A couple weeks ago in class we watched a video of Frank Zappa doing an interview for austrian TV. The interviewer asked Zappa about the Cadillac he arrived in and pokes at the irony of the situation. Basically saying what right does Zappa have to be criticizing american culture and values, especially for the emphasis that is put on materialism, when here he is pulling up in a luxurious Cadillac. You can definitely see Zappa getting irritated and defensive, answering with something along the lines of "well if someone gave you a nice car wouldn't you take it?" The two go back and forth for a bit and later we see a video of them making a joke of the situation.
This left me wondering about artists who build a career based on the rebellion against popular culture. What is supposed to come of them if they find not only popularity but financial success? Exactly what are they expected to do with their wealth? If they continue to devote themselves fully to their craft then does it justify having things like Cadillacs - something that potentially represents all that they stand against? When does indulgence become overindulgence?
I think this puts fans in a difficult position because really, what do we expect? Do we expect them to entirely reject any form of payment in an attempt to preserve their image or is there a certain amount of dollars an artist should accept before they simply refuse to take anymore? Because unless society completely alters its way of functioning, it's inevitable that one needs money to survive which makes it difficult to judge someone based on how they choose spend it.
Ultimately, the reality is that no human is perfect and Frank Zappa wasn't exactly in the business to win the Mr. Popularity contest. So how do I feel about Zappa rolling around in a swanky Cadillac? To be perfectly honest, it doesn't bother me much at all. So far it seems that his financial success never hindered the integrity of his music but, in fact, enhanced it -- in terms of music, if you have more money it usually means better production, better musicians and the means to take projects to a whole new level. Then why is it that Zappa got defensive when this whole issue came up? Maybe because he does see the irony and it frustrates him or maybe because it only further proves how narrow minded people can be, all of a sudden forgetting his work as a musician to focus on an insignificant detail like what kind of car he drives.
I suppose I'm left to wonder, if someone were to offer me a nice car would I take it? I don't know. Probably. But I guess it depends, I'd have to let you know if that ever happens.
Would you?
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