You know what, Justin Bieber deserves all the success he's having...

[GuitarTone]

Just watched a preview of this movie "Never say Never".

Shows him as a little kid playing anything that made the sound of drums, plates, glasses, on the table, great timing.
Then he learns to play real drums.
Then piano and guitar.

As a kid he sits on the steps of the (I think it's the local opera house) and plays acoustic and sings for pennies.
Spends years promoting himself on radio stations, 10 kids show up, then 20, then 100, then suddenly they start showing up in thousands....KABOOM!!!

Nice kid, cool parents, can't see anything wrong with this Bieber story, it's all positive stuff.

[marcher5877]

Funny to see this post. I just watched this movie with my wife last night and its clear this kid is really talented and is just trying to make great music. He plays every instrument, writes a lot of his songs and is really having a good time doing it. I hope he doesnt end up like Michael Jackson but I am afraid he probally will.

But he writes some damn catchy tunes. I have already listend to One Time 2x today.

[zosozep7]

I totally agree! Very talented kid!

[Sandy Cheeks]

And his haircuts have been getting better.

[RichieD]

My daughters love his music. While it's not really the kind of music I enjoy, I'll admit his songs are very good.

[mojocaster.com]

I have not listened to his music so I cannot comment, but from what the OP wrote about the process, I would agree that whatever fame/success he garnered he came by rightfully and should be commended for it.

[kwaping]

from what the OP wrote about the process, I would agree that whatever fame/success he garnered he came by rightfully and should be commended for it.

:agree

My 6yo son's a big fan.

[Doug's Tubes]

I never begrudge anyone who is a commercial success, more power and success to them.

But my take on JB is such that if you took away the extreme hype and publicity network out from under him, he would blend in with pretty much tens of thousands of other children who have equal or better talent but not the opportunity to display it. There is really nothing memorable about anything he does.

[lcjc800]

he doesn't need or require my endorsement every generation has their teen idol(s)

[donnievaz]

I never begrudge anyone who is a commercial success, more power and success to them.

But my take on JB is such that if you took away the extreme hype and publicity network out from under him, he would blend in with pretty much tens of thousands of other children who have equal or better talent but not the opportunity to display it. There is really nothing memorable about anything he does.

You could say that about pretty much anyone that's been successful in the music business with a few exceptions.

[Sandy Cheeks]

Well, at least fame hasn't screwed him up yet. He seems like a normal 17 year-old.

[Doug's Tubes]

You could say that about pretty much anyone that's been successful in the music business with a few exceptions.

That's true, the only one I can think of is Bruce Springsteen I'm sure there are others. He's managed to linger for decades beyond being after being jammed down every radio stations throat in the 70's.

[Doug's Tubes]

You could say that about pretty much anyone that's been successful in the music business with a few exceptions.

I do have to say that I actually enjoyed his acting. He was on an episode of CSI or something along those lines.

[pinhooker]

He can sing, play some instruments, can dance, looks good, put in the hours, met the right people, and was in the right place at the right time.

I don't mind his tunes at all. But I will admit the first time I heard one of his songs on the radio, I thought it was Rihanna.

[Bozak]

If he were kind of ugly I could agree, but the fact is 100% of his success is due to his looks, that doesn't mean he's not talented, I'm sure he is, but to say he deserves his success? nah, he deserves nothing, just a lucky kid.

[DWB1960]

Truth will be told when he's a bit older and hopefully wrestles control of career all to himself. He's very talented in that I could see him going the Prince route if he's willing to woodshed a few years and try writing some stuff with a harder, less pop bend.

Was really surprised to see all the clips of him very young and already obsessed with playing, singing, etc.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I don't know if so much attention can be good for a person (especially that young) but oh well, whatever, I hope he does something positive with all the money he must be making.

[donnievaz]

I don't give a rats ass about his music, I don't listen to pop other than if the wife or kids are listening to it, but I caught a good bit of that movie yesterday when my daughter and some friends were watching it and I think anyone would have to really try hard to not like the kid after watching it.

