Speaking of Bob Dylan

[DavidM]

  Was their message, "Don't take advantage of the opportunity to get rich?"  or was their message, "Question the establishment because they are liars!" It seems to me that people on this BB would be more apt to questioning authority, critically think for yourself, other than "Trust in George Bush because he knows what he is doing" mentality!  Now I will say that I did learn some good things in the assembly but I didn't learn "healthy critisicm"  The criticism that just seeks to learn the truth!

[DavidM]

  I will also admit that the 60's were unique in that there was an incredible idealism. The Beatles DID make attempts at forsaking materialism and GIVE to others freely!  Remember their stint with the Maharishi? Did you know that they opened up their production company to anyone regardless who they were and money they had?  They produced a tremendous amount of music for free! Most of it went nowhere! However, Badfinger! and James Taylor were discovered, got their break because of this!  Also The Rolling Stones gave a free concert (They paid the Hells Angels with beer for security-this was a disaster) But it was an attempt to walk the talk. To be a selfless individual in a world that practices capitalism is pretty much impossible. People will look at your selflessness and take advantage of it. (See Assembly) I imagine there are some people out there who do walk the talk. Know any?

[DavidM]

    I remember Keith Moon from the movie Tommy and The Boys are Alright!  However, I think Dylan is a few leagues above Moon. Maybe more comparable to Van Morrison, Paul McCartney. When I think of Keith Moon I think of Foster Brooks!  hic!

[outdeep]

I do agree with you that many of the protesters and love children of the 1960's were indeed attempting to walk the talk; I don't think their failure was merely the unyielding forces of capitalism.  I think it was in part that (as you admit) many of their ideal premises were flawed.

While I don't feel the need to ridicule Dylan (he is making an honest living which is more that can be said for alot of people) I think there is an irony of those protesters against the "system" are now making a good living from the system.  I once went to a user’s conference for a high end JD Edwards financial software package that is used in many large corporations such as Shell oil. It featured a private concert by the Doobie Brothers in the hockey arena in Denver.  Not exactly a bold stand against the machine.

Again, nothing wrong with what they do.  Just ironic. 

The 1960 love children protested against a generation that was not providing answers.  But, they didn't come up with answers either. 

Today, many are rich or at least middle-class, think about retiring, take Viagra, and occasionally go to a rock concert to reminisce about the good old days.  They protest the war like old times but are unwilling to give up the security and strong economy that a good defense brings.   They deride corporate business as evil but sure don't mind if their stocks and 401Ks goes up.

My point is this:  As for "walk the talk", I think there was indeed some sincerity in the 1960's protest, but I honestly think that history shows it is indeed a mixed bag.

[Oscar]

Dave,

You said:

No matter how old he gets or how bad he sounds people were in awe of him! Maybe thats why I started this thread? Yet I feel like I have opened the door for people to disrespect him!  Why?  Don't you guys have any decency?

I guess you had better explain the rules of "decency" again.  You see, I don't think poking fun at public figures is indecent.  More like fun.

In addition, I didn't know that you had such a high level of tolerance for hypocrisy.  I don't know much about Dylan.  I know who he is, I have heard his early music discussed on programs about the 60's, and have heard some of his attempts at singing.

I did not know that he was an admirer and copier of Woody Guthrie.  Woodie Guthry was a highly talented but not very responsible man.  He was a union organizer and union rally musician back in the dust bowl and depression era.  He really knew what poverty was, and did genuinely attempt to help the poor.
He just had a bad habit of not taking care of his wife and kids.

It just seems to me that charging folks $262 to hear you sing about the plight of the poor seems just a tad hypocritical.

Tom Maddux
Famous Music Critic

[Oscar]

"Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten imparting grace."

Plato

[Joe Sperling]

When I think of Keith Moon I think of Foster Brooks!  hic!

How dare you diss Keith Moon!! Don't you have any decency??   

[DavidM]

I think Keith would have taken it as a compliment!