Dear Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences-
I am an unabashed fan of hard rock and heavy metal music. I was happy that Black Sabbath was the recipient of the Best Metal performance. However, Led Zeppelin was nominated for best Rock Performance. Unfortunately, the album was recorded in 2007. How is that possible? Oh, the Grammy's really have a loose vetting system. This is how Black Sabbath was nominated in both Metal and Rock categories.
Looking back over the history of the Metal category, it is so apparent that the Grammy's really have no clue. in 1989, Jethro Tull was named winner of the first Grammy in the category over, um, METALLICA! There some ""geniuses" that want to say that Tull really is metal. I say no and they are delusional. Here are some greatest hits over the years.
In 1990, the field included Metallica, Faith No More, Queensryche and Dokken. Which of these are not like the other? Dokken? Really? In 2000, Black Sabbath was awarded the Grammy for a live version of "Iron Man". The original version was recorded in 1970. What? A Grammy for a 30 year old song? Oh, and in 2010, Judas Priest won for a live version of "Dissident Aggressor". OK, but the song was originally recorded in 1977. Last, but not least, Motorhead was awarded for a cover of a Metallica song. Out of touch? Maybe....
I would love to see this category shown a bit more respect and thought. It appears that the Grammy people are depending on their 18 year old kids to tell them what to nominate. Come on people, wake up! this genre is not a joke and it was created by YOU because of the demand. Please do it justice by nominating the right groups in the right categories for NEW work and not just on reputation and trying right wrongs of the past.
On another note, you "In Memoriam" spot was incredulously devoid of any mention of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman. As a member of Slayer, he was nominated 5 times and winning 2 awards. Not only was he a musician but he was the principle songwriter of those winning songs. he was noticed on the Grammy website, however, there entertainment lawyers, DJ's and critics that nobody knew of that were mentioned and pictured on the telecast. I have lost any and all respect for this institution. They rank right up there with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as those who are oblivious and insulated with what is relevant in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music and it's influence on many of today's musicians.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Again?
On September 27, 2013, the world lost an absolute gem, Dean Richard Menart. Dean, also known as Deano, Menart, Menarf or kid, was my older brother from another mother. No, I am trying to be urban. Dean just had another mother. The story of how Dean came to be in the Crawford family is quite simple. He showed up one day and he never left.
In 1980, we moved to Glendora. Ugh, the awkward search for friends in a new place. My brother Chris met Dean in 8th grade. Dean was a quiet and pretty weird kid. Once he was comfortable with us, he really loosened up. Chris is 7 years my senior and we shared a bedroom for a few years. OK, many years. We had had the typical brotherly relationship. He kicked my ass and I cried. Well, he just had fun at my expense. In case you need a clue, this writing is dripping with sarcasm. Chris easily messed with me on his own. Now that Dean was in the picture, things took on a whole new life.
Dean and Chris were devious and quite inventive when they combined forces. Having to deal with two evil geniuses was a test at times. I will tell some tales of the their"genius". Expert lock pickers, they constantly picked the bathroom lock while I was in the shower. This usually resulted in getting squirted with hand lotion and hair conditioner, getting thrown out of the house naked and doors locked behind me or being thrown in the poll with my left wrist handcuffed to my right ankle. Try swimming like that. The favorite of all was picking me up by my hands and feet and swinging me (as if to toss one in a pool) while our little dog, Whiskers, jumped, barked and bit me.
Dean was also known for exiting the room but grabbing my head and farting on me. He was also notorious for getting up and just leaving the house without saying a word, thus earning another nickname of "Gonzo". That was the enigma of the man. This man had a heart of gold. He would do anything for his friends and family. One of the smartest men I have ever known. He chose to be a police officer. He was awesome at what he did. However, he had a serious distrust of upper management. Dean had the education and common sense needed to be a chief of police in most places at a relatively young age. I can remember getting an email announcing his promotion to Sergeant at El Monte Police Department, the ever so eloquent title of "Hell Has Frozen", was attached.
Dean had been diagnosed with cancer. He fought and fought and gave all of his being. Unfortunately, the brave fight was not enough. Dean passed away just short of his 47th birthday. Sometimes you do not realize the sheer impact of a man until he passes and see the positive impact he had on so many. His impact was profound on me. Deano, I love and miss you everyday. We shall have a frosty beverage with the inn keeper someday, brother.
