Friday, February 17, 2012
Crickets / Music Diamanda Galas on the death of Whitney Houston
Posted by Philip Montoro on 02.17.12 at 01:50 PM
- Kristofer Buckle
- Diamanda Galas in 2010
Remember, we're talking about a woman who's publicly gone after the Catholic church for abetting the suffering caused by AIDS, and who performed her Plague Mass, a wrenching and terrifying memorial to the disease's victims, in New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine while stripped to the waist and drenched in blood. When Galas mourns Houston's passing, she doesn't just praise the singer's huge talent, charisma, and influence. She calls Clive Davis a "colossal pig" for propelling her back onstage before she was ready. She condemns Sony for jacking up the price of much of Houston's back catalog. She dismisses Bobby Brown as a "common idiot."
If you tire quickly of sanctimony, you'll find it an excellent palate cleanser. The whole thing is below.
I mourn the death of Whitney Houston, whom I adored. Her incomparable voice, which influenced almost every R&B and pop singer worldwide, her stage presence, which no one can touch, and her beauty, tough and sweet, moved me. Whitney . . . Whitney . . . was put back onstage before she was ready to perform—by the colossal pig Clive Davis—who continued his party in the same hotel where she died and where her body still lay. Heresy.Whitney should have been allowed to study for a minimum of two years with a voice therapist/teacher before even rehearsing, let alone performing, onstage. It is a gigantic jump to go from not performing to performing—and a much larger one to go from not performing and living a life without discipline, the leisure life, in particular, to performing.
What was she put onstage as? A lesson that "drugs kill"? "Hey wanna see a crack ho sing?" Courtesy of Clive Davis. "Wow, man, that will be some freaky shit, right?" "You bet, man."
Great. Now Mr. Davis will be able to package her death in frills and sell it big time—even during the nadir of record sales. (Sony and iTunes have already begun selling the back catalogue at exceedingly high prices, hours after her death, possibly minutes.) And Clive and Sony will say, "Even though we do not hope to even break even with this uncompromising tribute to Whitney Houston, we feel, personally, that it is her due, as the foremost singer ever on our labels, and as lovely girl she always was to us." Etc, etc, puke puke puke.
Mr. Davis thought nothing of keeping her up onstage while she received humiliating reviews and she represented DOPEFIEND LOSER of THE WAR ON DRUGS. He probably said, "Ignore those jealous fools, dear; the more you sing, the more you'll begin to really sing." Pure entertainment for the folks that know better.
And the press will make more correlations between death days and birthdays and dead dopefiend performers and pour more gasoline on her body. Another party where she was close by but unreachable.
I feel deep sorrow for Whitney. I feel no sorrow for anyone else other than her family and those who still loved her.
And a deep loathing for those who ran her into the ground. Sure, one was Bobby Brown, but he is a common idiot.
The bigger picture?
Think a minute.
DIAMANDA GALÁS
2/12/2012
Galas performs at the MCA on Thu 2/23 and Sat 2/25, and you'll be able to hear more from her in next week's Artist on Artist.
Comments (40)
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I'm not sure what you're trying to imply, but for what it's worth, I was not alerted to the existence of this statement by a PR person for Diamanda Galas.
The fact is that she knows nothing about the situation or the people who made every attempt to get W to delay her tour. The fact that she would crucify people when she doesn't know the situation speaks volumes about her. This IS for publicity and she IS a phony.
Her rambing rants are counterproductive. She's angry, hateful, and so self-absorbed that the topic she gets embroiled in becomes about her. She should give intelligent discourse a try.
Controversial for sure, but I was surprised to see her censor visitor's comments on her Facebook page. Not sure how avant-garde that is. I wonder how much she really knows about what went on in that inner circle.
How has this become about what people think of Diamanda Galas? Although I haven't been a fan of Whitney Houston's work, I can't find fault with a single thing Galas said. If anyone truly thinks that Davis acted in the best interests of his "friend" and client, Houston would likely still be with us. You don't take a retired, out of shape athlete and throw them in to the Olympics, then act surprised when they fail miserably. Houston truly was a vocal athlete. Largely unparalleled as a technician.
I think Galas summed up what few are willing to say publicly. Chaka Khan has also shared her displeasure at the handling of the situation. But she's probably just looking for attention, too, according to some of you.
I am glad Diamanda Galas and Chaka Khan have spoken up in the name of Whitney. I myself was not really a fan, but my friend's mom was. Last week we spoke in the car about some of the stuff both singers have pointed out about how Whitney was treated before she passed away and how sony keeps on sucking more money out of her dead body. This conversation was started by a fan of Whitney, who certainly didn't read what Diamanda had written and, like Diamanda, she is not trying to get anything out of this.
