Tuesday, October 7, 1997
Celebrity death cash-ins result in immoral profits
TRIBUTES: Popular demises are hackneyed; no need to put on a
show to remember the deceased
On the first Sunday of September, every television channel was
showing the funeral procession of Princess Diana. As millions
watched the silent march from Kensington Palace to Westminister
Abbey, viewers were bombarded with reports and updates on the
tragedy that had struck the renown woman over the previous
weekend.
It was at this mournful occasion that singer Elton John sang a
rework of his song "Candle in the Wind." While memorable, grieving
over death is usually a private matter. However, this song has the
potential to be the most mass-marketed, overexposed tribute song of
all time. Over the past few years, there have been many profitable
tribute songs, but with the abundance of publicity and mainstream
influence, each has lost its meaning. The passage of time changes
these songs from emotional statements to distant memories.
Earlier this year, Notorious B.I.G. (aka Christopher Wallace)
was cruelly gunned down while leaving a music industry party on
Wilshire Boulevard. Soon after, his producer and close friend, Sean
"Puffy" Combs remixed an old Police song "Every Breath You Take,"
and collaborated with Biggie’s wife, Faith Evans, to create "I’ll
Be Missing You."
While Puff Daddy’s efforts to memorialize his fallen friend is
admirable, he has become somewhat of an inappropriate spokesman for
the dead. This is quite comparable to the position that Trevor
Reese Jones (the surviving bodyguard from the Diana incident) will
be placed in since he was there in Diana’s last few moments.
Additionally, he will be used to fill in the blanks of the
accident. Not surprisingly, Jones will also probably receive
millions of dollars as he recounts the tragedy for months to
come.
Meanwhile, Puff Daddy could already be seen preaching about
"peace and love" in Biggie’s name all over the television, from
Vibe, to Letterman, to MTV. Presently, the producer seems to have
selected himself to be the recipient of all affections formerly
directed towards the Notorious B.I.G.
Not surprisingly, this has not hurt Puff Daddy in sales, as he
can be found producing or appearing as a guest rapper on
practically every current top 10 album or single. At this point, I
feel it is important to pose this question: If anyone should have
the right to receive the affections formerly aimed toward the slain
rapper, should it not be his wife or child? Nevertheless, the
single has held the top singles spot for the past three months.
Listening to stations like KISS FM and hearing "I’ll Be Missing
You" playing a few times an hour makes me wonder – how long is it
before it ends up in the bottom of one’s CD pile? As it becomes
overplayed and consumers tire of it, the song no longer becomes a
meaningful tribute but nothing more than an easily forgettable part
of the past.
In actuality, death has been a major pop staple as of late. Two
years ago, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony wrote an elegy called "Tha
Crossroads," for their mentor and former charter member of N.W.A,
Easy-E. Sadly, he had died from AIDS. Finally, in 1993, there was
Eric Clapton’s heartfelt paean to his young son, "Tears In Heaven."
Both of the aforementioned songs climbed to No. 1 on the billboard
charts. Lest we forget, just last year, rapper Tupac Shakur was
violently gunned down in Las Vegas. Strangely enough, no one wrote
or dedicated a song in his memory.
It has become quite obvious that the theme of death sells, but
while the public is busily buying records, are any of us also
taking the time to mourn the occasion? (And is it just me or is
making a buck over someone’s death a tad bit discomforting?)
This past summer has spawned a disturbing whirlwind of big-name
deaths. It started with Gianni Versace’s gruesome murder at the
hands of Andrew Cunanan, followed by Princess Diana’s tragic
accident in France, and ended with the recent passing of the
saintly Mother Teresa.
We live in a world that seems to bond in times of crisis,
especially death. What does this say, though, about a society when
the death of a famous individual is the only thing that draws us
together as human beings? We honor the deaths of people like
Notorious B.I.G. and Princess Diana (whoa, this is a stretch for a
comparison) by purchasing their tribute songs, but does this mean
that we really care? Their deaths are unfortunate and sad, but do
they directly affect our day-to-day lives? Are we really buying
these tribute songs for their meaning or because once again we are
victims of worldwide marketing and advertising schemes?
The day after Diana’s death, countless numbers of people called
the music store I work at to ask for the release date of "Candle In
the Wind 1997." It happened to be this past Tuesday, and it sold
out immediately even though it is not an original song, since it
was originally recorded for Elton John’s 1973 album, "Goodbye
Yellow Brick Road," as a dedication to Marilyn Monroe.
Additionally, it was already revived once in a 1987 version with
the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Elton John and collaborator
Bernie Tauin rewrote the song to be more topical and generalized,
so as to be accepted as something that affects every
individual.
By doing so, though, they erased what was most interesting about
it: a humble, vivid, narrative perspective. It became something
cavernous and impersonal, rather than deep and moving. On a side
note, for those of you who actually wanted to buy Elton John’s
latest single, "Something About The Way You Feel," it can also be
conveniently found on the "Candle In the Wind 1997" single.
Coincidentally, his new album is also due out on the same date.
Dumb luck? Doubtful.
Tribute songs that become huge hits almost portray death as
being something upbeat. They should invoke its power in precise,
personal terms. The singer should not be telling or preaching to
listeners how to feel, but should allow us to interpret the lyrics
as we choose. As if this was not enough, media mogul Richard
Branson plans to organize a series of Diana concerts next summer,
"with all her favorite musicians, in celebration of her life." An
honest gesture? Hopefully. Most likely, it is yet another way to
cash in on a shocking occasion and for the masses to be pawns in a
capitalist web. Fortunately, all proceeds from "Candle In the Wind
1997" will benefit the many charities Diana supported.
In the end, celebrities like Princess Diana have touched people
in drastically different manners. Whether it was in fashion, music
or charity, each demise has left a profound effect upon society.
The creation of tribute songs has its heart, for the most part, in
the right place: leaving a bright, uplifting perception of a
deceased individual.
Unfortunately, in a world where capitalism and greed are
powerful factors, it is easy to question the motives behind those
songs. Perhaps it is easier to just leave the dead alone. Let their
memories, hopes, dreams and wishes be carried on in silence. Allow
them just one moment to rest in peace and tranquillity. Hopefully,
the loss of celebrities goes beyond what they might have
accomplished, but a reminder of the lessons and trials in growing
up. More importantly, they taught us about life and how precious it
really is.
At around two o’clock in the morning on the day of Diana’s
funeral, smoke filled the room as the television showed thousands
of people crying as the Princess’ body was carried past. For a
short moment, everyone in the pool hall paused and said nothing.
One minute later, everyone went about their business. As someone
once put it, "life goes on." Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…