Two reasons I watched the Grammys
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| Adele won Grammys for Record of the Year for "Rolling in the Deep," Album of the Year for "21," Song of the Year for "Rolling in the Deep" along with Paul Epworth, Pop Vocal Album for "21," Pop Solo Performance for "Someone Like You" and Short Form Music Video for "Rolling in the Deep." |
Before Saturday afternoon, there was probably no chance I would have watched the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12.
But then I saw something on Twitter that I later realized presented one compelling reason to change course and tune in to the music awards show, at least for a little bit. That reason, I’m sad to say, was the surprising death of Whitney Houston. I became eager to see how she would be remembered by both her peers (in person at the Grammys) and mine (virtually, mainly via Twitter and Facebook).
I say “surprising death” because that’s what it was in the moments after I learned the news. The more I thought about it though, the more “surprising” turned into “totally reasonable and expected.” Anyone who’s paid attention to some of the other “shocking” celebrity deaths over the years knows that a life occupied by dangerous prescription and illegal drugs, along with alcohol abuse, is probably not a life destined to go on as long as it originally should have. While celebrity after celebrity show us this, some among us unfortunately have to see it in their own lives, as well, with close friends and loved ones.
While we await the official cause of death for Houston, I can’t help but think of all the drug and alcohol abuse problems attributed to her in the media over the years. Don’t get me wrong – her death is a tragedy; I just can’t say it was a surprise.
People die every day, some of their own volition and others at the uncontrollable hands of fate.
What discourages me though, is how much and the way in which the country seems to react to the deaths of such celebrities. I feel like their lives (and deaths) could have much more benefit to society if we stepped back and took a sobering look at what led to a given death, rather than jumping so enthusiastically to first honor and remember all the great things they did before their lives got out of hand and ultimately ended.
I understand this is not a reasonable request; the deceased do deserve recognition and commemoration. I just wish that at some point in the process, people could talk frankly about why making poor choices in life can and too often does lead to one’s downfall and even death.
People look up to and are fascinated with celebrities. Whether role models or not, I think their lives (and deaths) are much more worthy of putting on display if we as a society commit to examine both the bad and the good, lest we too easily forget the bad in our search to memorialize the good. This is how true good can come of the bad in cases such as this.
Oh, and the other reason I watched the Grammys? Adele.
On a stage dominated more by public spectacle than simply music, I pulled for the British vocalist to receive recognition for being simply a powerful singer with a backup band. I like that she leaves the risque wardrobe and suggestive gyrations (dancing?) to other performers, because when it comes down to it, I actually listen to music for the way it sounds, not the way it looks.
• John Puterbaugh is the managing editor of the Lake County Journal. He can be reached at 847-231-7522 or jputerbaugh@shawmedia.com.
