

ooooh I smell a pot stirring...

I could kind of imagine such a thing happening again, but I'll be pretty shocked if it does happen.

Let's come right out and say it... besides the fact that you have less mass culture so even the biggest superstars might have relatively smaller audiences... the new generation ain't cutting it.

James Brown on the TAMI Show was an iconic performance. Can you even conceive what it would be like to see something like that on TV now? Not just tight and energetic but the kind of performance that makes your eyes pop out of your head. That combination of creativity, craftmanship and raw ability coming together in such a way that it's hard to believe you're watching human beings, hard to believe you can be made to feel so excited about a black and white image on your screen from fifty freaking years ago. Plus, lots and lots of people in total agreement about how aesome it is.

I'll hope we do get another one but I ain't betting on it.

dm3857 said:

Do any of you think there will ever be a performance that completely captivates the world ever again?

Of course...As long as this world is spinning and TV is still around there will ALWAYS, always be the NEXT best Amazing talent...

Susan Boyle is proof of that....She captivated the World and Consumers all over the planet buy her CD's....

Chancellor said:

dm3857 said:

Do any of you think there will ever be a performance that completely captivates the world ever again?

Of course...As long as this world is spinning and TV is still around there will ALWAYS, always be the NEXT best Amazing talent...

Susan Boyle is proof of that....She captivated the World and Consumers all over the planet buy her CD's....

She captivated "part" of the world. Bores me 2 tears.

Nirvana’s Unplugged performance. I suspect it’d be considered iconic with or without Kurt Cobain’s death - but, sadly, we’ll never know for sure.