We chose an article from Rolling Stone magazine called “Bringing it all Back Home” by David Fricke. This is the cover story about Bruce Springsteen and a close up into his dream. Briefly, this article is about his start into music, his first band, his first single, etc… It also goes on to tell about where his he is today with his third album. We chose this magazine because it was on the shelf and it appealed to Michelle when she was at the store. The general audience for this magazine is musical entwined people. More in depth, he or she can be of any age and any gender. However, it is not just any musical audience, it appeals to the people that want to go deeper with the musicians; they want to know what is going on in their lives, things about them that you may not be able to google, and what they are all about. This audience wants comments from the musician and not close friends or sources. They want direct comments. This particular issue can also appeal to Bruce Springsteen fans that want to know more about him than just his music. This overall audience is about more than the music.
-Sage
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The identification in our article was depicted through the numerous photographs of Bruce Springsteen himself, but one in particular stood out. He's sitting in his living room (family room? Den? Study? You get the idea) on the couch, surrounded by "normal people" things and decorations: picture frames with loved ones, guitars, books, tissue, candles, and other various items. He looks down towards the coffee table (where, the caption says, is the table where he wrote many of his songs), very reflective and inviting. We, the viewer, are able to identify with Springsteen because he's in an element that is common to that of our own. He's not over the top or grandiose in his living conditions--he's simple, normal, and just hanging out and relaxing like non-rock Gods usually do.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find interesting is the caption at the corner of the page. It reads: "Bruce's Retreat. Springsteen's 'writing room' contains family photos, the desk on which he wrote many of his albums, gifts from fans, and a collection of hotel keys from tours. 'My identity, what people are connecting with--those things are set firmly,' says Springsteen. 'At my age, those things aren't supposed to inhibit you-they are supposed to free you.'"
Before I read that caption (and even noticed it, to be honest), I understood everything the caption was saying just by looking at the photograph. I could tell he was comfortable with the things around him that made him feel "at home," the things with which he identified. I'm sure many people identify with similar sentimental things that Springsteen does. The fact he is this multi-decade, super famous rock star and *still* has those deep connections--and that this photograph in particular depicts it--shows that Boss isn't such an untouchable creature after all. From this picture, we see he's just like you and me. He's just like you and me, yet he's a guy who writes best-selling music for a living; he just happens to be a multiple Grammy winner; and he just happens to be in one of the biggest bands of our generation.
As Sage touched on, Rolling Stone magazine, to me, is a magazine for more than people just interested in music. It's a magazine for musicians themselves who are trying to kick-start their career and be just like Bruce Springsteen. The article's main focus was Springsteen's early life and beginning of his career. He talked about his very first bad, the pitfalls of just starting out, the fear of failure. People who are aspiring musicians/rock stars can relate (and identify) to that because, hey, if *Bruce Springsteen* had a hard time struggling and he made it big, then certainly some Joe Simpleton can, too.
Oh, yeah... that post above was done by me, Michelle. I forgot to add my name. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteReally good job analyzing this Rolling Stone article--I'll give it back to you, Michelle, on Monday. I also like your discussion of Rolling Stone and audience. The audience is way more varied and broad than I think it used to be with wider appeal and Bruce Springsteen is iconic of American music in a lot of ways. The pictures reinforce this--as you all explain. Good work once again.
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