I stumbled upon some wonderful news today.
No, cancer has not been cured. I didn't win the lottery last night, although at $275M, I might play this weekend. And, the woman of my dreams revealed that, in fact, her real name is not Kristen.
But I stumbled upon wonderful news nonetheless.
Rock Star just might be returning to television.
The Mark Burnett music competition that had been on CBS for two seasons from 2005 to 2006 built a tremendously loyal fan base and drew rave reviews not for the show itself so much as for the house band.
What American Idol is to event-dom, to water-cooler discussion-inducing buzz, Rock Star was to music.
I always said it: Idol was for the television lover in me, and Rock Star was actually about the music.
Apparently, I am not the only one who feels this way. Burnett was recently quoted as saying that he is often harrassed by people who want this show back on the air, noting that it's probably gained more steam in death than in life.
And Burnett has said he is looking for a way to get Rock Star back on the air. He noted that the problem is in finding a rock band who needs a singer, and to him I say, "Phooey! You don't need that at all!"
Daughtry is the biggest rock band on the planet right now, and its lead singer earned his shot on American Idol for goodness' sake. The notion that an existing band or a collaborative group needs to need a new singer for this to work is completely ridiculous.
No, Rock Star was the music competition for the cool kids. For twentysomethings who hang out at rock bars. For everybody with a rock-n-roll fantasy of some sort. For musicians. For people who would never be caught dead watching Idol but who want something like this of their own.
And Rock Star's contestants were not prototype auditioners for something out of a Disney flick. They were pack-a-day, work-two-jobs-while-playing-in-three-bands-types-of-cats who spent any leftover time writing and writing and writing and writing. They were musicians' musicians.
The show itself was not without its flaws the first and only two years of its existence thus far. First and foremost, as entertaining as Tommy Lee and the rest of "Supernova" were as judges, they were massively unhip relative to the demographic who enjoyed this show.
On the other hand, Dave Navarro was a brilliant host and completely hip to multiple generations. Brooke Burke was perfect in her Ryan Seacrest role. And the house band ...
Besides being extremely successful on their own, with other groups of course, the Rock Star House Band was pretty much what sold the show to most Rock Star aficionadoes. They're tight. They're edgy. Their arrangements are creative without a hint of cringe, and they're a must if this show is to return.
As you can probably surmise, I'm stoked about the possibility that Rock Star could return, and over the next couple of days, I will show you what I think are the best five performances in American Idol history and the best five performances in Rock Star history and simply let the music make the case.
Labels: American Idol, Idol, music, rock star, television
You may already know this, but, The House Band recorded an album and have been touring with Paul Stanley of KISS as his band in his latest solo effort.
It also looks like some members of the house band are backing up the contestants on Rock the Cradle on MTV, which just started a few weeks ago...
Also, I believe that some of the members of the house band are backing up the contestants on Rock the Cradle,the new show on MTV.
Man I couldn't agree more. ROCKSTAR was the only reality show I could watch because it was less about the "drama" and more about the ROCK MUSIC. Dave absolutely owned that roll and spoke from experience. The fact that I liked INXS back in the 80's made the first go around interesting. Year 2 upped the stakes even more... although in the end they went for the gimick and not the rock.
I'd LOVE to see yet another season.
Oh man, I miss Rock Star... so much better than Idol.
I miss this show so much and I'm dying for another season! I still have DVR recordings that I absolutely won't give up from Season 2! Hands down the best and most entertaining in your face, keep you begging for more show - my 2 sisters and I all agree! Does anyone know if the houseband needs a lead singer, cause if so, why don't they just make the show about getting someone to front them?
I think this summer could have definitely been made better with a round of Rock Star. Especially with all the new wannabes playing Rock Band. I also agree that it's piffle that they have to compete for a 'specific band'. It was great for the first season but terrible for the second. The artists and the House Band were all better than Stupidnova. (Jason Newsted notwithstanding). I say get Magni back with the House Band and say hey, you get to go on tour with Magni and the guys if only you can sing good enough. Hell I'd try out. I probably sound better than Lukas, I just swallowed a cat, Rossi.
I would love to see that show back on tv. I was perfect for those of us that Idol doesn't do it for. Toby Rand should've won last season but I think Tommy Lee had a crush on Lukas or something... Please BRING IT BACK...... Even if you have to change the format a little. You don't need a washed up band from the past. Just my 2 cents worth. You could even bring back the top 5 from the last 2 years or something like that.
CJ Santa Cruz
I would love to see that show back on tv. I was perfect for those of us that Idol doesn't do it for. Toby Rand should've won last season but I think Tommy Lee had a crush on Lukas or something... Please BRING IT BACK...... Even if you have to change the format a little. You don't need a washed up band from the past. Just my 2 cents worth. You could even bring back the top 5 from the last 2 years or something like that.
CJ Santa Cruz