so bruno mars is a motown act from the 60s retooled.

[Warren Stupidity]

[House of Roberts]

1. He sure copied a lot of James Brown's moves.

The music isn't nearly bad either.

[erpowers]

25. Yeah

You could see a great deal of James Brown in his act. The music was pretty good.

[brush]

43. And Jackie Wilson's as well. nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. Nicki Manaj is a beautiful woman. Here is a great song.

your bruno mars is nice, too, i guess, i trust you.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD401B01600EA2F76

[hack89]

3. He is channeling Little Richard. Nt

[pangaia]

6. He ain't no Little Richard,

or Renee Fleming, either.

[rocktivity]

4. Presenting Bruno Mars

Last edited Sat Dec 15, 2018, 05:26 PM - Edit history (2)

Hired by his record label to moonwalk on Michael Jackson's grave.

and he thinks he can play drums, too.


rocktivity

[ForgoTheConsequence]

5. He's a good performer.

I think a lot of people will be eating their words tomorrow. The troops thing was nice, too.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

7. Rabble rabble rabble!!!!!

He sucks, he ain't no....., in my day.....


I know I'm missing some.



He plays an instrument, writes his own songs, and can sing. Much more than most top 40 acts these days. I know that some of you want to prove how bitter and old you are and how much better things used to be but no one gives a shit and it gets old, fast.

[jollyreaper2112]

11. Yeah

Back in my day, super bowels had nipples! Not impressed.

[oregonjen]

14. *snort*

[spanone]

16. love bruno, a true talent.

[pintobean]

17. Agree

His music is not my cup of tea, but I can see he has talent.

Besides, he's eye candy for my wife.

[frazzled]

18. I'm old and I love him

You forgot to say ... he can DANCE.

[ChiciB1]

41. Me Too!

My grandkids get a kick out of the fact that I follow their music. Have always been into music and see some real talent today. Great voices, but too bad they probably won't be as remembered 20 years from now like those of "my generation." But maybe. Still hard to believe.

[Oilwellian]

19. I'm pretty old

and I enjoyed his show. It was kinda nostalgic.

[Shankapotomus]

35. I hate when some people can't give credit where credit is due

Especially because they harbor feelings of generational competitiveness.

You hit the nail on the head.

[Egalitarian Thug]

60. That's the problem with constantly lowering the bar to accommodate The Next Big Thing.

Pretty soon the bar is laying on the ground and anybody can step over it. Sucking less than the rest is how we got here.

[OilemFirchen]

61. And yet I would venture...

you could still slither under it.

[Egalitarian Thug]

111. So you got nothin'...

Just a fanboi with a crush and no reason behind it.

[OilemFirchen]

115. You're a trip, pal.

We're howling here.

Please don't stop!

[cali]

70. not my thing. never was my thing. I'm oldish but there are lots of young acts I dig

it has zip to do with being old and bitter and more to do with not like overproduced vegas type stuff. never did, never will.

[Iggo]

81. Exactly.

The kid is good.

Cute, too. And I don't even swing that way...lol.

[Blue_Tires]

96. It's a DU Super Bowl halftime tradition to have a hipster music criticism thread

[Skittles]

8. IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

[hlthe2b]

9. At least he picked good performers to emulate--- and those who didn't like him, just think....

it could have been Justin Bieber!



UGGH....

[2naSalit]

26. !!!

No Joke! Could have been the wrecking ball babe too!

I didn't see it but I like Bruno! Can't stand that spoiled POS brat from up north (Canada's Miley C.) who has yet to display any real talent for anything other than juvenile delinquency.

Love me some Bruno, guess I'll have to wait for the Y'all toobe vid to come out.

*Snrk!*

[Ilsa]

10. I think it's one of the best halftime shows I've seen

in years. He's a great performer. It's fun to watch this handsome young man. His lyrics are popular and the tunes are easy to remember. His lyric "because you're beautiful just the way you are" is an anthem for disabled children even though it is a love song. It doesn't bother me that elements of Prince, James Brown, Michael Jackson, are in his shows since their work influenced him. Awesome show.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

12. Everyone is influenced by someone.

I thinks it's refreshing to see a pop star write his own songs, play an instrument and not rely on auto tune.


And I'm an elitist bastard most of the time.

