At our local associated food store you can pick up a Kids Club magazine which features "activities, articles, experiments, recipes and cool comics." I admit I picked the magazine up for the coupons that are included. Now, I realize I'm fairly conservative, but I think that the spring 2009 issue of this magazine was not age appropriate. In this "Music Issue" the following artists were featured: Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, U2, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.
All of these are fantastic artists in their own spheres and stand out in many ways; I just don't think they should be honored in a kids magazine. Let me tell you why (with some help from my friends at wikipedia):
Robert Johnson- Legend is that he sold his soul to the devil, who tuned his guitar and gave him mastery of it. I obviously don't believe this, but still. He was allegedly poisoned for dancing with a married woman.
Muddy Waters- Irony here, he comes up clean.
Elvis Presley- Died from drug intoxication.
Bob Dylan (one of Gabe's favs)- Endorsed Obama. OK, I'm kidding around here --take it easy everyone. There's no doubt that he's used drugs.
The Beatles- Used drugs and George Harrison died from throat cancer attributed to smoking.
Jimi Hendrix- died in London under "circumstances which have never been fully explained," but we all know he asphyxiated.
Led Zeppelin- Used drugs and John Bonham died of "pulmonary edema" which is water logging of the lungs caused by inhalation of vomit.
The Clash- Headon was a big time heroin addict.
U2- No dirt on them and I'm actually ok with them. At least they take a stand for things (though we often differ on our stands).
Nirvana- Kurt Cobain was heavily addicted to drugs and committed suicide, not to mention the explicit lyrics.
Pearl Jam- McCready has drug addiction problems and in the picture *in* the magazine, Vedeer, is holding a bottle of liquor.
So, for my Valentine's Day rant, I just wanted to let everyone know how I felt. I think the kids club magazine should have featured more heroes worthy of our kids attention. You know the ones who weren't heavily influenced by drugs and raucous living. Oh wait, I'm not sure they exist. Anyway, I think they could have chosen more wisely, or at least included a post script about how we should all say no to drugs and alcohol, and be faithful to our spouses and sing nice words, etc.
Before I hear from a bunch of crazy Zeppelin fans about how much they rock, don't forget that I'm talking about a kid's magazine :)
3 comments:
These were all my idols growing up, and I didn't turn out that bad... did I? haha.
I know what you mean. I was given 2 copies and promptly threw them in the trash.
Love that post, Em. Say no to drugs, and ugly lyrics. Amen.
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