Good art is not afraid of retelling, aka imitation! What is West Side Story but a retelling of Romeo and Juliette? The Birdcage which I love is a remake of the French movie, La Cage Aux Folle. But the ensemble makes it their own and the result is fabulous. Nathan Lane and Robin Williams are terrific.
Not to take anything away from Tina, but let’s not forget the great backing band she had. And the great songs she made her own, like “Proud Mary,” by John Fogerty, who incidentally had never been to the American South when he wrote it (perhaps a good example of someone inspired by something other than personal experience). And of course the Ikettes. I never get tired of this 1971 clip of Tina from the German Beat-Club TV show:
For Pride Month, or anytime, it’s time well spent looking at Little Richard, a singer who influenced both Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. Dylan includes this song, “Tutti Frutti,” in his new book, and when I hear McCartney screaming at the end of “Hey Jude,” it makes me think he’s letting out his inner Little Richard. Here’s the original in 1956:
I love all these bits of wisdom you lay out here. It's wonderful--and important--to consciously take inspiration or advice or a model from other creators working in other arts.
Good art is not afraid of retelling, aka imitation! What is West Side Story but a retelling of Romeo and Juliette? The Birdcage which I love is a remake of the French movie, La Cage Aux Folle. But the ensemble makes it their own and the result is fabulous. Nathan Lane and Robin Williams are terrific.
Not to take anything away from Tina, but let’s not forget the great backing band she had. And the great songs she made her own, like “Proud Mary,” by John Fogerty, who incidentally had never been to the American South when he wrote it (perhaps a good example of someone inspired by something other than personal experience). And of course the Ikettes. I never get tired of this 1971 clip of Tina from the German Beat-Club TV show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzQnPz6TpGc
For Pride Month, or anytime, it’s time well spent looking at Little Richard, a singer who influenced both Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. Dylan includes this song, “Tutti Frutti,” in his new book, and when I hear McCartney screaming at the end of “Hey Jude,” it makes me think he’s letting out his inner Little Richard. Here’s the original in 1956:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj059o9OwqY
See also the new documentary on the PBS American Masters series, Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.
I love all these bits of wisdom you lay out here. It's wonderful--and important--to consciously take inspiration or advice or a model from other creators working in other arts.