How Much Fame...Is Too Much?

Awhile back I read an article on Yahoo! News about Ringo Starr. The former Beatle is apparently sick and tired of...fan mail.

If you send an item for Starr to autograph, say a shirt or book or CD, it will be trashed. Starr says he is "too busy" and to not bother him.

This wouldn't be such a big deal except that Starr previously said he would personally read every piece of fan mail and always provide an autograph when asked. Now, I know a lot of you don't give a cup of Earl Grey tea about Ringo Starr - but that isn't the point. The point is this: at what point does an artist become so famous he can shrug off fans?

I know famous people are busy. I also know they don't have the same burdens as the rest of us. Someone like Ringo Starr, or Nikki Sixx, or Jon Bon Jovi...don't have to worry about keeping a job to pay the mortgage, to pay a student loan, to buy food. These famous musicians don't have to work (unless it is their decision) 12 hours a day to stay afloat.

The thing is, I honestly expect nothing...from anyone. That goes for my parents, my husband, my friends...and famous musicians. I believe you go your own way in life, do the best you can and just plug along. That said, if I'm standing backstage and some musician walks by that I want to speak with (and honestly, I don't seek many out) then I'll approach him or her. I rarely ask for autographs because I think they are worthless, but I do like photos. I add them to my Myspace page and it gives me a story for this website. Still, I never expect anything from a musician - but if I'm turned down rudely, it's on. Look, I think musicians (the famous ones of course) need to get back to basics and learn that if fans quit buying concert tickets and albums their careers are done. If not for fans, musicians are just a group of talented people...looking for temp work at the local staffing center.

What do you think about musicians that shrug off fans?

Photo credit: I didn't take the photo of Ringo above. It's from the George Harrison fan forum. I certainly hope the Beatles don't sue me as I don't have any money anyway. No copyright assumed.