That's not the point. To accuse someone of causing another person's death with no facts to substantiate it is ridiculous and irresponsible. Because someone, a "fan," thinks those things too doesn't mean they are factually correct. Diamanda puts herself in a position that is no better than a tabloid or TMZ. Avant-garde artist or cheesy drama queen?
Diamanda is right on point here. The statement deserves any and all attention it gets. The truth is hard enough to find as it is.
Galás statement is important because it depicts, in a sincere way, a harsh reality. The truth is offensive, not the statement.
"But if there's anyone who won't let a needless death pass without calling out the hypocrites who could've helped prevent it, it's Diamanda Galas."
I can't turn on CNN without Dr. Drew lecturing me about it. And I'm going to guess that Clive Davis, while he did like The Ramones, won't return Diamanda's calls.
"Chaka Khan has also shared her displeasure at the handling of the situation. But she's probably just looking for attention, too, according to some of you."
Chaka does actually know these people, but I don't see how Clive is supposed to be the party cop when he's pushing 80. There are certainly a lot of people in Houston's circle who seem to be in denial about the whole situation.
She so proudly displays every article about her statement on her Facebook page. It's publicity for her - that is what this is about. She cannot speak personally about this, yet that's her approach. Who is the hypocrite?
Looks like Diamanda Galas knew Whitney Houston needed help years ago:
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/23608913.html
Why didn't she reach out to her thenand try to help? Well, because, according to Galas, she was a better singer because of the drugs.
Yeah she just put every article about this on her Facebook displaying it like awards or something. Makes me sick.
This is what self serving looks like
http://www.facebook.com/notes/diamanda-gal%C3%A1s/diamanda-gal%C3%A1s-chaka-khan-give-judgement-on-clive-davis/324172884301066
Sorry but I cant take anyone seriously who gets booed offstage and whose last concert was known for people walking out by the hundreds and laughing at her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-mlD6A8n1A
Both of Diamanda's performances at the MCA are already sold out. You don't have to take her seriously, but pretending that nobody else does is disingenuous at best.
I'm sure Diamanda will always fill a theatre in two nights with 592 people who take her seriously. I have no issue with her art, but I question her motive and sincerity. I know nothing about Clive Davis, but I know when someone is called out unfairly by someone who isn't in the know. And the quote from Diamanda that someone posted saying she liked Whitney's voice on crack is unsettling. I don't know how anyone can say "she speaks the truth".
Chaka Khan spoke of two things on CNN. The first is that she disagreed that the Davis pre-Grammy party wasn't cancelled. One of those things where as many agree as not.
The other thing she stated is that the music industry is demonic. Pretty generic. That could be said of many industries. I would argue that many artists can be just as demonic as their labels - with their fans, with their employees.
Elias, if you know nothing about Clive Devil, then you should learn a thing or two. There is nothing "kosher" about him.
Katy, Diamanda knows a lot more about the 'inner circle' than you ever will.
Nope, I checked. She definately is not in the know in that inner circle. Not even a little bit.
Okay, I am laughing so hard here at, " nope," I checked," that I am convinced that my unhappy
friends of the last few years, are at it again. None of them have any idea how magnificent,
after performing all over Europe in big venues and festivals-many of which are impersonal- that
it is to do a gorgeous venue like that in Chicago, where artists come to do residences
before performances. This museum provides small residencies for those of us who
have to check on day of show in very large venues and then split. It is absolutely refreshing.
It is important to point out to Clive's minions, who have taken issue with
me and with Chaka, that we have received 200,000 periodicals agreeing with us, and that
is why, when my facebook is consulted as often as it is, absolutely necessary to give them
no leeway, an dto point this out to them. Only musicians know the business, and anyone on EMI, like myself, knows
the unhappy corruption that we all share, regardless of the size of our comparative reputations.
THat does not take an exceptional intellect, just 36 years of fighting alongside Erasure, Nick Cave,
and others on our label, who have been screwed by EMI badly.
I thank Mr Montoro, who knows far more than the idiots who, typically take me to task
whenever I defend anyone.The only true enemies I have are in the music business.
The rest of you are just a bunch of idiots who do not affect my reputation but could
stop judging what you refer to as dopefiends and get an idea of what it is like to
be run around by businessmen without souls and without ears.
