Quick in one to three words, shy, what do KISS, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvestor Sly Stallone, George Strait and Michael Crawford, (not also, exactly a household name), have in common, in acting or singing or playing, other than an easy lead, if over the magic word count of 30. Quicker to plaster these five stars with a five-point star on the flailing — or it should be — Wall Of Peace and just be done with it. If Sly looks like the peaceful type, and the KISS Army these-days is not as active as ICE, one Cube or T for two. Or essentially three when subject to tariff.
Back to my original question. Hint: Gloria Gaynor has by implication been around many a glitzy, sparkling disco-ball-at-$1M-per-in-a-ballroom. This not subject to tariff, even though its foreign dignitaries that we are led to believe will be catered to. (Hey, if these numbers still make you wanna donate, see the right side of the page).
The answer is: Behold, the advocacy of Trump, as his newest picks for Kennedy Center arts honors, now that he has taken it over, or at least put his stamp on it, like when bringing the WWF ring to the wing of the White House. Style if you can call it that, over substance. Meaningful, yes, but barely average as far as content. Do we see a trend here? Hey, it’s Trump.
But let’s start with Gloria, and not the one on the run or the rebound. Or maybe so. From a genre where instrumental does not got beyond mere basic, and it’s all about the vocals. The chorus to the obligatory anthem I Will Survive is catchy and the song has an upbeat groove and meaning, for many, but the lyrics aren’t what you’d call insightful. As for groove in disco, a bit of the dark prevailing fast rather than the inspirational, I’ll take Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, with the infamous New York Times makin’ the man reference for a bit of cultural relevance. I’m sorry, they have more to say than Gaynor, a bit of the nitty gritty band’s experience of street survival, back at yah again.
And KISS. Rocks out in a light sort of way — the guitar can’t touch some of the other greats and the late Ace Frehley was not very well showcased via the material given — but very formulaic, relying on a killer stage show. They know what they do and they stick to it, which means there won’t be much substance. Interestingly, Gene Simmons does more than spit blood and fire, as his IQ is near genius level, but you would not know it from their lyrics. Maybe Simmons should have chimed in once in a while, taking the intellect from his by-some-acclaimed book on what else — the world history of prostitution.
I will give KISS more of a recommendation on Strutter, an ode to the NYC glam scene of the ’70s. For any of those who were tight with a real stunner, but knew it would never go beyond intense friendship. I will reference Jude, hey, back in college days, who was the hottest thing on the campus and a deejay at the coolest club to boot, and lucky me we were almost neighbors, only a block or two to separate. “I know a thing or two about her … She’ll let you walk the street beside you. But when she wants she’ll pass you by.” But it’s all OK. She said we were tight, in our own way.
Now we’ll jump to the movies. Full-frontal boxing at the box office. Again, good messages, but just not that … intellectual, and you know that’s something that catches my eye and ear. Sylvestor Stallone gets often unwarranted flack for his acting, and like Jackie Chan, (also loved by Trump), who is the master of finding a grab-the-nearest-prop-to-fight-with-while spinning and making it fast and fun, just isn’t a master also of message. (Although there is some there in their own styled way. It’s like watching softcore porn just for the nudity, and you get a bit more oomph, say, brought in the back door. I indeed have to opine with the in-the-industry actress Windy Rice the next time she stops into Dick’s Bar. And she does. Or at least used to. Maybe think Whiskey Woman with Windy. Still more wonderous than most waifs.)
George Strait is more, like Stallone, with whiskey. Straight-up Old School Country, before it grew up — say with Garth Brooks, who was among the first to also incorporate a killer stage show — and got beyond the twang. If you like that, you love it, but its a niche. But like nachos without major jalapenos. You could have honored others first, though Strait’s time may have come and beyond.
Last but not least (??) Michael Crawford. I had to look up whether he is an actor, singer, musician, or all, so ones with which I’m familiar are like Michael Landon/Peter Lawford … oh, the winner was in, Phantom of the Opera. (Sorry, up to four words.) Hey, what am I with my content, just merely a reactionist??
Swiss and French
I’ll react briefly too, to two other topics recently in the news about celebs (or not or wishing?) and such …
Investigation continues into a fire killing 40 in a Switzerland bar when sparklers that were attached to champagne bottles, apparently were held too close to the ceiling, which had ignitable sound-proofing foam, back on New Year’s Eve. Where there’s no noise, just reverse smoke, there is fire. Nothing is here implied, but their ceiling height over an wide expanse that just seems to go on and on, reminds me of the Medina.
There are very many bars, in the area too, with various levels of being compliant with codes and rules and such, to be found in an older-than-old-school dive capacity.
Then, about not being fired by France, and thus drawing Trump’s wrath, George Clooney’s “distinguished service” in the movies and such, was cited and considered for its merit, as far as him being allowed citizenship. Trump and the US could take a lesson here from the French, when looking at the number of people actually officially brought into the fold each year, per their contribution to the society in question. Fluency in the language is one criteria, and it’s apparent for almost a half-decade now, Clooney has taken care. Hasn’t he had a movie role where he had to speak the part? Hey with that being said, ever check out Trump’s lack of vocabulary? And thus the status, immigration-wise, of his family?