[tkmorris]

32. I'll give ya that one

I would love to see autotune be outlawed, or at least shamed out of existence.

[Common Sense Party]

103. Hear! Hear!

We can only hope.

[geomon666]

89. That was my feeling as well.

It was pretty refreshing to see actually. Not understanding the backlash here at all.

[eShirl]

13. I'm sorry, he'll never top this performance

[mithnanthy]

126. that IS Bruno Mars as a child Elvis impersonator.

Talent.

[Arcanetrance]

15. The amusing thing is I think when the red hot chili peppers came out

and played give it away. It was the first time I had heard it since it was new

[hadrons]

20. I don't care for his songs, but ...

the man is good; excellent straight forward Rock n' Roll show with great lighting

[Warren Stupidity]

22. r&b not r&r

[kwassa]

23. more pop than R&B

though the differences between the genres disappear over time. I almost said that the lines have been blurred, but Robin Thicke stole that expression.

Rock means just about anything, these days.

[Warren Stupidity]

24. no really, the performance tonight was straight out of motown. yes pop, but a pop rif on motown.

[kwassa]

27. actually, James Brown was never a Motown act.

and Mars was doing an excellent imitation of Brown's footwork. Quite a copy, actually.

and also Jackie Wilson, not a Motown act either, particularly in his look. Michael Jackson took a lot from Jackie Wilson, as a performer.

You are more correct saying it was an R&B act than a Motown act.

Would you call Prince a rock act or an R&B act?

[bettyellen]

37. I think Prince is kind of impossible to categorize

He rocks, but funk and R+B predominates, in jazzy way sometimes, LOL.

[Quayblue]

42. i was thinking Jackie Wilson too

Good catch

[brush]

44. "You are more correct saying it was an R&B act than a Motown act"?

Ahhh . . . that would be wrong.

Motown was as R&B as you get. They put the R and B in R&B.

[kwassa]

94. I'm not saying that Motown isn't R&B.

It is an mostly R&B label, among many other R&B labels. Many great R&B performers never recorded on the Motown label.

[TroglodyteScholar]

99. But the two aren't synonymous

I mean, just look to Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, etc from the same time period... Motown may have been Hitsville, but it was never the only game in town.

[brush]

109. Of course

But Motown was definitely R&B, along with the other sounds you mentioned.

Bruno Mars reminded me of Temptations with the matching outfits, plus a little of Jackie Wilson and James Brown thrown in.

[bettyellen]

21. yep, has been for a few years now

[Luminous Animal]

28. It was shite.

[CatWoman]

29. sometimes you people disgust me

[tkmorris]

33. You people?

[H2O Man]

72. Who? Me?

What did I say?





Okay, on a serious note: Hello, my wonderful little sister! How are you?

[CatWoman]

98. no, not ever you

I just can't understand why some people here have to trash every. fucking. thing!!!

That was a great halftime performance.

[H2O Man]

113. Okay, then.

I knew you weren't talking about me, since I hadn't posted on that thread. But I simply must take full advantage of each and every opportunity to tease you! Good gosh, you wouldn't recognize me if I didn't!

I miss talking with you. One of these days, we should talk on the telephone.

[CatWoman]

116. :)

[muriel_volestrangler]

75. A phrase from the 60s retooled! How appropriate!

[Cali_Democrat]

122. I didn't watch the halftime show

I was busy making drinks for the second half

Felt like crap on Monday.

[Trajan]

30. Where is the problem ?

I am not a big fan, but it seems a waste of time to deny Bruno Mars any recognition of his obvious talents, from wherever they are derived ....

Most every artist we know of are derivations of those who came before ... It's why people like them ....

Not a big fan of the 'I hate this artist' threads ... Mars is excellent at what he does ....

[ForgoTheConsequence]

36. People love to hate.

Hating on the internet is our new national pastime. We get to anonymously talk shit about things and that makes us feel better about our own lack of talent and skill.

[Egalitarian Thug]

38. Where is this talent you speak of? I went to a party and watched the game today.

I don't normally watch TV at all, so I frequently don't understand what/who people are talking about, but I saw this show and was pretty well stunned at the lack of talent displayed, I'm not sure he hit one pure note during the whole medley, he has all the stage presence of an unprepared sixth-grade school play, and he's totally average looking.

