Insights from a musician and critic, by Amadeus
May 12, 2008
R. KELLY THE MOLESTER
O |
ur buddy R. Kelley is in the news again. Not for peeing on someone or steroids, but that pesky little child molestation charge that’s been hanging around for about six years. Here’s the story for AP:
(AP) R. Kelly arrived at a Cook County courthouse in Chicago Friday to face child pornography charges filed after a videotape allegedly showed him having sex with a girl as young as 13.
The Grammy-winning R&B singer didn't acknowledge the crowd as he walked with several other people and a videographer. Raucous onlookers shouted "I love you" and "R. Kelly's a pedophile" as he walked up a special walkway.
Jury selection was scheduled to start Friday in Kelly's trial, which has been delayed for six years.
Another delay was possible after defense attorneys filed a motion Wednesday seeking to postpone the trial again. Judge Vincent Gaughan could rule on that request Friday.
The reasons for the motion were being kept secret, but it came as publicity surrounding the case heats up and some media speculated about who might testify.
Prosecutors will have to surmount several hurdles if they hope to prevail.
Chief among them is that the alleged victim, now 23, says it wasn't her. And Kelly's lawyers -- including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson -- haven't admitted it's Kelly in the video.
The 41-year-old Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The centerpiece of the trial is the video footage, which Gaughan ruled may be shown in open court.
Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1 2000, and that the girl was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.
It is unclear whether prosecutors have asked -- or would be allowed -- to tell jurors about accusations that Kelly allegedly had sexual relations with other minors, because some of the trial proceedings have been kept secret by the judge.
Media outlets, including The Associated Press, have filed a motion seeking to get court records and hearing transcripts unsealed. Gaughan said Thursday he would rule on that motion May 16.
Once the trial gets under way, it is expected to last at least several weeks.
Where do I start with this one? A 13-year old? You’re a famous rapper. You’ve got women of all shapes, sizes, and ages throwing T & A at you. What the hell are you doing with a 13 year old?
On the other hand…
If you’re the prosecutor, you’ve got a problem. Your ‘victim’ claims it’s not her, and you need to prove it’s R. Kelley on the tape. I guess that’s one reason why this thing has been delayed for six years.
On the other hand…
Most people don’t realize that juries like to convict, and prosecutors rarely lose. In something like 90% of the cases a prosecutor brings to trial, he gets a conviction. So basically if you go to court, you’re going to jail.
On the other hand….
If you got millions, you can buy the best defense money can buy. So far, his team has kept this thing from going to trial. It’s looking like they are earning their money.
Just another day in the life of a rapper.
May 3, 2008
MUSICIANS AND DRUNK DRIVING
I noticed the lead singer for Nickelback was charged with drunk driving. Here’s the blurb from AP.
SURREY, British Columbia (AP) -- Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger was sentenced Thursday to a year without driving and fined $588 for a drunken driving conviction. Kroeger, whose real name is Chad Turton, was stopped for speeding in his red Lamborghini in suburban Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2006. Authorities said his blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. His lawyer, Marvin Stern, noted the 33-year-old singer's charitable works and said the charges and trial have been an intrusion into Kroeger's life.
When are all of these musicians, sports starts, and actors going to get the clue? Today’s drunk driving laws are so strict, and law enforcement is so pervasive that it’s not if you get stopped for a DUI it’s when. Last week it was Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi. The week before it was some football player. The week before that it was Keifer Sutherland of 24. Next week it will be some actress like Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, or Nicole Ritchie. It’s not that difficult. You can easily protect yourself from getting a DUI. Let me just give you one obvious thing to do after you’ve been drinking: don’t speed. Read the article above. That’s exactly what led to his DUI. It’s not rocket science. When you know you’ve been drinking, don’t attract attention on the drive home. Don’t speed, don’t roll through stop signs, signal, etc. Don’t give the cops any reason to pull you over. Check out our article How to Avoid A DUI and buy the book. All of these people wish they knew the secret. It’s too late for them, but not for you.
April 25, 2008
MARIAH CAREY - THE NEW ELVIS?
S |
o Mariah Carey just beat the Elvis Presley’s record for the most number 1 singles. Can you give me a freaking break. Certainly no one is suggesting that Mariah Carey is anywhere near the same artist as Elvis or the Beatles. This is a comical comparison.
I challenge you to name as many Mariah Carey number one singles as you can. I can’t name any. Now name as many Elvis number one singles as you can, or Beatles number one songs. Exactly. I’d be amazed if you could name one Mariah Song. But you probably easily remembered Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, etc. Or for the Beatles Help, Hard Days’ Night, She Loves You, In My Life, Please Please Me, etc.
The Beatles and Elvis were from a different era. The population was different, distribution was different, and the record keeping was different. Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what Mariah said about it recently: "I really can never put myself in the category of people who have not only revolutionized music but also changed the world," Carey told The Associated Press on Tuesday via phone from London. "That's a completely different era and time”
Props to Mariah for realizing it and stating it.
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April 24, 2008
the birth of a guitar player
I |
t was about 1974. My brother placed the record on the cheap ‘suitcase’ style record player and it happened. The most amazing sound came through that pathetic little speaker. It wasn’t the entire composition, just one particular instrument that resonated unlike any other. I wasn’t even certain what instrument it was; it was so foreign to me. I’d never heard anything like it. I had to ask my brother “what instrument is making that sound?” “Guitar”, he replied, “electric guitar”. It was at that precise moment that I knew I wanted to be a guitar player.
No it wasn’t Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, or Jeff Beck. It was a lesser known guitarist named Rick Derringer. The album was Edgar Winter’s White Trash. The song was ‘Back in The USA’ by Chuck Berry. No music I’d ever heard generated such a response. I’d never be touched like that again until I’d hear Led Zeppelin IV – more on that later. Check out Derringer and ‘Back in the USA’ if you can find it. Perhaps you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
