Tangent Time
It's time for a metaphysical battle here on Bring Back Glam!
The untimely passing of Quiet Riot lead singer Kevin DuBrow (please see "Remembering Kevin DuBrow") has left me thinking about an alternate universe.
I checked several music websites many times yesterday trying to learn more of DuBrow's death. While we wait for a coroner's report, fans all over the world are leaving their condolences...while trying to comfort their own psyche.
Comments like "He's playing with Randy Rhoads now" are really starting to bug me. Is this irrational? Probably.
Here's why: I'm not a religious person by any means. I don't believe in places people call Heaven or Hell. I believe that once you die...that's all she wrote. Your body decomposes, and it's up to your family and friends to keep your memory alive.
The thought of Kevin DuBrow flying around with angel wings screaming "Bang Your Head!" is ridiculous - at least in my mind.
Is it just self-soothing for us to think that Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Dime, and now DuBrow are rocking out together? Is this a nice thought? Of course. Irrational? Absolutely.
To say that our destiny is pre-determined seems unfair to me.
We've all heard of Manifest Destiny -- that America was (and still is) destined for greatness. Expansion was necessary and encouraged at all cost. Tied to virtue by God fearing early Americans, these early political settlers used their faith to determine God's will here on free soil.
The fact of the matter is this: early Americans had no idea that they would eventually build this rich - and complex nation - many of us call home. Along the way, political prowess meant stepping on a lot of proverbial toes...all in the name of manifest destiny.
Some would argue DuBrow was destined to die at age 52. It was "his time." This kind of talk doesn't take into account lifestyle or possible reckless behavior. By now, we all know rock stars statistically have a shorter life span the rest of us. The road life is hard, make no mistake. Does this mean certain people are born - and destined - for greatness? I don't necessarily think so. Gene Simmons of KISS isn't a great bass player, but he's a brilliant business man. He worked past his musical - and societal - obstacles to become a mogul that many of us mock.
Back to DuBrow. When people say R.I.P. and leave comments about him singing among the Heavens...does this mean we're ignoring our own morality? Most definitely.
The key is to celebrate the life and legacy...and not necessarily mourn what could have been. After all, none of us know what will happen later today, let alone tomorrow.
I can't wait for the discussion on this one. Type away, people!