News item: Three “new” legends are appearing for the first time this week on the Norwegian Epic.
I used to have a pretty jaded opinion about people impersonating famous people. Who did they think they were, trying make a buck imitating an entertainer with oodles more talent, singing their songs? Wasn’t this just another form of plagiarism? How many Neil Diamonds did the world need? And if the entertainer were playing for the angels now, was there no respect for the dead?
Then Nancy, bless her heart, dragged me to an oldies concert in Vegas. Maybe “dragged” is a little harsh. It was The Coasters, The Drifters and The Platters. It was a terrific show. When it ended, and the entertainers mingled with those of us close to the stage, it occurred to me that despite the advertising none of these entertainers were old enough to be among the original Coasters, Drifters and Platters, who would be closing in on 80 now (there are an estimated 125 groups performing under the name Platters).
So what made them any different than the performers we derisively called impersonators?
That’s when my opinion of legends/impersonators changed. If they’re good at it, enjoy them. If they’re not, they won’t last. If the originals have made the permanent exit, it’s a reminder of what once was. Maybe you can’t have too many Neil Diamonds.
Because impersonators was kind of a 4-letter word, today they call these shows “tributes.” And if any of them were being done by your son or daughter, you’d be impressed with how talented they are, and they are.
On the Epic, Norwegian is moving into a fresh world of legends. This week, they’ve introduced Britney Spears (Katy Murdock. left, of Draper, Utah), Rod Stewart (John Anthony of Boston) and Michael Jackson (William Hall of San Antonio). They’re newcomers on the circuit for the Legends in Concert, which claims to be the pioneer of shows like this, and probably is.
As luck would have it, we’re planning to sail on the Epic in November. And yes, as the late Michael Jackson would put it: “I’ll Be There.”