Unless of course they're an angst ridden teen, or a bitter old guitar player that never got the shot he deserved. ;)

[Pally]

He was the MVP of the NBA's celebrity All-Star game.

[Jahn]

Beiber's like Hanson was back in the day - I don't dump on kid idols that bring talent. Mmmm BOP!

[Greggy]

Cross the Bieber with Miley Cyrus and what do you get?




Anyone want to draft a punch line?

[zul]

I will try not to begrudge him, but it's funny that we have a living American icon in Prince whose musical arc has parallels to what we are discussing here; difference is that the level of 'skills' displayed by the elder were almost vituosic by nature be it drums, keys, guitar, composition, arrangements, live performance, etc; and I haven't even mentioned singing. Or dancing. Or movies. Okay, I take that last one back. I can understand who might be an easier sell to the general public though.

I am hoping that he follows this trajectory rather than the alternate Jackson model. Do not need to dislike one in order to appreciate the other.

[pickaguitar]

I am hoping that he follows this trajectory rather than the alternate Jackson model.
Yea cause we don't want him to be the absolute greatest entertainer ever.

[loudboy]

That's true, the only one I can think of is Bruce Springsteen I'm sure there are others. He's managed to linger for decades beyond being after being jammed down every radio stations throat in the 70's.

Springsteen was never even close to being a "Teen Idol" - he got where he is solely thru hard work and raw talent.

Beiber's a whole different busines model - he's got more talent than most, but the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against anything more than a really good 2-3 year ride for him. Tweenage girls move on - I can't think of any who are still doing it, w/any major sucess.

[loudboy]

I am hoping that he follows this trajectory rather than the alternate Jackson model. Do not need to dislike one in order to appreciate the other.

Remember when Prince was thought of as the crazy one?

[Doug's Tubes]

Springsteen was never even close to being a "Teen Idol" - he got where he is solely thru hard work and raw talent.

Beiber's a whole different busines model - he's got more talent than most, but the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against anything more than a really good 2-3 year ride for him. Tweenage girls move on - I can't think of any who are still doing it, w/any major sucess.

That wasn't a teen idol example, I was talking about the extreme hype. If I never hear Born To Run again as long as I live it will be ok with me. I do like a lot of Bruce's stuff, he does deliver a message quite well.

[Phalanx200bc]

If mommy dosen't sue him when he becomes his own master....

I think the kid will have a bright and legit music career.

[rob2001]

Good for him. I don't think i've heard one of his songs so I just assume it's typical auto-tuned pop.....probably like that Iglaceous guy, but whatever. It wasn't made for me! Don't know why but his last name bugs me....as if it mattered.

[marcher5877]

To the people that are talking about his hype, you'd be surprised if you saw the movie about how his career developed. A talent scout in Atlanta saw him on Youtube and said he tried to sell him to the big agents at the record companies but no one would listen to him because he had no hype, he was a no-body. The record companies said "No one wants to hear a 12 year old, take him to Disney"

So they saw screw it, the agent said: "if it were up to the record companies, they would release Justin Beiber when he was 28 years old" and they went into a studio and recorded it out of his agents pocket.

Then they threw it out on Youtube and started hitting the road. First show there was 20 fans that texted their friends and the next show was 40 that facebooked thier friends and the next show became 100 became 400 etc.....

It was all done without the Hype machine. Thats why people were so shocked. Everyone, in the music and outside of the music business was asking who the hell is this kid? Then they heard him, found out he could really sing and it went on from there.

Cream rises to the top.

[loudboy]

That wasn't a teen idol example, I was talking about the extreme hype. If I never hear Born To Run again as long as I live it will be ok with me. I do like a lot of Bruce's stuff, he does deliver a message quite well.

Beiber's only being hyped to the tweeners. No other demo takes him seriously, or even knows who he is.

[DWB1960]

Beiber's only being hyped to the tweeners. No other demo takes him seriously, or even knows who he is.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

[scottl]

Did this thread actually compare Prince's musical talent to Bieber?? Really??

I do not dislike Bieber. I think he is pretty talented in fact. OK singer, decent drummer, good entertainer. Able to really bring it all together in his performances.

