Slightly odd Big Question today, which occurred to me on my way toodling around town and listening to the radio. Living in “The Live Music Capital of the World” as I do, it’s hard to throw a rock without hitting some form of musician or other. Not that I’m entirely sure why you’d want to throw rocks, or, once you decided to throw them you wouldn’t want to hit a musician –they seem as good a target as any– but there you have it. Austin is simply filled to the brim with musicians. Thus, the young Austin woman needs be extra vigilant if she does not want to date a strummer of chords of banger of drums. My mother always told me not to date musicians or guys with vans. Oh if only I had listened to her.
Still, I can’t help thinking that not all musicians would be terrible partners. I bet Elvis Costello and I would totally get along –at least if I managed not to stroke out when I met him– and I’m almost entirely sure that I would give my hot pink Diors for just two hours of digitally recorded conversation with Keith Richards. On the other hand I bet Lou Reed (whom I’ve loved à la distance for years) would kinda be a jerk and Leonard Cohen would give me the inexplicable creeps.
Francesca and Plumcake want to know:
Are there musicians or other celebrities you think you’d be friends with if you two met? Is there anyone you love to watch or hear but wouldn’t ever want to share a cocktail with? Do you want to know your favorite musicians or would it just ruin the mystery? Do tell!
I’d love to meet John Mayer. I think we’d be great friends. He seems to be a genuinely nice guy, he seems very intelligent and witty, and I think we have similar senses of humor and outlooks on life. Of course, I’m basing this only on what I’ve read of his blogs and what I’ve read about him in the media. But the dude seems cool.
Comment by Cat — June 11, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
I’ve met quite a few musicians for work reasons, mostly when they were up and comers, young, fresh-faced and often with lovely manners (since their label handlers were usually present). It’s sort of cute to hear a cheery, enthusiastic “It’s SO nice to meet you!” from such often alarming-looking young people :)
But Bryan Ferry would still melt my socks, I think. I loved, loved, loved Roxy Music (you know everything people thought was so hot, fresh, and new in the ’80s? They did it in 1974), and Ferry was the most suave rock star ever. At 60-ish, he’s still a sight to see, and he always seemed like the reserved and pleasant sort.
Comment by Bridey — June 11, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
I think I’d get along fabulously with Alica Keys. From what I’ve seen of her herself (which admittedly isn’t much) she just seems like so much of an ordinary, slightly awkward, utterly lovable person, the kind who makes friends without even trying.
I’ve always wanted to be friends with people like the two guys in They Might Be Giants, but I’m terrified that they’d out-weird me and expose me as a fraud of an eccentric.
Oh! And Sandra Bullock! She has that quirkiness about her, at least in her choice of roles, and a way of resisting becoming just another bombshell obedient to fame’s dictates. I get the feeling that when she does the typical Hollywood stuff it’s because she’s chosen to, and not because it’s expected of her. I’d love to have a very long conversation with her and see if I’m completely off base or if she really is that cool.
Comment by Karen — June 11, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Definitely Jimmy Buffett. Great sense of humor, laid-back attitude and love for the sea. What’s not to like?
Comment by Idalin — June 11, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
I would love to have sake and a snack with Alicia Keys. Every time I see an interview with her she just has this cool, creative, intelligent vibe about her that I just love.
Comment by AmazonAngelle — June 11, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Haha, I read Cat’s comment and I had to laugh. I envision John Mayer as a pretentious ass and I would hate to hang out with him. Of course, I don’t know him so…
I’d love to hang out with the guys in Snow Patrol and even Josh Groban. I saw some interviews with Groban and he’s much different from the way I pictured him. Regina Spektor, I think, would be fun to go drinking and shopping with.
Comment by Me — June 11, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
Mrs. Hendricks has the feeling she’s got a few years on y’all. She’s so sad that Plumcake would get the “inexplicable” creeps from Leonard Cohen! Though she sort of knows what you mean. Even though she loves Los Lobos and Bono from U2, Mrs. Hendricks has many more cocktail fantasies involving George Clooney and Javier Bardem.
However, she would dearly love to sit very close to Prince in an icy, air-conditioned dive in Minneapolis and listen to his soft, shy voice tell her anything, anything at all.
Comment by Mrs. Hendricks — June 11, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Why’d you make it intellectual…#%@whine^&#* I’d rather go visceral….
Comment by Jennie — June 11, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
Paul McCartney and I are MEANT TO BE. I would go vegan for Paul. Even though it would mean giving up leather shoes. (Although I am pretty sure that Paul would be understanding about my need for fabulous and breathable shoes, and how hard those are to find in cloth or synthetics. Which is just one more reason we would get along so well.)
