This Is Rock'N'Roll!

Hey Guys and Girls,

Two video's of two rock'n'roll sensations destroying their equipment on stage. The epic guitar smash and drum kit smash have been pioneers in defining what is "rock'n'roll". Everyone has had a moment in their life where they have seen a video or any type of footage of a band destroying their gear on stage. Whether it is an explosion or just throwing around instruments.

The infamous "Who" video is pretty shocking in my eyes. Normally i can really accept the fact that a band smashes their gear and to be honest I really enjoy it and think it is entertaining and "classic". Still, this situation was different in my eyes because it really unsafe. Keith Moon decided to use more explosives than planned without notifying the band. This got in the way of the bands safety. While Pete Townsend was smashing his guitar I found it all great but the moment the explosion occurred I was really shocked. Smashing instruments and things in that nature I find valid in the particular form of art that is rock'n'roll but using explosive I think goes a step to far. It did not offend me but it did simply shock me!

The example of Jimi on the other hand really defines the perfect guitar smash in my eyes. This video is so legendary and it contains so much emotion. It just really impressed me and almost made me want to play guitar! In comparison to the other video (The Who) Jimi at least keeps the aggression to himself and does not to much in the way of the other band mates safety. He keeps it to himself as you should. The fact that this video has the potential of actually influencing people in a positive way really gives me a "liberating" feeling. I am totally not offended by these images. I just see this video as a legendary piece of footage which changed the view on rock'n'roll!

To conclude I think smashing your instruments is destruction but I also believe it is a valid thing to do (if you desire) within the art form . Showing emotion by smashing your instruments almost seems to be something that has been accepted into the "world of rock" and we can thank all the old and legendary rock sensations for this. JIMI YOU ARE MY HERO!

Cheers and thanks to reading,

Drew