Gays and Prog Rock

I agree that no one should care or put any emphasis on whether a prog musician is gay or not, and yes it is like making a cheese lovers/prog thread. However, I think the person who started the thread just finds comfort that some of the musicians they like share the same values. I know I'd be all jazzed if Geddy Lee's favorite cheese was 2 year aged Sharp White  Cheddar.(my favorite) It wouldn't matter if he didn't like it, but as stated before-it'd be nice to know if me and him shared something in common. Just a thought...

Edited by zachfive - May 28 2009 at 11:49

Slartibartfast wrote: Well, consider it resolved then.  Now are there any gay cheeses out there?

I can out some gay cheeses, no problem. I once had a passionate affair with a piece of blue Wensleydale.

Hercules wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: Well, consider it resolved then.  Now are there any gay cheeses out there?  I can out some gay cheeses, no problem. I once had a passionate affair with a piece of blue Wensleydale.

Yes, you can out gay cheeses, but if they get upset about it you should definitely run away.

Nothing more dangerous than a cheesed off cheese.


Edited by Slartibartfast - May 28 2009 at 20:02

Hercules wrote: As a gay man (first time I've mentioned this on here), I couldn't agree more. There are far more gays/bisexuals in prog than those you have mentioned; I know because I was active in both the prog and gay scene in London in the 70s/80s. But I'll be damned if I'm going to "out" anyone.  A person's sexuality is his/her business. It doesn't affect their music, so please don't pry.

In my post above your original quote I said: "I am only interested in musicians who are out, not figuring out or outing closeted musicians."  I am not here to pry! I just wanted to know who was already out and proud in prog music.

I am not of the opinion that people should be pushed out of the closet if they are not ready. (Except maybe closeted politicians and religious leaders who push for anti-gay agendas. Those hypocrites!). Each gay person should have their own timetable as to when, and if, they want to share something this private with others. In my case, it took me the better part of a decade to fully be out of the closet (from the first time I told a friend, to my family, and at my workplace).

zachfive wrote: However, I think the person who started the thread just finds comfort that some of the musicians they like share the same values.

Thank you, zachfive! I don't care if a person is straight or gay. It doesn't make me like their music less either way!

However...

I do applaud and wanted recognition for those progressive musicians who are already out, because it is those brave souls who are role models for others that follow.  That was the reason behind my initial post.


Edited by catfood03 - May 28 2009 at 19:34

One of the musicians from Il Balletto di Bronzo is (now) openly gay I've been told. I think it was the keyboardist.

Then there's ney matogrosso from (the atleast progrelated) Secos & Molhados. Not even Shakira can move her hips like that:



Flores Astrais (beautiful song)

Speaking of gay, if you consider yourself to be so do find Zappa's He's So Gay song to be offensive or funny?

Edited by Slartibartfast - May 28 2009 at 20:04

Here's an excerpt, it gets more naughty at the end:
"He's so gay
He's so gay
He's very very gay
He's so gay
He's so gay
And he likes to be that way
With his keys all on the right
He's into rubber every night
He's so gay
He's so gay
He's almost everyone today

He's okay
He's okay
He's got a role he wants to play
He's okay
He's okay
He's just a cowboy for a day

Of course, his evening's not complete
Without some meat in the seat;
Let's skate away
Down santa monica today"

Then there's Keep It Greasy...
To be fair he also insulted Catholic Girls on Joe's Garage.
French cheeses?  Gay?  Aw, come on.  Mon Dieu!!!



Edited by Slartibartfast - May 28 2009 at 20:05

catfood03 wrote: Ha! Yup, that sounds like Zappa humor alright!

I hope I'm not treading into personal territory but how do you find that humour? I love Zappa and completely understand it's irony (well I think I do a anyway) but do you find it offensive?

kenethlevine wrote: In fact, one buddy and I often joke about how, in our perfect world, a gay vacation cruise would feature Maddy Prior (of Steeleye Span) as entertainment instead of some overwrought Streisand or Celine wannabe!  I too applaud catfood03 and hope you stick around.

I'd rather be entertained by Geddy Lee impersonators than Cher ones (well, hmmm maybe I should think that over).

Thanks, I hope to be around here for awhile (I've got some more reviews I want to write!)

Catfood03, you said you like the heavier stuff of Mike Patton. Did you know that Roddy Bottum, the keyboardplayer in Faith No More was more or less the first to come out as gay (in 1993) in metal?

Gorgoroth's Gaahl must be the first to come out of the Norwegian (or any) Black Metal scene.



A side note, but among the 20th century composers there's quite many: Benjamin Britten, Aaron Copland, Karol Szymanowski, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Gian Carlo Menotti, Francis Poulenc, Manuel de Falla, John Cage, John Corigliano and moog pioneer Walter (Wendy after the sex change) Carlos mm...

This guy I used to know (who's a gay Residents/Kraftwerk-nutter) said that the worst part about being gay is ABBA!