I love love love Jackson Browne’s music, but his wife killed herself and Daryl Hannah accused him of abusing her, so I maybe think he is not so much the kind of guy you want to hang around. (I don’t actually blame him for his wife’s suicide, but in light of the Daryl Hannah issue…yeah.)
Comment by Scarlett — June 11, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Trent Reznor. Hell, half my friends remind me of him already. I’m just an EmoBoy’s Hag. And Elvis Costello seems like a great guy to hang out with, from what I’ve heard. It’s my plan to coax him into rewriting the Hockey Night In Canada theme, now that he’s an honorary Canuck and all.
And Leonard Cohen isn’t creepy; he’s disconcertingly normal, actually. I think it’s cuz he’s Canadian. I don’t know him personally, but being Canadian I know more than a few of his exes.
Comment by raincoaster — June 11, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Hang with – KD Lang, Sandra Bullock, Ellen Degeneras (Sp?), Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel, John Mayer, Green Day, Beastie Boys, Sharon Osbourne …
Sting – love the music, not so much the ego, but the apparent benefits of tantric yoga would be hard to say “no” to…..
Jagger – what an interesting life! (but kind of gives me the creeps). Similar for Steven Tyler.
So many to pick from – so little time (and even less chance…)
Comment by g-dog — June 12, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Hangin around with: I would love, love, love having Dolly Parton over for dinner. Anyone that is that talented yet cool about making fun of themselves would be a blast to drink with. Plus, she’s an amazing songwriter.
My one true love: Julia was a fool. Lyle Lovett is the man.
Love to watch/listen, don’t ever want to know: Sting, Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp (I have a sneaking suspicion he has really bad BO.), Tom Waits.
Comment by Eilish — June 12, 2008 @ 3:33 am
I’m surrounded by musicians everywhere, and despite the lifelong warnings from mother and father alike, they’re here, and they’re staying. I think they’re getting to us on a deeper level, because we seem to be producing them now, too–my brother’s children are seriously considering musical careers.
I’d love to have dinner with Tom Waits, though–you can tell there are a million stories there; I’d like to make dinner for Gillian Welch and Dolly Parton; and I’d like to go bad-movie-watching-with-long-drinks-afterwards with Mike Patton, just because he’s not your average musical bear. But I have a feeling the police will come to end that night out.
I’m just going to love Leonard Cohen from afar.
Comment by ChaChaHeels — June 12, 2008 @ 7:40 am
You keep your dainty mitts off myboyfriendElvisCostello, you! He & I are having a small difference of opinion right now, due to his having married that skinny blonde Canadian Patricia Barber wannabe, but he’ll come around eventually, you wait & see.
I dunno about musicians, but I would dearly love to have dinner with Karl Lagerfeld at some point, just for the high drama and the entertainment value. I would not like to hang out with Marc Jacobs — I think he’s probably insufferable and I also don’t think I could keep from dressing him down for ripping off all Miuccia’s shoe designs. Oh, and Alexander McQueen & I are destined to be great friends some day. No one can replace Izzy Blow, but I will be an excellent muse, I promise.
Comment by Style Spy — June 12, 2008 @ 9:49 am
I want to hang out with Stevie Nicks and brush her hair and borrow her shoes, for I have a huge girl-crush on her. If I manage to be even half as rockin’ as she is when I am 60, I will be a happy camper.
Leonard Cohen has never struck me as creepy. I’ve been a huge fan for-freakin-ever and finally got to see him live this past Sunday in Toronto. The show was phenomenal, so if any of you have the chance to catch him while he’s touring this summer, DO IT. Being 73 and his first tour in 15 years, we can only assume that this is the last chance to bear witness to his particular greatness in person.
Also, he came across as extremely charming on stage, very witty & gracious. With a great hat.
Comment by Z. — June 12, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls. She seems like such a fun person – I know reading a blog doesn’t count as getting to know someone, but hers makes me feel like we would get along. Also the boys of Flight of the Conchords, who are darling.
Conversely, I love Tori Amos’s music, but she’s just a bit too kooky for actual hang-outery.
Finally, I feel I must add that family legend states that my great-aunt Sue was friends with David Bowie years ago. I have no idea if this is actually true, but it amuses me to think that it is.