He is NOT in any way at Prince's level of genius.

Really?? Was that said here?

I think we agree btw. To below poster.

I will try not to begrudge him, but it's funny that we have a living American icon in Prince whose musical arc has parallels to what we are discussing here; difference is that the level of 'skills' displayed by the elder were almost vituosic by nature be it drums, keys, guitar, composition, arrangements, live performance, etc; and I haven't even mentioned singing. Or dancing. Or movies. Okay, I take that last one back. I can understand who might be an easier sell to the general public though.

I am hoping that he follows this trajectory rather than the alternate Jackson model. Do not need to dislike one in order to appreciate the other.

[rsm]

Well, at least fame hasn't screwed him up yet. He seems like a normal 17 year-old.


Not a direct comparison per se; but I consider what some of my fav musicians were doing at that age / around that age. I may be off a bit, but in the ballpark. Certainly more than I was doing at that age, and beyond:

15-16 years old: Steve Marriott was singing (IIRC playing guitar too) in a band called The Moments; rest of the band was older so he was dropped...then co-formed Small Faces with Ronnie Lane... earlier he was on the London stage, playing the Artful Dodger in Oliver as a child...

17 years old, George Harrison was sent packing from Hamburg for being underage to play in clubs. How old were John and Paul at the time? ;)

22, Page joins the Yardbirds, and was a session player before that; Beck was 21 or so. I think Plant was 19 when he joined Led Zep?

Blackmore played his first session at 18.

Then there were:

21, Elvis hits with Heartbreak Hotel;

EVH was 21 when VH-I was released.

Perhaps we tend to forget how young many of these musicians were when they started making their music on the world stage?

Just sayin'.

Bieber? I'm happy for him; hope he rides it for all it's worth and thrives, not just survives.

IMO / YMMV

[GuitarTone]

Beiber's only being hyped to the tweeners. No other demo takes him seriously, or even knows who he is.

Did you not read post #29, the one above yours?

[zul]

To scottL,

I know, I know. My bad. I blame it on coffee...or the half and half.

[DWB1960]

He is NOT in any way at Prince's level of genius.



I posted that I'd love to see him wrestle control of career away from others and then woodshed for a few years and give a Prince-like vein a try.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Sooo do you think he would have the same success if he had yellow buck teeth a big nose and lots of zits, in a wheel chair ?

Is it really about talent or an image?


:huh


It's all about the image, just like american Idol. :dunno .... and what's that worth in the end?


nothing. :red

[loudboy]

Did you not read post #29, the one above yours?

Yup - he started grassroots. Got a lot of Youtube hits. That's great - he had something that appealed to tween girls, and he worked hard at it.

Then, when he'd made enough noise to make them realize that he had something that could make a lot of people rich, the machine took over.

It takes real money to get someone on the cover of every magazine and on every awards/morning TV show...

I've heard a few songs at the health club, and on TV. It's well-written, well-performed dispos-a-pop, aimed at teen girls.

He seems like a nice kid. However, to think he's going to buck the overwhelming odds of 2-3 records and out, would be foolish.

The Jonas Bros. are already gone and they were bigger than Bieber, 2 summers ago.

[Polynitro]

I'm a Belieber!

[svenhoek]

That said, does anyone last more than 2 - 3 albums these days?

Does anyone last more than 2- 3 songs these days?

[Guitar55]

He also seems to have a sense of humor about himself:

HS80Js4RJ-w

[Noah]

Not everything posted in this thread about his rise to fame is accurate. I think the movie really tried to ramp up the "aw shucks" factor. I have nothing against Justin Bieber and personally think he's got big talent. However, he had BIG money and hype behind him once Scott "Scooter" Braun got involved. Scott had already been deeply connected for years, not only with some huge names in the music business (Prince, Britney, Justin Timberlake) but also with corporations, the NBA and the NFL. Bieber wasn't the first guy he made famous either.

