Re: Peggy Lee

["Leah@Ryerson" <lstanwyk@acs.ryerson.ca>]

Ain't it the truth, Mr. Elevator!  Cheers!

> Elmer Elevator wrote:
>
> I don't have any problem at all believing your story about Peggy Lee.
> As consumers and audience members, all we get to see of artists is
> their art and their aspirations for perfection.
>
> Backstage, the quest for perfection is hell on the staff. That's just
> the way it is when you want things perfect.
>
> I'm lucky. I chose a kind of creative work that's almost entirely just
> me -- no orchestra, no band, no technicians, no partners. And I know
> how relentlessly merciless and -- well, bitchy -- I am on myself when
> I'm not perfect.
>
> I've always had the perception -- or projection or fantasy -- that GG
> was a lovely guy. But I wouldn't have wanted to be a technician or a
> supporting musician and get between him and his desire to make a
> perfect recording.
>
> The quest for perfection in art is beyond manners, beyond civility,
> beyond thoughtfulness. And now and then, after a lot of hurt feelings
> and bitter encounters, we get some beautiful music.
>
> Is it worth it? When you look at the CD collection that you've paid
> hundreds, thousands of dollars for, you're probably looking at a huge
> volume of hidden shouting and insulting and hurt feelings and
> bitterness.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leah@Ryerson <lstanwyk@ACS.RYERSON.CA>
> To: F_MINOR@email.rutgers.edu <F_MINOR@email.rutgers.edu>
> Date: Thursday, January 24, 2002 2:56 PM
> Subject: Re: Peggy Lee
>
> >My father worked with Peggy Lee on a few occasions at the Royal York
> in
> >T.O. and, although talented, he claims she was always very bitchy to
> the
> >band.  Oh well - talent and interpersonal skills do not necessarily
> go
> >hand in hand!  Cheers!
> >
> >L.S.
>