MickyDolenz said:

No, but it's been said the Rock Me Tonite video killed Billy Squire's career. I don't know if that's true or not.

Truth! It was the goofy dancing and the spandex pants. They (the public) were hinting that he might have been "gay." STUPID, huh? I actually LOVED the "Rock Me Tonite" video!

MichaelJackson5 said:

missfee said:

You bring up a point that I believe has been a long ongoing issue with the black community. Why is it that if you are a black artist, if you go outside the box to reach a higher audience, you are either going "too pop" or "abandoning your roots (a.k.a. being a sellout)"???? Then if you don't go outside the box, stay within the R&B roots, you are "Unsung" instead? What gives? I have always been at odds with this philosophy and debate because it makes no sense whatsoever. Sammy Davis, Jr. was given much flack from black folks back in the day because he could sing, dance, write and play music with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and because of that he was "trying to be white". Urgh, I'm sorry but that is total bullshit. As far as Richie goes, the real complaint should had been that "Dancing on the Ceiling" was a shit song (along with a cheesy, shitty music video to go along with it). Period.

Ok, rant over.

[Edited 12/15/15 5:05am]

It's not just a black thing. Phil Collins is heavily criticized for turning Genesis from a progressive rock band into the 80s version of Seals and Croft. Most fans of the early Genesis fans, especially of the albums when Peter Gabriel was the lead singer, can't stand Phil for turning them into a pop band, emphasizing commercial songs like Invisible Touch.

[Edited 12/15/15 11:46am]

It's largely a black thing though.

Phil Collins' style of rock wasn't just pop-oriented but his music also relied more so on rock at its R&B roots rather than the "whitewashed" sound that the genre became famous for. I don't think certain rock critics took kindly to that aspect of Phil's music whereas numerous black artists from R&B to new jack swing to hip hop have openly sampled and referenced Phil's work countless times.

The largely white rock community look(ed/s) down on Collins while the dude has been/ is heralded by the urban community and I think that says plenty.