interesting dish...
A cultural observation I have that this whole forum demonstrates is that there is a certain segment of society that has their icons. Usually this is typical (but not exclusive to) the gay population. For me, I have several icons that I border on worhsip/obsession to varying degrees (Robbie Williams to name one...Barbra, Boy, Dusty, Judy Collins to name others), but many of us who have these iconic lusts are gay or transgenders. Think about it...how many "straight" men & women are fascinated by those usually recognized by one name- Cher, Bette, Diana, Judy, and so one (*scary side note: Michael Jackson's worship turned him into a horror show). Not all of us have this behavioral trait though (and if we do it varies to degrees), and sometimes I wonder if it is a hold over (and hanger on) from adolescence? Of course, the forum here is a bit more esoteric which reflects the unique compilation that is these boards, but all the more interesting.
One possibility for this behavior is the attraction to the story behind the entertainer or performer. It goes beyond the music or artristy somehow. Usually their is some emotion that comes through in their schtick along with triumph and tragedy that is so appealing to us. There is that common element, if you think about it...
Hmmm, perhaps a little too philosophical for a Saturday morning. Maybe I should get back to wanting dish on Robbie...
And I think I want to go to Berlin in July to see him in concert...the tickets are available now on his website. I saw him the one time he was here in NYC in Oct 99 at the Hammerstein. One of his icons is Tom Jones, and it showed definitely (and I used to watch Tom Jones' tv show as a kid and be fascinated by his dancing & singing in those SO tight pants). But you could see the influence and idoltry- Robbie wore a Gucci suit at the start, which he worked his way out of as time went on, and just sweated & strutted like a fucking peacock through the whole show, mmmm...