Should musicians/rock stars be arrogant?

[Fenris]

I chose #2. I like arrogance when there's something to back it up (i.e. Chairman Townshend). But it's less appealing when the artists in question aren't that good (I'm looking at you, Gallagher brothers).

[CanuckAmok]

1. Yes. That's what I'm paying for, so that's what I want.

What the hell else are they supposed to be?!

[PVnRT]

2. Robb/dingbat

n/t

[Westegg]

3. Yep. History will out...

...Consider the long-term prospects of bands like Angel, WASP and Ratt---cock-swingin' dudes in the '70s and '80s who can't get car insurance now. The legends remain vital to this day, and their arrogance was always justified. Not because it was a good thing, but because it was a ROCK thing. And---oh yeah---it does help when they have a brain in their heads (see Townshend, Page, Clapton, Plant, Richards, Jagger, McCartney, Santana, Grace Slick, Bowie, Ian Anderson, Lou Reed, Steve Winwood, Gabriel, etc...).

[Whitacre D_WI]

4. I'm arrogant.

And I ROCK.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

6. Futhermucking Wuckfit.

Yeah, I said it.

[Fenris]

7. I can vouch for the arrogant part

As for "ROCK"ing...

[mitchum]

5. Only when they can back it up:

Mick Jagger
Ian McCulloch
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jeff Beck
Chuck Berry
Lou Reed
all get a well-deserved pass for their legendary arrogance

[CanuckAmok]

8. Ian MacCullough is TOTALLY arrogant!

Good, obscure call there!

So were the Reid Brothers, from Jesus and Mary Chain.

That's some good arrogance!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

9. Remember what The Bunnymen advertised Ocean Rain as?

The Greatest Record Ever Made.

[Fenris]

10. Wrap your brain around THAT one.

[CanuckAmok]

13. That's probably true, though.

It's certainly in the Top Ten.

[mitchum]

19. Agreed!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

26. Yup.

[grannylib]

11. I vote for no arrogance in anyone, but that's just me...

[SiobhanClancy]

15. I second that vote..

Someone may be amazing in one area,but they are probably sadly lacking in others. Anyway,it's an unattractive trait...a major turn off.

[rucky]

12. Even the no-talents gotta be arrogant

Otherwise we wouldn't have Milli Vanilli saying "Vee ah biggah zan zee Beatles... Vee write bettah songs zan Bob Dylan..."

I love that quote. I wouldn't have wanted those guys any other way.

[Fenris]

14. The reason I mention it

is because I was recalling reading an article in Rolling Stone last year about the band the Vines, who stayed around for an entire one heavily rotated song on MTV. The jackass lead singer said they weren't going to tour anymore. When asked if he thought that was a bad idea, he mentioned that the Beatles stopped touring and that they were as good as the Beatles.

Yes. They were the Beatles. It would have been impossible to replicate the sound of any of those later albums on a stage LIVE. The neo-garage shit that guy's band played could have been done anywhere at anytime.

God they sucked. I'm glad they fell off the face of the Earth.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. I always confused them with The Hives anyway.

And The Hives were much better.

[CanuckAmok]

17. The Hives are Your New Favourite Band (tm)

I love The Hives!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

18. What's in the water in Scandinavia?

[CanuckAmok]

21. "I don't think that IS water"--Lisa Simpson

"...I can se-e-e-e the music!"

[Fenris]

22. Ask ABBA

Sahara Hotnights rule!

[Fenris]

20. Can you remember their (the Vines') single?

I can. Can you remember their second single?

I can't either.

I like the Hives.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

23. I can't even remember the big single. I remember his hair though.

[Fenris]

27. Yes. That hair was very popular for a time. Still is.

The hair outlasted the artist and their music.

[bif]

24. Why should they be arrogant?

They're just human beings who can play music. No better or worse than the rest of us.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

25. It's more entertaining that way.

Exhibit A - Iggy Pop
Exhibit B - John Denver

[bif]

28. How about this comparison

Exhibit A: Kathleen Battle (Arrogant pain in the ass)
Exhibit B: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (Total class act)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

29. Sorry, beyond my realm of musical knowledge, Opera.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. There's a place for arrogance in performance

but once off the stage, that arrogance needs to be pocketed; or else it will blind the artist to the compassion s/he needs to perform with tenderness or humility or a host of other emotions that are portrayed by the artist.