Temperamental Artists

Over the years a professional in the music business will be exposed to an array of temperamental artists. Some of them may well be talented and others will just be pretending to be something special.  

Ordinary citizens view this line of work of backing singers and entertainers as exciting and interesting. They don't realize that every once in a while one will be exposed to a difficult individual that has little communicating skills where musicians are concerned and in any other line of work would be considered just plain obnoxious (read insufferable).

Looking back at many years of backing these "artists" a few of them will remain in your memory as just "bad" people.  The ones that give you a hard time are usually very insecure about who they are and come on "strong" to cover up their own inadequacies. After all, it's easy to blame the musicians for something you perceive isn't happening.

Some orchestra conductors can be viewed as just plain tyrannical.  However it should be noted that running an orchestra or band isn't a democracy.   The leader / conductor has to run a disciplined "ship" and musicians unfortunately can also be an unruly bunch of rebels. Factor into the equation that musicians can also be temperamental and this can leave the situation similar to running a "funny farm".

I remember one incident when I was working at a supper club in Windsor (Elwood Casino) and the singer / artist "ticked" off the band members at rehearsal.  It should be noted that half the band consisted of great musicians from Detroit and these guys just weren't going to be "leaned" on in a disrespectful manner.  

The singer soon realized (and this is rare) that the band was very talented and they would kill him opening night and the rest of the week if he didn't make amends. During the rehearsal he got the management to bring a few bottles of Scotch for the musicians to enjoy on their break and after that everything gradually turned around.

I have to admire the mentality of the players from Detroit.  As they said,” We have to play his music but we don't have to play it well".  It's pretty scary when you realize that the band or orchestra members can make or break you.

One artist brought his own pompous conductor from Europe.  The singer was going to be backed in LA by that town's best.  The conductor (tyrant) started the rehearsal by giving the musicians a lesson in playing together. It might be considered Conducting 101.   He started it off by saying in an authoritive manner (indicating with his baton), "Here is where my down beat is. This is where my second beat is." and so on.  

The lead trumpet player (Al Porcino) who listened to this lecture along with the other players spoke up. He said, "Mr. Conductor.   We respect this guidance but do you mind if I still tap my foot?"   Hmm?

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