Jul 10, 2016 2 min read

It was as if an egg had blown up in the face of PBS when it was forced to apologize for airing old fireworks footage during its recent coverage of the Fourth of July festivities in Boston. The skies were not very favorable for fireworks, so the network decided to switch, thereby drawing comical comparisons to Milli Vanilli, the disgraced 1980s pop duo that was caught lip-syncing to other singers.

I don’t think the fireworks fiasco was as disheartening as the bland bands on the stage in New York City during the Macy’s festivities.

I’d never heard of most of the acts, but I’m always open to seeing what the current generation has to offer. Sadly, they presented more of the mindless, repetitious and unintelligible lyrics to which we’ve been subjected for about the last 20 years or so. One of the acts featured a girl who appeared to be auditioning for “America’s Got Talent,” or its more entertaining ancestor, “The Gong Show.” I’ve heard better singing at karaoke bars and in the showers on Navy ships I’ve served on.

My generation, and previous ones, were told by their parents their music was just too wild and crazy. If only we could get back to those days. I’ll take wild and crazy over mild and lazy any day.

There are some brilliant stars in the musical sky. Adele is a treasure, and then there are young whippersnappers like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Billy Joel and Bob Dylan, who continue touring only because they love – and live – to perform.

For them, it’s no longer about the money. But when they are gone, the sound of fireworks, live or recorded, will be more pleasing to the ear than what is pitifully passed off as musical entertainment.

Vin Morabito

Scranton