This discussion has touched on an aspect of our Entertainment Industry [in particular musical performers] that I remember noticing as it became prevalent in the 1990s and has continued to this day.
In the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies*, one's
ability as a musician/singer/songwriter/performer was the standard by which new, aspiring 'talents' were judged. How you looked was a secondary consideration [if that]. Beginning in the Eighties, a person's aesthetic appeal was added to the criteria, so that in order to 'make it', you had to not only be truly Talented, you had to be Good-Looking as well.
With close to thirty years of this being The Way Things Are, we have become accustomed to our Stars all being pretty/handsome as well as musically gifted.
It is into this mix that we find ourselves
surprised that someone like Susan Boyle, who is wonderfully talented yet aesthetically 'plain', should ascend the same World Media Stage as the 'beautiful' artists and performers we have been spoon-fed by the Media moguls all these years.
I fervently hope that this pendulum is beginning to swing back the other way.
Kb
* I seriously doubt that musical giants such as Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Don and Phil Everly, Mama Cass, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Simon/Art Garfunkle, Mick Jagger/Keith Richards, just to name a few, would have achieved their respected places in Popular Music if they had 'come up' in the last twenty years.
Thanks Kenny, now I know, I'm probably too ugly to be famous!!! At least I can now live out the rest of my musical days in anonymity without worrying about it any more!!!