It is unfortunate that you would prefer a singer-- whom others describe as avant-garde--
to ignore the misfortune of a musical colleague, because we are in different parts of the
musical continuum .Noone thinks like this anymore, unless you distrust Herbie Hancock
for appreciating the flawless musical time of Christina, do not recognize that Amy Winehouse
was a jazz singer, and do not remember the words of Duke Ellington. A great
musician is a great musician. We know each other. You don't. Who cares? The peanut
gallery is competely useless now, as you only steal all our music, and never pay for it.
Diamanda Galas
It is time to use your own names now, and stop this nonsense. A great singer
has died. Do you not realize her lineage to her who inspired us all, Aretha, her godmother,
another, Dionne Warwick, another, Cissy Houston? Do you actually believe
that nonpop singers are not hearbroken? What unmusical fools you are. I am disappointed
in you.
Use your ears, if you have any.
Thank you Mr Montoro. How nice to meet a man.
Esto es acerca de Whitney, pero les encanta desviar la atención hacia otro lado. Por favor.. ustedes quiénes son para dar una opinión acerca de dos artistas, vocalmente insuperables, inclasificables... yo no me atrevería a juzgar a ninguna, pero ellas ?.. ellas pudieron decirse lo que sea, insultarse o idolatrarse, por que son DIVAS... por que son artistas y siempre estarán fuera de nuestro entendimiento Lo que pasa allá arriba con ellas, sus vidas a esas alturas... Las dos fueron, son y serán fenómenos que no volveremos a vivir en mucho tiempo... que bueno que estoy vivo para verlas, que bueno que estoy vivo para escucharlas, que bueno que estoy viviendo esto... que Diamanda diga lo que quiera. Si alguien admiró y conocíó a fondo el trabajo de Whitney fué ella. Valoro más la opinión de una verdadera cantante hacia otra verdadera cantante, que la de un montón de imbéciles que se calientan por unas declaraciones, las cuales yo encuentro verdaderamente bien fundamentadas. Puedes venir y tirar mierda pero entiende una cosa, nadie de nosotros ha estado ahi, nadie de nosotros ve el mundo de la manera en la que ellas lo han visto, sólo una diva como Diamanda, sólo una Diva como Whitney. Loor para ambas. Es el momento de callar o bien... comiencen a ladrar perros o a reirse como imbéciles en un video.
Carlos
FGFM:
Does somebody pay you to be the colossal asshole who ruins every discussion thread here, or is this just a really serious hobby of yours?
"Does somebody pay you to be the colossal asshole who ruins every discussion thread here, or is this just a really serious hobby of yours?"
How much of your Aldermanic salary will you pay me to stop?
Hey all you shit-talkin' trashbox mother fuckers....... Public relations people????? Self serving?????? HAHAHAHA!!!!! You imbeciles without a fucking clue. I am the one that runs and posts everything on Diamanda Galás' Official Facebook, NOT HER. So please have at least some knowledge about a subject before posting and definitely before trying to attack someone. Sebastien Son
"I am the one that runs and posts everything on Diamanda Galás' Official Facebook, NOT HER."
Pity that you don't sing for her.
''Pity that you don't sing for her.''
BINGO!!! I know who this is.......Jealousy is an ugly,ugly emotion that'll completely take you over. I am so very sorry.....
"BINGO!!! I know who this is......."
Take it up with James Cappleman.
This probably couldnt get any funnier. That lady writes on here not making any sense and then you see she has her facebook run by the bob's big boy statue and she only has like 3k fans. No wonder Chaka Khan told her to shut up.
You and Al must be in your last glory-hole days. Sure Chaka told me to shut up. Likely story.
I am now enjoying you guys.What amazes me is that the disease is still ravaging your
dead brain, Al.It makes me happy. Now you have to lie to get it up. But who cares,
now that we know about your brain disease.
I played for your brain-dead functionaries for years as a child, drunk fez-wearing
fat fucks. You got the dirttrack alone now, officer. Pull your little joint alone. I don't
live on your block,koloyerakes.
Jean Harlow
Pinky I think your'e the one around the age for genetic brain eating dementia to start and you seem to be enjoying it making lemonade out of lemons etc etc. What a good sport. Dont worry I bet someone will always be there to prop you up at a piano somewhere so you can make a couple bucks..No nevermind probably not. Joan Jett is actually doing better than you. May'swell just pull the trigger its downhill from here.
Ya'll a buncha dumbfucks! I assume you are all having a lot of fun commenting here. Anyway, nobody cares. Diamanda is the one that has performed for years. She is the one who has written the words that have brought all of us here i.e the words of that which SHE finds important.
That you Ms. Galas for not ever shutting up.
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