Did Melissa Etheridge totally ROCK at the Grammy's or what?

[complain jane]

I watched it the other night and thought she was friggen awesome. I just saw clips again on the Today show, they're doing a story about how many people were inspired who have cancer and lost their hair because of chemo.

I have to admit I was never a big Melissa fan until last year. I liked her music but wasn't real crazy about her like a few other people I know. Then a friend invited me to two concerts back-to-back in the city and we had to stand in the Roseland Ballroom. I though WTF have I gotten myself into? Standing? 2 concerts? Not even crazy about her?

Well I'll tell you that those were the absolute BEST concerts I've ever been to. She has SO much energy and interaction with the audience and is so unashamed* of who she is- the energy at both concerts was amazing. It's so different now when I listen to the songs she played at the concert since seeing her perform them live.

Anyway I thought the same thing all over again when I saw her perform at the Grammys with that bald head. I can only imagine what the energy was like watching that performance live. She just plain rocks! It's so awesome to see someone so completely comfortable with who they are- I wonder if she realizes how the risks she takes are such a gift to others.

*On edit: hope I didn't come off as using a bad choice of words. Don't misconstrue that line to mean that I think she should be ashamed of who she is. What I meant was that it's so refreshing to see her be herself loud & proud in this climate of RW hate.

[nickinSTL]

1. She was the best thing about this year's Grammys

IMO.

I'm not a big Janis Joplin fan, but I thought she was great.

[CatBoreal]

2. Melissa Etheridge ROCKS!

I have so much respect for this lady. She's amazing.

[Misunderestimator]

3. I saw clips of her yesterday, but none of the performance...

I totally get what you're saying, and, as a gay woman, I was damn proud of her too.

[complain jane]

16. and it was the perfect performance, too...

perfect for her energy.

[johnnie]

4. I have to say this

I know it isn't popular here, but I didn't think she was all that good. I have been reading here at DU about how great she was and is and I just don't agree.
She has a tendency to sing off key a lot in her live performances and she just doesn't impress me much.
I respect everyone's opinion, but I think she is a bit over-rated as an entertainer. Sorry...

[Misunderestimator]

5. You've a right to your opinion :)

But I love her. It's not offkey to me, it's passion... same way that Janis Joplin expressed herself.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. *coughing*

... but what if we don't have a high opinion of Joplin either?

[Misunderestimator]

9. Again... you've a right...

that's why there are so many genres and styles of music and musicians... I like a lot of them.

[johnnie]

8. Don't get me wrong

I think she is talented and I don't dislike her, I just think there are many just as good as she is.

[Misunderestimator]

10. There are ALWAYS many who are as good as those at the top...

or better... of course it's a combination of talent, appeal, stage presence, uniqueness and POLITICS... and luck... money helps. Melissa has added breast cancer awareness/gay rights/women's rights activist to all that, and I admire her for the package.

[johnnie]

11. I understand

And as for her politics, I salute and respect her. My point was more that so many people were talking about how much she "rocked" at the Grammys and what a great artist she is. I was commenting on her musical aspect.

[Misunderestimator]

12. Ok, but still, in my opinion, she rocked!

And I just saw the video. :P

[johnnie]

13. LOL

OK :hi:

[Misunderestimator]

14. :)

:hi:

[complain jane]

15. I'm with you. It's the whole package.

[readmylips]

6. I thought it was Demi Moore...

I was clicking around the channels and caught a glimpse of the Grammys, and there she was Demi Moore. I thought, she's making another movie with a bald head. Then, it was announced that it was Melissa. I jumped up and down with joy to see her. I knew she was fighting cancer but had not seen her in the news lately. You Go Girl!

Demi Moore got no beauty over Melissa.

[redqueen]

17. Why yes, I think she did!

I adore Janis to no end, so I was a little irked by the off-keyness, but I loved her performance regardless. I don't expect perfection from musicians. I love the soul and spirit of the performance more.

And I think her rolling her eyes after she sang, "didn't I make you feeeeeeeeel, like-a yoooooou were the ooooooonly ONE..." was PRICELESS!