How many more near tragedies do our musical greats have to endure before we take their safety seriously? We all remember how Mozart almost self-immolated while setting his violin on fire for a performance at Salzburg, an audience pleaser later stolen without credit by the shameless Jimi Hendrix. Then there was the time that Irving Berlin threw out his back and had to stay in traction for six months after playing piano with the back of his feet for a rousing rendition of "White Christmas" -- those who were there say they will always remember the lighters being flicked in unison and the shouts of "Rock it, Irv, rock it good!" And who can forget the day in Madrid when Andres Segovia lapsed into a coma after being hit on the head by a bank of Marshall amps when he cranked the decibel level up to 135 to beat the record set by Led Zeppelin in 1969?
Maybe this shocking incident is the one that will finally wake us up:
During the opening bars of her hit "So What," a video posted online shows dancers helping Pink into her harness. "Shall we do it?" she asks the crowd. "I can't hear y'all! Are y'all ready?"
Then, she shouts "No! No!" as the wires pull her off the stage and falls into the crowd. The music stops, as Pink says from beyond the camera's view, "Oh, f---, that hurt like a mother----er. Sorry."
Come on, people, do we have to lose Pink -- leaving Lady Gaga out there on her own to inspire us -- before we come to our senses and pass some sensible safety regulations? Musical performers who are willing to share their greatness not only through music and lyrices but also give us the benefit of their ability to fly through the air with harnesses should be protected. They must be required to wear helmets, goggles and knee and elbow pads. I'm not sure how they'd work yet, but we should also discuss seat belts.
I know this is a departure from my usual libertarian "people should not be deprived of their right to make stupid decisions" philosophy, but this is musical genius we're talking about. A certain tolerance of deviation from the norm is required.