[t***9]

Not everything posted in this thread about his rise to fame is accurate. I think the movie really tried to ramp up the "aw shucks" factor. I have nothing against Justin Bieber and personally think he's got big talent. However, he had BIG money and hype behind him once Scott "Scooter" Braun got involved. Scott had already been deeply connected for years, not only with some huge names in the music business (Prince, Britney, Justin Timberlake) but also with corporations, the NBA and the NFL. Bieber wasn't the first guy he made famous either.

You're right, that was a big part of his success and has been for many others, with less talent. Connections rule in the music business. I saw "Never Say Never" just last Friday night and as an former Record Producer was really impressed with the kid, great timing as some have mentioned, driven and a good old Natural Talent. And he has the right image to trump all of the above, appears to have his head on fairly straight - he did go for Selena Gomez instead of Miley Cyrus, much to his credit.

He deserves everything that's come to him, I hope he has a long and meaningful career.

[Nelson89]

i'm in no way a fan of JB, but i do agree that the kid's talented...if he wasn't, there wouldn't have been such a push behind him once he was discovered. I mean i hate his music, but lets face it, i would be singing that sort of stuff right now if i knew i was going to be rich doing it tomorrow, so good on the kid, i just hope he stays surrounded by well adjusted people and that his song writing matures as his audience does.

[Jay Strange]

Springsteen was never even close to being a "Teen Idol" - he got where he is solely thru hard work and raw talent.

Beiber's a whole different busines model - he's got more talent than most, but the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against anything more than a really good 2-3 year ride for him. Tweenage girls move on - I can't think of any who are still doing it, w/any major sucess.

Especially the early days when he had the choice beard. He was bad ass.

[WurstBurst]

Bottom line is that when a kid that looks like this works his butt off, practices hard and finally makes it big, everyone says he doesn't deserve it:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvvKGXDX9rMty4WYNCha79_65UwDxB1 8PwRGkU9kXfS64Gm0YpLw

On the other hand, when a guy that looks like this makes it big, everyone assumes he has earned it the hard way:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDLSwEm5ilwUmpGCyd8J92QQzY84OSS 80t8mmz1IcwC5RC8Z52

Are we still at the point in our culture were we judge people based on looks?

[nsureit]

I never begrudge anyone who is a commercial success, more power and success to them.

But my take on JB is such that if you took away the extreme hype and publicity network out from under him, he would blend in with pretty much tens of thousands of other children who have equal or better talent but not the opportunity to display it. There is really nothing memorable about anything he does.

This.

[Radardog]

Hey
If he gets kids to listen to music thats fine with me
I started with David Cassidy until I heard the Beatles.
After thet it was no stopping me

jk

[mattball826]

credit where credit is due. not easy to be youth and handle demand, criticism, and all rigors of music bz. success is success.

[crosse79]

Bottom line is that when a kid that looks like this works his butt off, practices hard and finally makes it big, everyone says he doesn't deserve it:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvvKGXDX9rMty4WYNCha79_65UwDxB1 8PwRGkU9kXfS64Gm0YpLw

On the other hand, when a guy that looks like this makes it big, everyone assumes he has earned it the hard way:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDLSwEm5ilwUmpGCyd8J92QQzY84OSS 80t8mmz1IcwC5RC8Z52

Are we still at the point in our culture were we judge people based on looks?

Ain't this the truth...

[DWB1960]

Are we still at the point in our culture were we judge people based on looks, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, and there ideologies?

(modified for ya)


And the answer is YES!

[GlueMan]

Just watched a preview of this movie "Never say Never".

Shows him as a little kid playing anything that made the sound of drums, plates, glasses, on the table, great timing.
Then he learns to play real drums.
Then piano and guitar.

As a kid he sits on the steps of the (I think it's the local opera house) and plays acoustic and sings for pennies.
Spends years promoting himself on radio stations, 10 kids show up, then 20, then 100, then suddenly they start showing up in thousands....KABOOM!!!

Nice kid, cool parents, can't see anything wrong with this Bieber story, it's all positive stuff.


Thanks for posting this. While I'm not likely to ever become a fan, I'll certainly have much more respect for him due to this post.