The Bitter Truth is that Sinead O'Connor was right to send an open letter to Miley Cyrus. She knows a thing or too about being making bad choices as a young artist and being manipulated. When I read her first letter it inspired me to write my own open letter to Sinead, an artist I met at the very start of her career and sadly, watched implode a short time later. Although it was many year ago I clearly remember the wide eyed girl with huge dreams. Mind you I won't draft 4 letters and start a feud. Mainly because I think Sinead can kick my ass. But back then she was lovely.
Dear Sinead-
I am writing you in the spirit of caring as a father and former music business representative. You may not remember me but I was there early on in your career. I was one of the first people you met your very first time in the USA. I may have been the first person ever to interview you. The year was 1986 and I was a college DJ. I got an ivitation to a party at Club Zero in Cambridge, Mass from Sony music's college rep Allen Klevan. It wasn't so much an invitation as a plea to attend an event featuring "A cool alternative Irish singer with an odd name." He then spoke the magic words any broke college kid wanted to hear: "Open Bar. Free Food. Bring as many people as you want."
When I arrived at the club it was empty. My four friends and I were the only other people there besides Allen, his girl and 2 other record business types. Then there was you. A stunning bald headed beauty dressed in leather with piercing blue eyes and big ass boots. You were an otherworldly vision with a beaming smile. We ducked into the ladies room to find some quiet for our interview. You spoke with joy of your music and your love of hip-hop. You impressed me with your pure passion and larger than life dreams. You seemed to be in total control of your destiny. Afterwords we hung out a little bit enjoying the free eats and open bar. Do you remember that night? Probably not. When I went back to my dorm I listened to the advance cassette I was given when leaving the club. It was your debut record: "The Lion & The Cobra" and just 3 songs in I realized what an amazing talent your were and how very soon the dream you talked about would come true. I felt lucky to have been at the party so early on. In a short time everyone in college knew your name and your songs.
By the time your released your second CD I was working at Capitol-Emi records and got to do marketing and promotion for it. I watched you soar and become a household name. Then I watched you crash. Crash hard. A series of bad choices seemed to plague you. Or were those manipulations? I watched you tear up the Pope's picture from a ringside seat at SNL. Was that your idea? Or did someone at the record company make you do that? I was there at the Garden State Arts Center when you refused to let them play "The National Anthem" before your show. Something they did at every show. Again who's idea was that. Yours? Or maybe an overbearing manager? Sadly, the next time I met you the joy in your eyes had been replaced by a bitter anger. Backstage in New York show I tried to talk to you, remind you of our interview, but you told me to "Piss Off!" and had your thugs close off the VIP area so you could sit alone. You appeared to be in total control of the situation but maybe someone was exploiting you?
I understand why you are so angry and bitter today. The years have not been kind. Your career suffered greatly from all those bad choices (career and otherwise) but I have to think that not all of them were forced on you. As an artist you made decisions and did things based on what you thought was right. You were young. You made mistakes. Everyone has to make their own choices. Including Miley Cyrus. Good or bad.
Let her make mistakes (as you did.) Hopefully she will learn from them (as you should have.) I agree that watching her pushing the sexy envelope by twerking on an award show is a bad idea. It reminds me of a just born baby foal trying to get it's footing. It was clumsy and awkward and bad. One day she may realize that.
As to your point of her being exploited? No. You blaming record companies shows how out of touch you are with the way things are. Miley is managed by her mother. Everything she chooses is her choice. There is no group of adult males making her wear too short shorts or be naked in a video. She is pushing the envelope to create controversy and record sales. It is brilliant modern marketing. Cold. Calculated and controlled. Liike the choices you made. Sadly, your bad choices destroyed your career while hers seem to be making her a bigger star. Sinead you were kind to send the first letter but after the 4th you seem like a sad former star trying to latch on to a younger talent and maybe it's time you went away. Again. And that's The Bitter Truth.
Dear Sinead-
I am writing you in the spirit of caring as a father and former music business representative. You may not remember me but I was there early on in your career. I was one of the first people you met your very first time in the USA. I may have been the first person ever to interview you. The year was 1986 and I was a college DJ. I got an ivitation to a party at Club Zero in Cambridge, Mass from Sony music's college rep Allen Klevan. It wasn't so much an invitation as a plea to attend an event featuring "A cool alternative Irish singer with an odd name." He then spoke the magic words any broke college kid wanted to hear: "Open Bar. Free Food. Bring as many people as you want."
When I arrived at the club it was empty. My four friends and I were the only other people there besides Allen, his girl and 2 other record business types. Then there was you. A stunning bald headed beauty dressed in leather with piercing blue eyes and big ass boots. You were an otherworldly vision with a beaming smile. We ducked into the ladies room to find some quiet for our interview. You spoke with joy of your music and your love of hip-hop. You impressed me with your pure passion and larger than life dreams. You seemed to be in total control of your destiny. Afterwords we hung out a little bit enjoying the free eats and open bar. Do you remember that night? Probably not. When I went back to my dorm I listened to the advance cassette I was given when leaving the club. It was your debut record: "The Lion & The Cobra" and just 3 songs in I realized what an amazing talent your were and how very soon the dream you talked about would come true. I felt lucky to have been at the party so early on. In a short time everyone in college knew your name and your songs.
By the time your released your second CD I was working at Capitol-Emi records and got to do marketing and promotion for it. I watched you soar and become a household name. Then I watched you crash. Crash hard. A series of bad choices seemed to plague you. Or were those manipulations? I watched you tear up the Pope's picture from a ringside seat at SNL. Was that your idea? Or did someone at the record company make you do that? I was there at the Garden State Arts Center when you refused to let them play "The National Anthem" before your show. Something they did at every show. Again who's idea was that. Yours? Or maybe an overbearing manager? Sadly, the next time I met you the joy in your eyes had been replaced by a bitter anger. Backstage in New York show I tried to talk to you, remind you of our interview, but you told me to "Piss Off!" and had your thugs close off the VIP area so you could sit alone. You appeared to be in total control of the situation but maybe someone was exploiting you?
I understand why you are so angry and bitter today. The years have not been kind. Your career suffered greatly from all those bad choices (career and otherwise) but I have to think that not all of them were forced on you. As an artist you made decisions and did things based on what you thought was right. You were young. You made mistakes. Everyone has to make their own choices. Including Miley Cyrus. Good or bad.
Let her make mistakes (as you did.) Hopefully she will learn from them (as you should have.) I agree that watching her pushing the sexy envelope by twerking on an award show is a bad idea. It reminds me of a just born baby foal trying to get it's footing. It was clumsy and awkward and bad. One day she may realize that.
As to your point of her being exploited? No. You blaming record companies shows how out of touch you are with the way things are. Miley is managed by her mother. Everything she chooses is her choice. There is no group of adult males making her wear too short shorts or be naked in a video. She is pushing the envelope to create controversy and record sales. It is brilliant modern marketing. Cold. Calculated and controlled. Liike the choices you made. Sadly, your bad choices destroyed your career while hers seem to be making her a bigger star. Sinead you were kind to send the first letter but after the 4th you seem like a sad former star trying to latch on to a younger talent and maybe it's time you went away. Again. And that's The Bitter Truth.
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