John Lennon, Selena and ABBA
Yes.
My girlfriend Feathers is going to see ABBA at the the Hollywood Bowl.
Abba is touring?
Not exactly, she said. They’re performing via hologram. She’s very excited. Here’s what it might look like.
I love The Hollywood Bowl. I’ve enjoyed the juxtaposition of Chrissie Hynde with the La Phil. I’ve participated in the Interactive Sing-Along of The Sound of Music. I’ve sat in the nose-bleeds for Paul Simon. I’ve wept at Gustavo Dudamel conducting “Somewhere.” And I’ve delighted at Christina Aguilera performing one of my own songs.
But hologram?
That said I’d go see anything at The Bowl. It’s a magical venue — under the stars on a warm night especially if you’re fortunate enough to be invited by friends who have a box seat. Picnic dinner and a bottle of wine...
The producer the ABBA concert, Svana Gisla explains that they won’t be using holograms per se but ‘ABBAtars’ — doppelgängers of their younger selves — just as they were when they last toured in 1977. The audience will experience a carefully choreographed show that blurs the lines between digital and reality. Personally, I don’t see what reality has to do with anything. There’ll be no sweating or spontaneity or responding to happy hecklers. But if you’re an ABBA fan (and there are millions), and the band can’t come to you, the hologram is a miracle.
I’d be interested in seeing a hologram concert simply for the experience of seeing what it’s all about.
Of course all members of ABBA are alive and well and have chosen in sound mind to appear virtually. But there are situations where thriving technology gives way to opportunities of which an artist is no longer around to approve.
In 2012 the hologram brought Tupac back to life at Coachella.
”The Estate” of superstar Selena Quintanilla, who was 23 at the time of her tragic death in 1995, is about to release a Remastered ‘Como Te Quiero Yo A Ti’ — a song she first recorded when she was 13. Selena’s brother A.B. explains how her voice will be detuned to sound nearly identical to how she sounded right before she passed away. A full album will follow with many more digitally-altered tracks.
We’re being told to “Fall in love with Selena all over again with brand new arrangements beautifully curated for her fans.”
Most fans are ecstatic. Some not so much.
Selena’s father told Latin Groove News that he’s committed to keeping her memory alive with her music. I don’t blame him but I can’t help but wonder if The Estate would have ventured down the same path if commerce wasn’t involved or whether Selena herself would be happy about this release. Maybe she would. There’s no way to know. And that leaves a lot of presumption on the part of The Estate.
More thanks to advancements in Tech (and Peter Jackson who directed Get Back), for making it possible for Paul McCartney to sync up audio and reunite with John on a larger-than-life screen so the 2 could ‘perform’ “I’ve Got A Feeling” as a virtual-duet on Paul’s most recent tour. Just like on their roof top concert in 1969. But not quite.
Did Yoko approve? I heard “Julian wasn’t thrilled at first (but later warmed to the idea of his father being “brought to life”.
Listen, I’m ecstatic to hear, see, anything re-imagined on John’s behalf. I would have gone nuts to see John’s face on that screen. But call me crazy…I’m not so sure John would be pleased.
Sure I was thrilled when “Free As A Bird” — which John originally recorded in 1977 as a home demo — was released by Paul, George and Ringo (25 years after the Beatles broke up and 15 years after John’s death). This was originally a John Lennon solo composition!
I have to ask myself how I’d feel about my own demos — ones I hadn’t seen to fruition — being pitched and released without my pre-given blessing. What about those lyrics that were placeholder?
My hubby posits that John might be enthusiastic to be remembered and included. Perhaps. We all know that there was no greater love between collaborators than there was between Paul and John but it’s also no secret that there were salty vibes too — mainly from John toward Paul because of their very different ideas surrounding ambition.
Don’t get me wrong. Paul was the first love of my life and remains an anchor in my heart. But just because the Tech exists doesn’t mean it’s ethical to use it to the max. Especially if a featured artist didn’t leave a directive about posthumous treatment of works. I mean how could anyone even have addressed something that didn’t exist yet?
It reminds me of how songwriters couldn’t push back on how digital streaming royalties would be distributed before there was any such thing as digital streaming! Who would have imagined? But that’s a different blog.
These are tricky times. Slippery slopes.
What do you think? Curious minds what to know.
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