On December 30th, another man with a profound effect on my life, Chuck Love, passed away. Chuck was my boss while working at Pasadena Courthouse. I was familiar with Chuck for a few years before he and I were paired together as I was moved in the Civil Department. I had no clue about that litigation and my initial training was, let's just say was pitiful at best. So, Chuck made it his mission to make me an expert.
Chuck was a USC graduate, I will not hold that against him, and a graduate of Loyola Law School. Chuck was a history buff and loved to teach people by equating history and civil law in his sessions. Chuck taught me a lot. He was also a man that had some issues similar to me that we both had a tendency to catch the attention of administration. Unfortunately, it was not the positive attention that we garnered. We were able to commiserate and get through the adventures. He made it clear that he felt that I was smart and that I could do the job. I always appreciated his faith in my abilities. We also shared the fundamental belief that we always stand by our staff, even when they were wrong. We smacked them when we had to.
I did not realize the sheer effect of Chuck's guidance until January 4, 2014. This is the day of Chuck's funeral. It was then I had that overwhelming sense of the reality of his impact. Chuck was an American through and through. He wore an American flag tie most everyday at work. It was proper that the services ended as we all sang "America the Beautiful". I know that I never said it, but, Chuck, thank you for always having my back and being a teacher.
In 1980, we moved to Glendora. Ugh, the awkward search for friends in a new place. My brother Chris met Dean in 8th grade. Dean was a quiet and pretty weird kid. Once he was comfortable with us, he really loosened up. Chris is 7 years my senior and we shared a bedroom for a few years. OK, many years. We had had the typical brotherly relationship. He kicked my ass and I cried. Well, he just had fun at my expense. In case you need a clue, this writing is dripping with sarcasm. Chris easily messed with me on his own. Now that Dean was in the picture, things took on a whole new life.
Dean and Chris were devious and quite inventive when they combined forces. Having to deal with two evil geniuses was a test at times. I will tell some tales of the their"genius". Expert lock pickers, they constantly picked the bathroom lock while I was in the shower. This usually resulted in getting squirted with hand lotion and hair conditioner, getting thrown out of the house naked and doors locked behind me or being thrown in the poll with my left wrist handcuffed to my right ankle. Try swimming like that. The favorite of all was picking me up by my hands and feet and swinging me (as if to toss one in a pool) while our little dog, Whiskers, jumped, barked and bit me.
Dean was also known for exiting the room but grabbing my head and farting on me. He was also notorious for getting up and just leaving the house without saying a word, thus earning another nickname of "Gonzo". That was the enigma of the man. This man had a heart of gold. He would do anything for his friends and family. One of the smartest men I have ever known. He chose to be a police officer. He was awesome at what he did. However, he had a serious distrust of upper management. Dean had the education and common sense needed to be a chief of police in most places at a relatively young age. I can remember getting an email announcing his promotion to Sergeant at El Monte Police Department, the ever so eloquent title of "Hell Has Frozen", was attached.
Dean had been diagnosed with cancer. He fought and fought and gave all of his being. Unfortunately, the brave fight was not enough. Dean passed away just short of his 47th birthday. Sometimes you do not realize the sheer impact of a man until he passes and see the positive impact he had on so many. His impact was profound on me. Deano, I love and miss you everyday. We shall have a frosty beverage with the inn keeper someday, brother.
On December 30th, another man with a profound effect on my life, Chuck Love, passed away. Chuck was my boss while working at Pasadena Courthouse. I was familiar with Chuck for a few years before he and I were paired together as I was moved in the Civil Department. I had no clue about that litigation and my initial training was, let's just say was pitiful at best. So, Chuck made it his mission to make me an expert.
Chuck was a USC graduate, I will not hold that against him, and a graduate of Loyola Law School. Chuck was a history buff and loved to teach people by equating history and civil law in his sessions. Chuck taught me a lot. He was also a man that had some issues similar to me that we both had a tendency to catch the attention of administration. Unfortunately, it was not the positive attention that we garnered. We were able to commiserate and get through the adventures. He made it clear that he felt that I was smart and that I could do the job. I always appreciated his faith in my abilities. We also shared the fundamental belief that we always stand by our staff, even when they were wrong. We smacked them when we had to.
I did not realize the sheer effect of Chuck's guidance until January 4, 2014. This is the day of Chuck's funeral. It was then I had that overwhelming sense of the reality of his impact. Chuck was an American through and through. He wore an American flag tie most everyday at work. It was proper that the services ended as we all sang "America the Beautiful". I know that I never said it, but, Chuck, thank you for always having my back and being a teacher.
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