Idolator
Today's New York Post includes a handful of choice excerpts from Tearing Down the Wall of Sound, a forthcoming biography of Phil Spector in which the producer disses every recording artist of the last fifty years. Some examples:
- Michael Jackson is "the most depressing, heinous thing," Spector said. "Starting out life as a black man and ending up as a white woman. What's that all about? But the King [of Pop]? He's no King . . "
- - On Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys leader and songwriting legend who battled mental illness for years, Spector declared, "I don't feel sorry for Brian Wilson. I never thought he was that talented to begin with . . . I'd be more impressed if somebody with a brain idolized me."
- Oasis, the British band fronted by Liam and Noel Gallagher, are "jerks."
- On Tina Turner: "I made her famous, and she resents that . . . But give it up, for God's sake . . . Why say, '[Bleep] you.' Just leave me alone."
- Bruce Springsteen, who borrowed the "Wall of Sound" technique for his breakthrough hit "Born to Run" in the 1970s, "should have paid me royalties . . . Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery until it becomes plagiarism." Spector also said the Boss' career is stale: "He's protected himself with three new songs and 25 old ones."
Have to give him credit for that insightful Oasis criticism—they are kinda jerkish! You can fine even more revealing opinions on Spector's frequently updated music blog, in which he dubs CocoRosie "snoozy" and asks "why anyone should give two poos about this Patrick Wolf fop?!!"
Spector Slaughters Pop Stars [Page Six]
Comments
Maichael Jackson, from black man to white woman- ZING!!! No one has ever made that joke before. Not ever in infinity years. That was gold, Phil Spector- pure gold.
His book isn't all negative. It also contains several passages hailing OJ Simpson as a genius of the highest order.
I can't wait until Ike Turner busts into the courtroon and pistol whips Phil Spector for taking credit for making Tina famous. You don't f*** with Ike, Phil!
I'm so glad this trial's being televised...
On Stephin Merritt: "He's just as bad as Brian Wilson, except even more depressed and talentless. If I had a nickel for every two-bit hack that stole the 'Be My Baby' intro, I'd be even richer."
(seriously, someone needs to start a parody Phil Spector record review column now)
Usually when rock geniuses are jerks or egomaniacs, they also happen to be right. (Cf. Prince, Chuck Berry, John Lennon, even Paul Simon on occasion.)
Spector somehow manages to be both right and a genius, and totally wrong and a shit, all at the same time.
Now that's genius. Call it the Wall of Bullshit.
@dennisobell: You just won the giant teddy bear.
I'm sorry, but this man quite obviously shot that woman, right? I mean, we all agree that he did it? Yeah, yeah, Ronettes, blah blah, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", tootie-wootie, whatever - The man is sincerely the most repellent being on the planet for me right now.
@The Mozfather: Aww, c'mon, man, have you no love left for Carol Channing?
It would have been far more interesting if he said Liam and Noel weren't jerks. Like, "They made me cookies and offered to water my plants." Them being jerks is a given, and I'm sure they are very proud of the fact.
all phil spector related posts, all the time!
Well if Cutler's right about the jury being rigged, they're going to need some alternate jurors soon. Care to take the Phil Spector Juror Aptitude Test?
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