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Is Lambert the first massively popular gay pop star since Elton?
I wasn’t going to broach the subject of Adam Lambert's "coming out" into mainstream pop culture post-American Idol, but after hearing and reading reactions all across the board I had to get my two cents in. I, sometimes painfully, sat through most of the American Music Awards and can’t believe the media is getting their panties in a bundle over this. Nevermind, I can believe it, that’s what the media does. I guess I’m part of that, eh?
In the midst of all this Prop-8 nonsense, I do believe it is the double standard that is to blame. But there are two double standards at work here: that of gender and that of sexuality. As many have said before me the Britney Spears/Madonna kiss was okay with the media. They are both straight women. If Melissa Etheridge pulled what Adam Lambert did, I think there would have been a similar noise. Blatant homosexuality is threatening to mainstream media. This we know.
I have heard rumblings from friends that Lambert went over the top with his sexuality and that he could have made a greater statement using subtly. This is probably true, but you know what? Pop music is not subtle. Did anyone actually watch the AMA’s? They were not subtle. I'm sure you noticed the insanity of Rihanna’s outfit, the light shows, the fire, the lasers, the dancers... I mean it’s not even about music anymore as half of those people are lip-syncing anyway. I know there are musicians on stage, I just don’t know if they’re actually playing what you’re hearing. When someone like Lady Gaga comes along who has pop status AND obvious talent, we say “wow, it’s nice to see someone who can actually play, sing, and be visually entertaining." That is pop music for you, and it's always been like this. Maybe not the lasers, but it's always been mostly musically underwhelming. Know anything about Pat Boone?
Anyway, my point here is that, sure, Lambert was over the top. But he’s been over the top since American Idol. That’s his thing.
I wanted to present you a list of male openly gay musicians that aren’t over the top and more “tasteful” in their art. But these men are also out and proud, and they don't hide it in their music.
1. Matt Alber - My favorite. Alber sang with the Men's chorus Chanticleer for five years as a counter-tenor (a male singer that sings in his falsetto to hit those really high notes). Now resding in Los Angeles, Alber released his first aptly named solo album, Hide Nothing. This is his gorgeous tune "End of the World":
2. Ivri Lider- An Israeli openly gay pop star who came out in 2001 and was widely accepted into Israeli popular mainstream culture. In 2002 he appeared on immensely popular hit single "Bo'i" by Idan Raichel, where I first heard him.
3. Levi Kreis - a singer/pianist who has flitted from one side of showbiz to the other writing songs for daytime television, playing Jerry Lee Lewis in a musical called The One Million Dollar Quartet, playing the role of Roger in Rent, and acting alongside of Matthew McConaughey in Bill Paxton's directorial debut Frailty.
4. Cazwell - A gay rapper?? WHA???? That's crazy talk! This guy is hysterical. Straight out of New York City, Cazwell describes his music by saying: "just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast." He's opened for Lady Gaga and was featured in live performance of her hit "Let's Dance." This song is called "I Seen Beyonce at Burger King," it's awesome. I hope we hear more from him.
5. Scissor Sisters -Remember this award winning band? Lead singer Jake Shears sounds just like Elton John. All three male members of the band are gay including (not-so-nice Jewish boy) Babydaddy and Del Marquis. Cool factoid: In 2004, Shears and Babydaddy co-wrote and produced the hit "I Believe in You" with Kylie Minogue.
6. Rufus Wainwright: Elton John once called Wainwright “the greatest songwriter on the planet.” And who's to argue with Elton John? Among other things, Wainwright is composing concert music like the opera Prima Doma and the orchestral piece Five Shakespeare Sonnets (which he will peform with the San Francisco Symphony in November 2010).
There are many more openly gay male aritst out there. Who do you like?
Comments
Thank you for not listing Clay Aiken :) Great article.
Thank you! You know I totally forgot about Clay Aiken! But I would say that he shouldn't be on this list anyway because he didn't come out until well into his popularity, way after its peak anyway. I want to celebrate the out and proud guys.
You've missed MIKA from the list.
There are actually 5 men in Scissor Sisters. Yes, Del Marquis (lead guitar), Jake Shears (vocalist), and Babydaddy (bass, synths) are openly gay. But Randy Real (drums) and J. J. Garden (keyboards) are straight. And female vocalist Ana Matronic is also straight.
You've missed MIKA from the list.
You were kidding right? Do not include Clay Aiken! Wainwright and Adam Lambert yes, okay. I'm sure due to this Adam Lambert will be more subtle but it is a shame. It is like telling you and everyone else on the planet to hide a part of yourself that is probably very delicious. Could you live a lie for the rest of your life?
You forgot Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear! Amazing band.
And I have to comment on this statement: "...a counter-tenor (a male singer that sings in his falsetto to hit those really high notes)"
Actually, most, if not all, male singers can sing in falsetto. Females too, except for them it's called "head voice". Countertenors do use falsetto, true, but they are so labeled because their range is just very high, matching that of a female mezzo-soprano or contralto (or sometimes soprano).
I like Colton Ford a lot. His current album of covers is very good, but "Tug Of War" was out of this world. Having said that, I hated Adam's performance just I like I hate Madonna when she plays her controversial (read: sly) cards. It's not a matter of sexual orientation, it's a matter of good taste - or total lack of it, if you like...
How you could miss out singing sensation Ari Gold amazes me. He has been OUT and proud fdromthe beginning of this career. He has had mulitple albums, fans all over the world and wins Logos Best of videos every time. ( Including sexiest video ). These other guys are great, but to miss Ari. Shame on you.
I always thought that there should be no shame in coming out when you are comfortable with coming out.
Actually, I feel for Clay Aiken. His strict Baptist upbringing must have really messed with his mind.
I was also told that RCA told him not to say anything about being Gay. Within weeks of the end of his contract with RCA, he came out officially. That tells you something.
Whether you are Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken or Rufus Wainwright, each has to choose the right time for themselves.
Clay Aiken is out and proud. No one is born out. Who are we to judge his journey without having walked in his shoes? Neil Patrick Harris, who was forced out, is embraced as an out and proud man yet it took him longer to come out than Clay and he isn't bashed for it nor is his out status marginalized because he was in the closet for so long.
Babydaddy is one of the sweetest people on the planet. How dare you be so damn judgmental
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