Idol Thoughts
I frequently have the same conversation with Lesley about American Idol. Of the rock stars of the last fifty years, who would actually have stood a chance in their younger days to win. The show is all about looks, voice, stage presence, and the ability to sing a wide variety of music. There are certain Hall of Fame rockers who never would have gotten past the first round while there are others who probably would have won hands down. Here's my take on who would have gotten the shaft and who would have made it through.
Losers
Bob Dylan - can't sing and ugly
Bruce Springsteen - can't sing
Paul Simon - too short and not good looking enough
Rod Stewart - bad voice and not especially attractive
John Lennon - doesn't have the looks or the voice
Neil Young - no voice, no looks, and the original grunge artist
It goes to show you the fallacy of American Idol. Some of the greatest and most successful artists in rock history, not to mention the most talented (Stewart excluded), couldn't cut it in today's world of teen idols.
Winners
Paul McCartney - looks and voice
Elvis Presley - ditto plus great presence on stage
Cher - voice, looks, and personality
Judy Collins - voice and looks
Michael Jackson - a true pop phenomenon in his younger, saner days
Roger Daltrey - looks, voice, and charisma
On the Cusp
Mick Jagger - ugly as sin but great charisma
Joni Mitchell - beautiful voice but average looks
Anybody I missed?