The Aging/Female Thing

[guyinsf]

Why is it when someone posts something about a female singer and if she happens to have been a really attractive person, everyone automatically brings up how horrible she looks now, bypassing any discussion of how good her music is. I have yet to read any post criticizing how bad any male singer looks now compared to then but an instance Teri Nunn, Dale Bozzio or Debbie Harry's name is mentioned the whole look thing and comparison of then and now is quickly brought up. It also bugs me when people say things like "she hasn't aged so well", well these singers are all well in their mid 40's and all have worked very hard in their heydeys touring, living the rock and roll life with probably drugs, booze and constant jetsetting, so considering all that, how do you expect these singers to age? They all have probably aged in a very normal and average way but because they used to be so hot and so famous we are just unfairly and overly critical. Everyone says things like "Debbie looks horrible and time hasn't been very kind to her", she's freakin' 60 and I don't think most people are even aware of that. Why not praise her for looking so hot when she was 35 yrs old? I think that guys like the Rolling Stones or Axel Rose are a lot worse looking than any of these girls btw.

[manekineko]

THANK YOU!!!!! I agree with you completely. It's such a dual standard. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Sean]

I think we do this, at least on this site, with male and female singers. It's kind of mean sometimes but I have to admit I do it too. It is true what guyinsf mentions that we will look at the way they look first before we judge their existing talent. It should be the other way around. I think I know why we do this though. Many of these bands/singers were are idols when we were growing up. We looked up to them cause they represented us. To see them old and falling apart I think hurts a lot of us because in them we see a part of us.

[scramjet]

Is it really all that sexist? Doesn't this happen to males too? Part of the enjoyment from some artists (of both genders) came from watching them. If they have or haven't aged well then that's worth commenting on. This is in the eye of the beholder and is sometimes unfortunately done in a mean-spirited way. I don't have time to search the archives, but I think I've seen both male & female performers noted for aging well (Terri Nunn, Simon LeBon) and not (Debbie Harry, Mike Score).

[manekineko]

Scramjet, you bring up a good point. Now that I think of it, I can remember both positive and negative remarks posted here on NWO about how well certain artists of both genders have aged. But I think NWO members (that is, lovers of new wave and punk, and other assorted unusual music) don't really represent society at large. I like to think that we're a more highly evolved bunch of people, who are here primarily for the MUSIC. Most people aren't as dedicated to the music as we are. Many people rate physical attractiveness of the artist to be equal or even more important than the music itself. Those people generally are more interested in the manufactured, mass marketed, pasteurized cheese whiz that is commercial, mainstream, cookie-cutter radio.

That being said, I do think that in general, women (in music and in society) are held to a much higher standard of attractiveness than men, both when they are young, and years later.

How's that for straddling both sides of the fence?

[MARV]

[quote][i]Originally posted by manekineko[/i]
<br>How's that for straddling both sides of the fence?
[/quote]

LOL, he said 'straddle' [:D][:D][:p][:D][:D]

Seriously though, manekineko's right.

[scramjet]

[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
LOL, he said 'straddle' [:D][:D][:p][:D][:D]

Seriously though, manekineko's right.
[/quote]

Well, it's easy to be right if you have one foot on each side of an issue.

Aren't there more posts here about music than about "Have you seen (fill in the blank) lately? He/she looks like hell!"?

I do agree with manekineko that it's harder for a 50-ish woman to be perceived as good-looking than it is for a 50-ish man. Not fair at all.

[Panorama]

David Bowie looks amazing for his age (born January 8th, 1947).

All the members of U2 look like they work out on a regular basis, as well as REM (well, maybe Peter needs a bit more time in the gym)

but yes, the rock & roll life style takes it's toll -- staying in shape takes work -- it's a choice.

[yipyipcoyote]

..always makes me wonder how people like Iggy Pop stay in shape at their age

[ghosty]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
LOL, he said 'straddle' [:D][:D][:p][:D][:D]

Seriously though, manekineko's right.
[/quote]

Well, it's easy to be right if you have one foot on each side of an issue.

Aren't there more posts here about music than about "Have you seen (fill in the blank) lately? He/she looks like hell!"?

I do agree with manekineko that it's harder for a 50-ish woman to be perceived as good-looking than it is for a 50-ish man. Not fair at all.
[/quote]

Unless you're Raquel Welch, Ann Margret or Sophia Loren, who look amazing! Clearly they all felt it was important to upkeep their "sex symbol" status despite being over 50..in some cases WAY over 50.
(not musicians mind you although Ann Margret cut a few albums in her day).[:D]

[manekineko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>Well, it's easy to be right if you have one foot on each side of an issue.
[/quote]

Haha, good one! [:)]

[MARV]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
LOL, he said 'straddle' [:D][:D][:p][:D][:D]

Seriously though, manekineko's right.
[/quote]

Well, it's easy to be right if you have one foot on each side of an issue.[/quote]

But that's what I like about the response. It's diplomatic and thoughtful. It makes everybody happy. It's the right way to respond to a purely subjective topic.

[scramjet]

[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
But that's what I like about the response. It's diplomatic and thoughtful. It makes everybody happy. It's the right way to respond to a purely subjective topic.
[/quote]

Marvymarv, you and manekineko should have been in politics. You would have gone far.

[MARV]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
But that's what I like about the response. It's diplomatic and thoughtful. It makes everybody happy. It's the right way to respond to a purely subjective topic.
[/quote]

Marvymarv, you and manekineko should have been in politics. You would have gone far.
[/quote]

*sigh*
I know.....

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Jesus NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Marv, I love ya and you know that but please - never ever seek office. Thank you.[:p][:D]