Mr. Malcolm X Abram
The Akron Beacon Journal
44 E. Exchange Street

Akron, Ohio 44309 Mr. Abram,

Never have I read a review or commentary that forced me to sit and write a letter of response until now. Your review/dissection/commentary/dissertation/spew of the second season of CBS’s Rockstar prompted me to respond. As Carmen Electra & Dave Navarro’s assistant and friend, I feel compelled to defend them against your criticism and disregard.

I find your interpretation and use of the label “Replacement” remarkable. How many records, songs or tours does one need to play before they are no longer considered a replacement? Is Brian Johnson still just Bon Scott’s replacement and has he not created enough original work to be called the singer in AC/DC. Is Ringo Starr Pete Bests’ replacement? How many records do you think Metallica sold with Jason Newstead in the band? 10 Million? Maybe 30 Million. Do you think Ulrich and Hetfield regard Newstead merely as Cliff Burrton’s replacement or as a co-creator of the music of their band?

I’m sure you recognize how difficult it is today to find an audience and market yourself as a musician. I applaud Mark Burnett for creating a new avenue for aspiring artists to reach an audience. I can tell you that Rockstar was not created with the intention to “Cash In” or “Sell Out” by Mr. Burnett. I know him to be a die-hard music fan that grew up loving the music of INXS. He has found a way to broaden their audience while showcasing undiscovered talent. It was a deliberate decision not to show the audition process so no artist would risk humiliating scrutiny. The show is about the celebration of music, not glorifying people’s inadequacies.

Your comment that the female contestants never really had a chance at winning could not be more off base. Both Jordis Unga and Suzie McNeil were adored by the members of INXS and eliminating them was a brutal and difficult decision that they made with painful deliberation. While you might not see the beauty in it, but I would like to share a story that I heard at the wrap party for Rockstar: INXS. Tim Farris told me that Michael Hutchence loved water, the ocean and the rain. When it would downpour during an outside concert, Michael and the band would purposefully splash the audience to “wind them up”. It became a ritual that everyone got into. At Michaels’ funeral on a sunny Australian day, it poured during his service and all of his friends and band mates knew his spirit was with them. While INXS was deliberating on the winner of Rockstar last season, it began to pour suddenly in the middle of a seemingly beautiful Los Angeles day. Once again, his band mates knew Michael’s spirit was right there with them and he was embracing their decision.

What makes a “Media Whore”? Your attack on Dave and Carmen sounds jealous and petty. You may not share or agree with their career choices, but Dave and Carmen come to their decisions as honestly and true as I’m sure you follow your literary passions. Carmen loves to work and rarely has more than two days off. Never have I seen her take a job without earnestness and professionalism. Not only is Dave an Executive Producer and the co-host of Rockstar, he is the guitarist in the Camp Freddy Supergroup, the guitarist in his band Panic Channel, host of the Camp Freddy radio show on Indie 103.1 in LA, the co-writer/co-producer of a new TV drama, but he has created an internet radio community – SpreadRadioLive.com. You probably see this as “whoring”.

The Media is Carmen and Dave’s Medium. If Time magazine approached you to write an essay and you accepted, and than you wrote one for Newsweek, and then the New York Times, where along the way have you become a Media Whore?

Judging from the selection of articles you’ve written, it appears you understand the music world. Therefore, how can you not see that Mark Burnett has created a worldwide stage to embrace and celebrate the dwindling landscape of rock music as it exists today? I hope you take more consideration into your further articles but maybe it is out of your reach since you do not create or orchestrate the creation of art, you just describe it and give it legitimacy or lack thereof.

Regards,

Gregg Simon
Assistant to Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro