Just Stop It

Perfectly Good Guitar John Hiatt

Well he threw one down from the top of the stairs
Beautiful women were standing everywhere
They all got wet when he smashed that thing
But off in the dark you could hear somebody sing

CHORUS:
Oh it breaks my heart to see those stars
Smashing a perfectly good guitar
I don't know who they think they are
Smashing a perfectly good guitar

It started back in 1963
His momma wouldn't buy him
That new red harmony
He settled for a sunburst with a crack
But he's still trying to break his momma's back


He loved that guitar just like a girlfriend
But ever good thing comes to an end
Now he just sits in his room all day
Whistling every note he used to play
There out to be a law with no bail
Smash a guitar and you go to jail
With no chance for early parole
You don't get out till you get some soul

Late at night the end of the road
He wished he still had the old guitar to hold
He'd rock it like a baby in his arms
Never let it come to any harm


So, last night I was watching “Rock Star Super Nova”. Not a bad bit off fodder to pass the time, while stressing about going to the dentist the next morning. After flying on an airplane, the dentist is my least favorite sporting event. The entire concept of having that many people groping around the inside of your mouth without dinner and drinks first is just wrong.

My idea of “hell” is having a tooth worked on, while in “coach,” seated next to a 350 pound Sales guy.

Anyway, so I am watching this odd little show, where the entire premise is singers attempting to be the new lead singer for Supernova, a band started by Tommy Lee of Motley Crew and Pamela Anderson “Home Movie” fame. Also featured is Gilbey Clarke, formerly of Gun’s N Roses, Jason Newsted, former bass player for Metallica (and apparent deep thinker of the bunch.) Also co-hosting is Dave Navarro, who is an annoying little dude on any level.

During last night’s events, competition, three-ring cluster, the topic of smashing guitars came up. I think The Who were the first to actually take this on as an odd little way of protesting something. I think it was slamming the establishment, by destroying the material things. You had to live through the 60’s, I think, to even begin to grasp the concept. Later, Jimi Hendrix took it to a new level by setting his “Strat” on fire.

I often thought there were probably starving guitar players in China who would have happily taken those instruments and treated them well.

Both Tommy Lee and Dave “I’m much cooler then you” Navarro voiced disappointment that no one had taken their performance to a new level by destroying something. As if on cue, the next “performer” took his Gibson - Les Paul and threw it across the stage.

Nice!

Ok, I’m not the most conservative guy in the world. And, some would even say I am not much on tradition and ‘sacred cows’; but, there is a line.

What possibly does it prove when you need to destroy something as beautiful as the aforementioned ‘Les Paul’?

I just don’t understand the need to destroy things and try to pawn it off as entertaining.
Of course, I’ve been wrong before.