I asked the woman next to me who he was and if he got there through some contest or something.

Seriously, you can find better in almost any karaoke bar from Vegas to LA.

[brush]

45. You apparenty don't know much about music.

Everyone in the party I attended was rocking to Bruno Mars, especially the ladies.

[Egalitarian Thug]

46. Yeah, I get that a lot. Warner Elektra Atlantic is not known for it's music.

[brush]

73. Meaning what?

If you are connected to WEA you apparently aren't in the talent evaluation end of the company.

My wife was an executive with WEA for years and she loves Bruno Mars. His talent and charisma are pretty obvious.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

47. Jealousy doesn't wear well on anyone.

In fact it can make one down right ugly.

[Egalitarian Thug]

48. Jealous? Of what? I'm not a singer, and I'm not a celebrity, but I do know a note when it is missed,

and there were a ton to select from in that performance.

As I said, I have no idea who this is or how he got there, but he is far, far away from the sweet end of the singing talent stick.

[Warpy]

64. His stuff, except the one with the Leonard Nimoy video, generally leaves me cold

He's competent and bland enough to be mainstream.

What made that halftime show (now that it's on You Tube) is the lighting. That was fantastic.

[Dorian Gray]

66. Thought he was great, too

and I'm not into pop music all that much.

Refreshing.

And though i'm historically more a fan of the RHCPs, I preferred Mars last night.

Maybe bc my three and a half year old daughter had a "dance party!" to his music and it was so darn cute.

[Warren Stupidity]

68. I guess I wasnt clear, I thought his act was great.

[Blue_In_AK]

31. I like Bruno Mars,

+ he's cute.

[CANDO]

34. The Chili Peppers ruined a nice show.

Who thought putting the Chili Peppers and Bruno Mars together would be a good idea?

[Egalitarian Thug]

59. At least Kiedis has had the decency to start getting a little thick.

I mean really, those guys are my age!

[TexasBushwhacker]

123. For 51 they look damn good

When they more lean they were junkies. Now they aren't "thick", they're healthy.

[Egalitarian Thug]

125. They certainly do. But I'm the same age and I tell myself that, too.

They used to come out to Phoenix and play The Mason Jar to tune up and try out new stuff before they Hit It Big. Every two or three Thursdays, IIRC.

[TexasBushwhacker]

127. Cool beans, I saw REM before they got famous

at a small club in Houston, back Michael Stipe had hair

[Ilsa]

107. I was thinking the exact same thing.

I'm older, and I know I can get "age-ist" in my musical preferences, but Bruno Mars has real talent. He's easy to watch and listen to. the RHCP didn't add a thing. In fact after about 30 seconds of them coming on, I took my halftime break. I'm glad I got back for the great finish, though.

[SamKnause]

39. No, you are incorrect.

I am a 60 year old female.

Check out his incredible guitar playing on youtube.

He started impersonating Elvis at the age of 2.

He comes from a family of musicians.

He sings, plays various instruments, he writes lyrics and he can dance.

[Jetboy]

91. Yes, Elvis and many of the other 1950s greats. His hair is

a 1950s pompadour with the shiny shoes and gold Elvis type jackets. It is a timeless style that when pulled off properly ala the fantastic young Mr Mars, it is the best there ever was. His moves and style are the best I've seen since Elvis, Little Richard, James Brown, Frankie Lymon, Jackie Wilson, etc smooth like Sam Cooke too.

I don't remember ever commenting on a half time show one way or another in my life. Bruno Mars has given me hope in pop culture that I have lost for decades. GO BRUNO GO!!

[TheFrenchRazor]

40. don't have any idea who he is, but if he's 60's motown retooled, it couldn't hurt modern

modern music any.

[Warren DeMontague]

49. Still, they included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to appeal to all the older viewers.

Let. me. say. that. again:


[font size=4]they included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to appeal to [font size=6]all the [blink]older[/blink] viewers.[/font][/font]


Now remove thineselves henceforth from mine lawne, young ruffians!

[steve2470]

51. LOL I was waiting for....

the RHCP to all strip down to socks on their penises and run around LOL

I really was I was actually a bit relieved when they kept their clothes on. I also wondered if the NFL made them agree in their contract to behave. I think I have the right band.

