Pervert Celebs And Entertainment

[nailit]

Been reading/researching on my lappy while having you tube opened on another window and listening to some 70's & 80's music.
A Gary Glitter playlist came on. While no fan of the man, (for obvious reasons) I DO like his music.
Am I wrong in *not* finding his talent as a musician offensive?
Back in the day he WAS an entertainer. In person, he was reprehensible, but as a pop star he, well, entertained!
I still enjoy the music as much as I deplore the man that created it.
Its a conundrum.

[bhg481]

I have no qualms; I like his music so I still have it on my playlists.

[Calicogirl]

It's a simple truth that talent and being a decent human being are not in any way linked.
I like Caravaggio- nasty unwholesome bit of kit that he was, I think Roman Polanski is a great Director- ditto- I've even seen far worse artists than Hitler, if I'm going to be really subjective...the list goes on. If at all possible I try to keep people's work and their unpleasant personas as far apart as possible.

[pixie374]

I don't think you're wrong, necessarily. As you said, you associated him with his music first. I associate home with being a pervert and would never listen to him out of choice. I got rid of my Lost Prophets CD, because that was any enjoyment gone...
I guess some people can separate how they think and some can't.

[agchristie]

//but as a pop star he, well, entertained! //

Did he? I never wanted to be in his gang :-(

[douglas9401]

Goodness gracious!

[nailit]

//Did he? I never wanted to be in his gang//
Talk about synchronicity....That's exactly the song that was playing when I read this post. Weird!
For what its worth, I wouldn't want to be in his gang either....

[gness]

Not a conundrum for me, Nailit......having been at the hands of a dirty little child abuser I would feel grubby just listening to the music of one.....there are decent people to admire without lowering myself to listen to the likes of Glitter....x

[andy-hughes]

Nailit - I have argued frequently on here when this debate comes up, that I believe in separating the artist from the art.

Because someone is a repugnant human being does not mean that he or she is not able to create wonderful lasting art enjoyed by millions of people.

It's a personal view - if people feel unable to listen to Glitter, or Michael Jackson, or R Kelly, or The Who - the list goes one, then that is for them to decide.

I don't believe that the behaviour of an artist detracts from, or enhances their art in any way.

[nailit]

//It's a simple truth that talent and being a decent human being are not in any way linked//
But is it morraly right to appreciate the talent of flawed human beings?

[andy-hughes]

gness - // Not a conundrum for me, Nailit......having been at the hands of a dirty little child abuser I would feel grubby just listening to the music of one.....there are decent people to admire without lowering myself to listen to the likes of Glitter....x //

A perfect example of my point.

Because of your distressing experience, you are unable to enjoy the music of Gary Glitter, I am fortunate not to have had such experiences, so I can, but I entirely understand your stance on this.

[nailit]

gness,
Blimey. That's a different point of view so far.
Thanks for sharing.

[andy-hughes]

nailit - // But is it morraly right to appreciate the talent of flawed human beings? //

I believe that morality is a personal choice for each of us individually, and as such, a 'standard' cannot be applied.

[douglas9401]

Face of an angel

[ummmm]

I wouldn't listen to him...or MJ

[nailit]

//I believe that morality is a personal choice for each of us individually//
Theland will be along shortly to explain why you are wrong Andy ;-)

[pixie374]

I don't think gness's point of view is "different" or even unusual. Entertainment is just that- it evokes feelings and that is the point of it. Very very few people will find child abuse or paedophilia going through their minds as helpful to their enjoyment.

[gness]

Andy....I don't think one should have to have the experience I had.
If a person abuses, humiliates and scars the life of a child then that person should be cast out and ignored forever by any decent thinking human being.
I cannot understand anyone listening to the music...enjoying the music of a man who destroyed part of the innocence of a child....a man who gave, as my abuser did to me, memories and repeating visions that last and scar for a lifetime.
Why in the name of god does that person deserve to be remembered for anything?

[nailit]

Good point Pix.

[ummmm]

Maybe ask a victim of sexual abuse what they think.

[Calicogirl]

Personally I can separate art from persona, but I appreciate that a lot of people can't, so whilst I won't listen to Gary Glitter because I don't like him or his music, I'm perfectly happy to watch American Beauty because I think Kevin Spacey is one of the most talented actors who have ever lived. Do I sometimes look at the person and feel uncomfortable? Yes but generally I can still keep that separation.