Letter to Mr. Rogers concerning Prince
Dear Fred,
I hope all is well with you there among angels. I am sure you have a new sweater now. By the way we really miss you.
So the real reason I was writing was to see if you had any insight or wisdom that might help me. You see I am really confused about this whole celebrity-hero thing that’s been going on for a while. I guess I should say first that I don’t like seeing anyone pass away. It’s really sad no matter who dies because they have family and friends who will miss them dearly; I know you can relate. But what I am confused about is the glorification, if not the deification of celebrities who display some fairly abhorrent behavior on a regular basis. It’s not just the ones who have died either; for some reason our heroes have become those who give into things we once called abnormal, or even bad. Maybe it’s just me but it seems like the people who walk a straight line are now bigots and those who stray are given parades and TV shows.
The latest thing that got me thinking about this Fred was the passing of Prince. Talented guy for sure, and that whole Purple Rain thing and those crying doves were pretty amazing; and man could he play the guitar! But I just have to ask you Fred now that you have access to some pretty knowledgeable people….is talent the measure of a person’s character? I guess it must be because people all over the world are now saying that this Prince guy changed their lives for the positive and that he influenced them in so many positive ways….for a couple of days there I thought the Pope or Billy Graham had died.
Fred, did you know that about half of this guy’s lyrics were either about him masturbating himself or someone else. He has millions of people right now proclaiming what a stage performer he was and yet the only thing I can remember was him simulating masturbation on his guitar and them having white liquid spurt out the end. Even at the half time show of the Super Bowl he mimed making hand whoopee to his guitar. Most of his songs never even got published because the lyrics were so suggestive. Is it just me Fred or is something really strange here? You must know by now…is talent and showmanship the measure of a man?
Well you must be busy there in your new Neighborhood, but if you get a chance drop me a line. I would love to know your thoughts.
Dan