[Warren DeMontague]

52. We used to wear these for shock value, now it's purely because IT'S COLD!

[steve2470]

53. haha !

Didn't the lead singer of RHCP perform one time clad only in a penis sock ? If you don't recall it, I'll go look for who did. I was WAITING for that to happen lol

on edit: IT WAS THEM !! My memory is still good, woot !

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2012-03-29/music/red-hot-chili-peppers-at-bankatlantic-center-april-2/

Remember when the Red Hot Chili Peppers would run around with socks precariously covering their penises? That signature onstage antic resonated so much with the alternative-rock audience — and eventually wider popular culture — because it was the closest the Peps had ever come to expressing their true essence.

[Warren DeMontague]

54. Oh, yeah, I think all of them were on the cover of Rolling Stone in just socks.

It's just funny because I still remember them from their edgy, rough around the edges LA days in the mid 80s... Now they're a sop to the older demographic... like, presumably, me.

Time's a TRIP, MAN!

[steve2470]

55. pic of them in socks lol

[Warren DeMontague]

58. Yep, that's the one.

[Dorian Gray]

67. Hah

I'm one of those viewers. I've seen the RHCPs live in the past, and they've been discordant and off key for whole concerts.

[liberal_at_heart]

50. I like his style even if it is borrowed. I like his music, and he is good looking too.

His song Treasure reminds me of how my husband treats me.

[Blue_In_AK]

62. I like "When I Was Your Man"

I don't think he wrote that song, but he sings it really well.

[liberal_at_heart]

83. That song definitely displays what a good voice he has.

[Glassunion]

106. Name one performer who does not borrow from their influences.

[liberal_at_heart]

112. I don't have a problems with it. I like Bruno Mars. I was glued to the tv during the half time show.

[me b zola]

56. I loved his performance!

And yeah, I thought it was not only a nod to Motown, but a full on bow. Got to say that I am a little biased as that my grandchildren are also Latin/Filipino, but I really am enamored with his talent. I generally don't like pop, but if its Bruno its good.

For those unfamiliar with his music, this video may help, lol

[2naSalit]

57. Just watched

most of it. I really liked it until the RHCP came out... yikes!

Bruno is cool, didn't know he played drums. I love the tight choreography with the band, one of the things that I noticed the first time I saw him on any show. I'd love to have a band that could move like that and play like they do!

He's also funny on "Funny or Die" vids.

As for those shirtless guys, eeek, I wouldn't pay to see that.

[Blue_In_AK]

63. The RHCP are so '90s.

I didn't watch the show. Are they still doing that shirtless bit?

[kcr]

87. Yes

Ugh. I know they were included for my demographic, but I much preferred Bruno Mars. I thought he was great. Could have done without RHCP.

[2naSalit]

93. I agree

They could have left that whole part out. If it was for my demographic, they totally missed the mark. For the overall half-time thing, all I can say is... what the heck were they thinking, the two should never have been paired for any performance.

Eeek.

[HappyMe]

65. I think it was the best half time show

I have seen in a long, long time.

[Iggo]

80. I agree.

[HappyMe]

85. Lots of energy, great dancing

- what's not to like.

When Kiedis started jumping, everybody in the bar did the same. We left the sound off for the second half and we were dancing fools. Good times.

[Bluenorthwest]

69. Bruno Mars is pure 21st Century talent. If influences bother you, you best start

griping about the Beatles, who imitated every pop act they'd ever heard from Little Richard to Jerry Lee to Carl Perkins. Repackaged hacks, those guys! And once you finish with the Beatles, move on to every other artist who has ever drawn breath, for none are without influences.

[LWolf]

74. To one degree or another; some, Mars among them, to a stronger degree.

I'm sure his half-time performance was good. I wasn't watching.

When it comes to imitating, though...I can't think of Bruno Mars without thinking of my introduction to him by some of my teenage students. They requested him, so I pulled him up on youtube to whatever song they wanted, watched and listened, and then said, "Okay. Of course, if that's what I wanted, I could just listen and watch Michael Jackson do it first and better." And sometimes we do.

Those teenagers acknowledged that, and added, "yes, but MJ's not here any more. This is what we've got." That point goes to them.

I hear he performed with TRHCP, who are NOT "pure 21st century" talent.

