SoundPress.net Feature Article: Tommy Lee: Holding Himself Down

TOMMY LEE: HOLDING HIMSELF DOWN
A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Jim Pepe

ROCK THE PENTHOUSE: TOMMY LEE PRIVATE CONCERT
B.B. KING BLUES BAR & GRILL - SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2003

Jan. 19 (New York, NY) -- Poor Tommy Lee. He so wants to be perceived... accepted... respected as an artist and songwriter, yet despite his best efforts he just can't seem to get out of his own way. This modern rock star's quandary was all too apparent at the Rock The Penthouse Private Tommy Lee Concert, sponsored by Penthouse Magazine and Clear Channel Radio and held at B.B. King Blues Bar & Grill in midtown Manhattan on Saturday, January 18, 2003.

Tommy Lee: Out front and still outrageous.

Don't mistake my meaning. As a fellow songwriter and performer, I greatly admire Mr. Lee's ambition, and I am not unimpressed with his frontman and songwriting abilities. "Hold Me Down," the first single off his debut solo release, is a strong, nearly anthemic cry for respect with a memorable chorus. What's more, Mr. Lee is a natural-born entertainer and he exhibits surprising competence on guitar, albeit playing mostly simple power chord progressions with plenty of distortion. But that's really not the point. The point is that wherever Mr. Lee goes, now and in the future, he is at risk of forever being overrun by his past. Unfortunately, as affable and fun-loving as Mr. Lee can be, he is clearly not yet polished enough to stave off certain demons that might distract from his raw, earnest and often powerful solo artistic effort.

At the Private Concert, all was well for Tommy Lee and bandmates as they opened their show with force, ripping along gamely through the early portion of their set with plenty of energy and excitement. Let's face it, Mr. Lee, a larger than life figure in part but not solely because of his dating and video histrionics, is an experienced performer, if not frontman, and he carries his entertainment duties well in his new role.

Yet the mere concept of Penthouse Magazine partnered with Tommy Lee and the presence of at least four Penthouse Pets at the venue threatened to be constant reminders of Mr. Lee's reputation, nibbling away ever so insidiously at the focus of Mr. Lee as artist. Near the midpoint of the show, the Penthouse Pets were brought on stage for no other reason than to flaunt their decolletage. For Mr. Lee, this clearly would not suffice, so in a fit of unwitting eagerness to please the crowd, he asked, cajoled and then demanded the Pets expose their upper regions. In Mr. Lee's poignant and pithy words, "This is a Penthouse party so you better show us your titties!"

Had Mr. Lee or his handlers given this scenario even just a shred of thought, then the following scene could not possibly have been unexpected. One of the more daring Pets grabbed the microphone and upped the ante, imploring Mr. Lee to show his axe... drumstick... 5^th band member. The script was now flipped. To add inches to inquiry -- and to the dismay of Mr. Lee and the predominantly male audience (it was a Penthouse promotion after all) -- the emboldened Pet pressed on. Inexplicably, Mr. Lee was completely flustered by the Pet's brazenness, and once it was clear that the ladies weren't loosening their bustiers without Mr. Lee loosening his drawers (which he thankfully and smartly declined to do), all bets were off. An impetuous and clearly stunned Mr. Lee then spat out, "Hell, if we can't get Penthouse Pets to show their titties at a Penthouse party, then don't buy the damn magazine!"

By now, the damage was done. The confrontation resonated in the air like a bad note for the rest of the evening. Too bad too. For a while on this bitterly cold winter's evening, Tommy Lee was where he wanted to be, fronting his own band, singing his songs, grinding out the chords on his own guitar, bathing in his fans' perception... acceptance... respect for his artistry, and nothing more.

Related Links: For more information on Tommy Lee and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Official Site | "Never a Dull Moment"

(Originally Published on February 06, 2003)

Please add a link to SOUNDPRESS.NET today!

For music industry promotion and advertising information:
PLEASE CONTACT US AT -- PHONE: 973.556.5400|E-MAIL

SOUNDPRESS.NET DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for any third party transactions made through the companies and vendors linked on this site. Please contact those businesses directly regarding sales and service.