Comment by Nomie — June 12, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Not hang out with musicians? But…but…what would I do with myself? Of course while he isn’t world famous, I married my favorite musician/singer/songwriter. It sort of goes with the territory that my home is inevitably filled with musicians. Of course, it helps that I love the music and that most of the people who walk through our doors know not to piss me off or I’ll stop feeding them. Having the power to actually starve musicians makes them behave, I find. ; )
As for celebreties I’d like to hang with, there are several. My number one is Anthony Stewart Head. Not only is he an excellent actor and a very handsome man, he’s also a singer/songwriter/musician, as well. I want to stare at him while he sings duets with Mr. Twistie. I think their voices would blend well, which is important. After all, I’d love to have Placido Domingo in my home, too, but while he and Mr. Twistie could definitely talk music, I don’t think it would be terribly successful if they attempted to collaborate. Some of us have painful memories of Domingo’s duet with John Denver. But if Domingo ever wants a cake or a pie or even – dare I even think it? – a flan, well, I’d be delighted to make it and feed it to him.
Oh, and Tim Gunn is totally my imaginary gay boyfriend and I long to feed him scones and dish about PR contestants past. Call me, Tim! Fresh, homemade scones!
OTOH, while I adore their music with a purple, panting passion, something tells me I’d rather not get too up close and personal with Donald Fagin and Walter Becker of Steely Dan. I know several people who have met them – including Mr. Twistie – and I do get the impression that I’d much rather simply enjoy the music in their case.
If I ever get the chance to meet Michael Palin, though, I’m all over that! John Lithgow also seems like someone I’d enjoy knowing.
Comment by Twistie — June 12, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Creepy? Gosh. I think Leonard Cohen and I would have each another seduced at hello.
Comment by Anon — June 12, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
I just had a celebrity sighting recently and totally blew it. Walked right past Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck on “Battlestar Galactica”) at O’Hare Airport, completely dumbstruck. In the version that I replay in my mind, however, I greet her, we get to talking, she’s so charmed by my humor that she invites DH and me to the Vancouver set to watch them film BSG… Because it would have happened that way, right? Right?
Comment by Brava97 — June 12, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
I too, married my favorite musician. :) However, since I’m FORCED to choose another, I’m going with Chris Isaak. He seems like a kick back, drink a beer and goof around kind of guy.
That said, I think that if we were given the chance, Daniel Day Lewis and his wife and I could have a marvelous communal marriage together. I think we’d click like dominoes. *swoon*
I saw Viggo Mortenson in the Cincinnati airport last summer. He was getting off the same podunk prop plane that I was getting ready to board. I was the only one in the waiting area that noticed him, I think it was fate. He and I are also supposed to hang out.
Comment by Dazie — June 15, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Having written about music for a while, I’m not so star-struck any more. And I have no desire to meet either Mark E. Smith from the Fall or Patti Smith, both idols for me – I think it would spoil things.
Hmmm. I’d like to talk to Veronica from Benedictum, this great metal band that channels the 80s – she’s like the female Ronnie James Dio!!!!! And she is a big, tall, Amazon of a woman.
Rob Halford from Judas Priest would be a hoot to talk to, he’s the only one in that band that seems to be able to speak in complete sentences.
that’s a toughie.
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I would loveee to meet and talk to Paul Mccartney.I dont think I could go Vegan for him,But I would give anything just to talk to him for an hour a day and stare into his eyes.and Then plot to “Get rid” of Heather Mills.
I would also love to be with steve perry.He and I are meant to be danr you.His warm soulful puppydog eyes,his hair dear Lord his hair.I would meet him just to see his hair in person.
I would also love to meet George Harrison and Ringo Starr-Georgie because I have had a mad crush on him forever, and he seems to sweet,andringo because realy,who doesnt love Ringo.
Also*I told you my list was long*
Freddie Mercury*RIP*-I wouldnt want to hang out so much at first till I got otknow him,because he seems ot me lik ehe’d either be a darling,sweet friend,or a pompous one.Im hoping for sweet
Also on the list are Rod Stewart,Pete Townsend*I would love to have a cup of coffee with him and roger Daltrey*
I would lov eo tbe BFFs with John entwhistle of The Who,Bless his soul.
and Brian may*I want to brush his hair Too!!,and Roger taylor and john deacon of QUEEN
But people I would not want to meet
Keith Moon-As cute as he is,he seems lik ehe would be hard to talk to
john Lennon-Well sorta/.Maybe Early sixties Lennon but not creepy,hippie yoko ono lennon.I’ve never liked him much
Bob Dylan-I.do.not.Like him.he creeps the stuffin out of me.
an dof course any of the other rapper guys that everyone at my school adores,the screamo people.
O i would also love to talk with Edie izzard.Just to see how random it would get*He an dI tel stories the same way)
Comment by jessie — February 28, 2009 @ 6:04 pm