tinawina: I can see him doing a Lady Gaga type thing. But he has built himself as something of a rock act too, so I think he would have to have that on the album as well.

I was thinking this too. I always see the discussion of relevance/commercial/etc. I admit, most of my musical tastes are NOT mainstream, so when I consider Adam one of the few artists I might be interested in post-show, maybe it’s a sign he isn’t a “commercial” artist. Still, I consider Lady Gaga rather “commercial” and I can see Adam being in that style, with a bit of a glam-rock edge. Also, I see no problem with him being niche and not being put in a box. Granted, I only liked Adam after Ring of Fire; before that I was rather indifferent, but slightly intrigued because of some random youtube clips.

Anyway, great article, MJ. I would love to read more about it.

I get calling out obsessive behavior, especially if ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dangerous for the artist and unhealthy for the fans who are acting on an obsession. But I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get generalizing people based on their age or gender.

Amen!

LOL, this is reeally random, but what does TPTB stand for?

The Producers Those Bastards aka The Powers That Be

Adult women dropping their real lives multiple times to follow a teen boy around the country, to concerts, meet and greets, and befriending his father, isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t normal. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d say the same thing about adult males who show up at Miley Cyrus shows sans kids. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just weird and inappropriate. My parents never had any interest in my teen idols but somehow AI seems to make it ok and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too bad. It is one thing to say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“that young man is a fine young singer, good for himà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and another entirely to seek out opportunities to make personal contact with him.

I was discussing people mistaking innocent behavior for obsessive behavior–going to more than one concert doesn’t equal obsessiveness. Spending your life savings following around an artist does. I also don’t think you have to fit a particular demographic to enjoy an artist’s music. If an adult male likes Miley Cyrus songs, then why is it creepy if he goes to her concert? Isn’t music about… music? If the adult male fan is going for a different reason that would be illegal if his desires are acted upon, then that would be creepy. But I don’t think we should generalize all people of a certain age or gender. It just makes it that much harder to be a fan of music when people expect you to limit yourself based on your image as opposed to the image of the artist you enjoy.

Does this age-appropriateness extend to TV as well? Is it wrong for me to watch cartoons sometimes? Should I feel ashamed that I watch teen dramas? If I like a song put out by Demi Lovato, is there something wrong with me?

I get calling out obsessive behavior, especially if it’s dangerous for the artist and unhealthy for the fans who are acting on an obsession. But I don’t get generalizing people based on their age or gender.

But do you try to find out what hotel they will be staying at and coincidentally book yourself there too? Do you follow the tour bus to find out which restaurant or bar the person is going to so you can coincidentally be there too? Do you try to get close to the band in order to get closer to the object of your obsession? do you bring expensive gifts? Do you feel entitled to a meet and greet or some other form of personal time outside the concert? If not, you arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

Wow… I do have work to do!!! Poor DC… I worry about his safety with this bunch of nutjobs.

If not, you arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

LOL LOL

ruh rohà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I resemble that remark!

But do you try to find out what hotel they will be staying at and coincidentally book yourself there too? Do you follow the tour bus to find out which restaurant or bar the person is going to so you can coincidentally be there too? Do you try to get close to the band in order to get closer to the object of your obsession? do you bring expensive gifts? Do you feel entitled to a meet and greet or some other form of personal time outside the concert? If not, you aren’t doing a good job becoming OTT. Work harder!

This entry on Idletard explains the whole bar story and has various pictures of all the stalkers.

Okay, first of all – that idletard site is pretty damn funny. But, OMG, I would die if I was one of those chicks. See, this is the problem with putting all of your photos on the net for the world at large to see. Not only is it scary the lengths these stalkers will go to to become head tard of the fantards, but it’s truly frightening how much the commenters knew about the stalkers themselves!

That is some crazy shit. Oh, and not to be cold, but I think those photos proved my theory about Idol stalkers not necessarily being what the mind conjures up when thinking of hot young groupies that rock stars want to bang. Just sayin.

I’ve said my piece far too many times on this board about the gifting thing. Suffice it to say, if you’re bringing gifts to someone you’re seeing in concert, you might be round the bend. I’ve always wondered if the givers put their home address in the gift somewhere, then get really pissed if the recipient doesn’t send a thank you note.

Oh, and if MJ really does write a book about crazy fantards, I so want to write the forward. It will be filled with expletives and get you in deep shit with your publisher, but it will be funny as hell, I promise.

being the type of fan to go to more than one concert

ruh roh… I resemble that remark!

LOL, this is reeally random, but what does TPTB stand for? Does it have something to do with idol producers?

Yes, TPTB = the powers that be (in this case, the producers)