Category: celebrities

We could be heroes

Last week’s Big Issue was a heroes edition. They had famouses talk to other famouses in the pretext of interviewing them so they didn’t feel nervous and awkward about their desire to speak to another famous just because they were someone they admired.

The other day I went to see Richard Herring. I’m a bit of a fanboy of his. I have been a fan since

watching Fist of Fun and This Morning With Richard Not Judy (TMWRNJ) back when I was at school. I have seen him perform 4 or 5 times now, bought DVDs, listen to some of his many podcasts. I even got a bit excited when he emailed me back after I sent him an email about his Me 1 v Me 2 podcast where he plays himself at snooker.

I had an opportunity to meet him after the show. He was selling books and DVDs and chatting to fans. It wasn’t a long queue and wouldn’t have been too much of my time to queue up and meet him. The opportunity to meet my hero. And yet I didn’t want to do it.

Thinking about why I didn’t want to is a little odd. I know I’d want to say something clever or memorable. I also believe that I’d mess it up and say something stupid. I’m also not sure what I’d gain from a very short interaction with him.

When I was at university, I used to work for the local newspaper and I got to interview the big bands that came to town. I especially remember interviewing Stove, the bass player from Mansun who were (and still are) one of my favourite bands. If there was ever a time to be nervous and say something stupid to a famous, that was the time. However, I think I did fine – or at least as fine as any 18 year old can do when in that sort of situation.

Not wanting to meet my heroes is not a new thing. I support West Ham United and they came down to play against Folkestone in a pre-season friendly many years ago. My family when to the bar and meet the players and staff – including my 12 year old brother being offered a pint by Harry Redknapp – while I was sat in the stand with my friend. However, missing that experience isn’t something I have ever regretted.

You’re told that celebrities are just nice normal people like you or I (or at least you’re told that some of them are). I think maybe that’s the problem. I don’t want them to be like me. I want them to have some sort of mystique. Something other worldly. Something that makes them more interesting than just a regular human.

And also, I think I’d want to say something cool but I know I’d just say something ridiculously embarrassing like squeaking out “You were a joy to watch.”

Boys Don’t Cry

I cried on Friday. And then on Saturday.
I am not the sort of person to cry very often. Mainly because I don’t have feelings. 
Even more I’m not the type to go around telling people that I cried.
The reason for my emotional episodes is the death of Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch of the Beastie Boys. I am not the sort of person to be too bothered by the deaths of celebrities. I can only remember one other celebrity death that really affected me (Elliott Smith, if you’re interested).
However, The Beastie Boys have a special meaning for me. Not only are they one of the best bands I have seen live but if it were not for them, my music tastes would be extremely narrow.
The first Beastie Boys song I heard was Sabotage on MTV when MTV used to actually play music. Not only did it have a kick arse video, but it combined rock and rap in a way that I hadn’t thought possible. Until that point I would pretty much refuse to listen to anything that was not rock music.
My tastes were extremely narrow and I was very close minded. After hearing Sabotage, I managed to find a copy of Some Old Bullshit in our local library which I took out and then somehow I acquired Ill Communication on tape shortly after (I think it might have been left in one of my dad’s company cars).
From that point on, I was hooked. Whenever I would get into a conversation about who the best rapper on the planet is, while others reel out Dre or whoever, I would list my favourites as Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D (followed later by Mos Def and Snoop) . This always seemed to shock people but I still maintain that they’re the best I’ve heard. Anyway, that’s probably a discussion for another time.
The Beasties have such a diverse back catalgoue, jumping from style to style effortlessly and at the same time brilliantly. Without them, I’d probably still be listening to Guns ‘n’ Roses and Def Leppard.
Whilst I get annoyed at mass ourpouring of grief over celebrity deaths, I don’t feel  hypocritical at crying at the death of one of the men who widened my horizons and probably had more of an impact on my musical tastes than anyone else.
I am still ashamed of crying on Saturday though, as it was when I was watching the Coldplay cover of ‘Fight For Your Right To Party.’ I hate Coldplay. With a passion. The fact that it got to me emotionally made me realise I must be getting old and liking old people music. Where has my youth gone? It’s enough to make a man cry.