Best Music Moments of 2011
For me, 2011 was a year of musical extremes. Music lovers were bombarded with an influx of "lazer voice" and singers in wacky costumes. While at the same time, the industry fell in love all over again with the singer-songwriter. Collaborations were everywhere and 90% of them featured Rihanna ... seriously, girl, we love you, but please go away for a little while in 2012.
Looking back over the year, lots of moments stood out but these are my 11 Most Memorable Moments in Music from 2011!
#11. Rebecca Black
I hate to even talk about this because it is so disgusting, but this girl was a tell-tale sign of everything that is wrong with the music business -- and the entertainment industry in general. The song was bad, but suddenly we all knew the words.
MORE: Rebecca Black's Friday is Most-Watched Video of 2011
#10. Esperanza Spalding wins the best new artist Grammy over Justin Bieber
The entire twitter-sphere was about to explode when someone other than Justin Bieber won the Grammy for Best New Artist. The Grammys are voted on by the music industry, with no say from the 14 girls who run the internet. I have no problem with the outcome of this award, but I believe the bigger problem was in how the show was programmed. Grammy Awards -- you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Don't have all of the pop culture darlings nominated and performing so that people will tune into the awards show, and then give all the awards to the indie darlings no one has ever heard of so that you can remain super credible.
#9. Christina Aguilera doesn’t know the lyrics to the National Anthem
Neither do I. I cannot sing. I could not sing in front of 5 million people. The lady just got divorced, has a two year old and serious hair extension issues to worry about. Let's all cut her some slack.
#8. Lady Gaga releases Express Yourself
Ahem, I mean, Born This Way.
#7. Amy Winehouse Dies at 27
A famous record producer once told me, "There are handfuls of musical geniuses who think that the music business, and all of its drugs, booze and lifestyle will never affect them. It is never true." Losing Amy was one of the saddest moments of the year. She had a legendary voice. RIP.
MORE: Posthumous Winehouse Video Released
#6. Justin Bieber's Baby-Mama Drama
I was backstage at Dancing With the Stars the night Bieber performed. I watched the host of the show, Brooke Burke, try to get her little kids an autograph or photo with the Biebs. She was denied. There is no way possible that this girl got backstage to "get it on" with the Biebs. I think what we should have been focusing on all year, is that Bieber is letting people dress him in purple rhinestone encrusted leather. Now that blows my mind.
#5. Katy Perry's Boobs
2011 was the year of Katy’s boobs. Sure, she broke into history when Last Friday Night gave her the fifth #1 off Teenage Dream tying Michael Jackson's record, but her boobs had cupcakes, lime green spandex, spikes and that Elmo T-shirt on them. Everywhere I turned, there they were. Someone get them a twitter handle!
#4. R.E.M. broke up
Everybody Hurts. Especially when one of the best bands ever breaks up. RIP REM.
#3. Matt Nathanson releases Modern Love and I bought it on vinyl.
That was a seriously amazing moment for me. Seriously.
MORE: Fangirl-ing Over Matt Nathanson
#2. The Voice
After years of American Idol and its squeaky clean, perfectly styled image, The Voice won over America with its blind auditions. The final two, Dia and Javier, were poster children for record label deals gone wrong. They were given their second chances on a massive stage, everyone was watching and we all wondered where we could get a chair like that.
#1. A new musical fangirl was born!
After attending rock shows in LA every night of the week, and having my record player where my TV should be, the folks over here at TheInsider.com gave me the chance to go "fangirl" over artists and ask the questions that the fans want to know. I hope all of you have been enjoying my musical journey this year and I wanted to say thanks for checking out all my crazy adventures! I would love to know who you would like to see me fangirl over in 2012. Leave a comment below!