[kwassa]

104. Michael Jackson didn't do anything first.

I'm struck by how much he copied from the artists that went before him.

Both Michael and Bruno take a lot from Jackie Wilson. And, many other black entertainers that came before him.

[Jetboy]

108. Bruno had a lot of Elvis moves.

“A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.”
-Jackie Wilson


I just caught Chubby Checker live on Saturday night and he did Elvis complete with Blue Suede Shoes.

[kwassa]

110. Everybody copied everybody ...

but Jackie does a lot of things Elvis never did.

Elvis essentially copied the black performers he saw in clubs.

[Jetboy]

118. Gold lame suit, pompadour hair, black pants and

shiny shoes. That's Elvis in 1956 and Bruno Mars in 2014. Mars has been copying Elvis, not Jackie Wilson or Sam Cooke, since he was 4 years old.

There were half a dozen black artist mentioned in this thread before anybody mentioned the most obvious comparison of all, Elvis. Elvis also predated every one of them. A lot of people like to dismiss Elvis in similar fashion to the way you have but fortunately Bruno Mars isn't one of them.

Google Elvis gold lame. Bruno Mars' look is identical to Elvis in 1956. He isn't trying to hide it any more than the Clash designing their LP 'London Calling' after Elvis' first LP.

[LWolf]

119. To one degree or another. nt

[hatrack]

71. True, but at least he can sing . . .

Case in point - Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards a few years ago.

[Orrex]

76. I heard that he was on your lawn.

[LanternWaste]

77. So someone realizes that music is reworked and reinvented throughout the ages.

So someone realizes that music is reworked and reinvented throughout the ages.

[Iggo]

78. When he wants to be, yeah.

[mfcorey1]

79. Best Superbowl halftime performance in a long time.

[ScreamingMeemie]

82. Actually, he reminds me more of Fabian.

[sufrommich]

84. As opposed to practically every other band

from the past who has borrowed heavily from those who came before them? Same as it ever was.

[tavernier]

86. He is amazingly versatile

but if the SB is the only opportunity one has had to see him perform, one would not know that.

Bruno rocks.

[Jetboy]

88. His record is called 'Doo Wops and Hooligans' and his style is straight 1950s flash ala Elvis,

Little Richard and the fantastic doo wop acts. From the pompadour to the shiny shoes the man's heart is in the right place. He even did a tiny riff on the Isley Brothers 'Shout.'

Someday he'll have control of his music and then LOOK OUT!!

[Botany]

90. the man is a talent

[LittleBlue]

92. He's pretty overhyped, IMO

His music is meh, nothing particularly catchy about it. Nor very original.

Not a hater of his, but I never understood the fuss over him.

[Glassunion]

95. Right... And Elvis was a blues / gospel act retooled.

The Beatles were just a Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Elvis act retooled.

Every musician has their influences.

[Lex]

101. I'm glad to see older music carried forward

such as Bruno Mars does.

[Glassunion]

105. I am glad as well. Music will always be carried forward.

It just wears slightly different clothes in each generation.

[alp227]

97. At least he's not Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus or Katy Perry. Bruno CAN SING.

He knows his music. They don't.

[TexasBushwhacker]

128. Not to mention, what's he supposed to do?

They offered him one of the biggest gigs ever and he took it! Why should he turn them down? Go to his website and check his tour, plenty of dates are sold out, including 2 nights at Madison Square Garden.

[Lex]

100. Yes, carrying on the tradition! He's great!

Glad to see the younger generation carrying that music forward.

[ksoze]

102. Huge Talent - great SB choice

Music with words that you can understand, danceable and nostalgic. What's not to like?

[reformist2]

114. I'm not really even a fan, but even I can see he's a unique talent! Old fogies, please get a grip.

[JI7]

117. he has many older fans

[TexasBushwhacker]

120. I'm a 57 year old white female

I LOVED HIM!!! I'ved heard him on the radio plenty of times, but I had never seen him. When I saw those gold lame suits and the pompadore, I thought "Baby PLEASE do some James Brown moves". He didn't disappoint! Everyone has influences. I thought this was the best half time show since Prince.

[mithnanthy]

121. Go to You Tube..

search "youngest Elvis impersonator"...a 4 year old Bruno.... see the early talent! Check it out!

[alarimer]

124. Yes, so are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but they do it much better than Bruno