The Picture Hater! Options

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hey guys!I just found this writing by Tommy Lee at Motley's Facebook and I was wondering what you think about it... he calls himself "The Picture Hater"

"Dear Fans,
I f***ing LOVE my fans! And you know this!!!... If you asked anyone that knows me really well they would tell ya the same thing...Tommy loves his fans. He lives for this stuff. he eats,breaths music 24/7. They’ll also probably tell ya that he’s a down to earth grateful life lovin dude and a nice guy too. What I have a problem with is... Taking pictures! I hate it! Irritates the f**k out of me when people say...you owe it to your fans, they put you where you are, etc etc! I certainly dont owe anybody anything! When I bought all my Led Zeppelin records and concert tickets I didn’t say “one day these f**ers are gonna owe me a picture” It’s the least they can do for me!...wtf people? You dont admire something so that it can give back... You just cherish it! And to those who say..you should be grateful that people wanna take your picture maybe one day they wont want it!.... That day cant come soon enough! BTW..I’m not here to take pictures with you, I’m here to entertain you!
Nobody put me where I am but ME! They may have helped inspire me with their love for what I do...but I put myself right here where I want to be with a lot of hard work, practice, talent, luck, etc. What I do owe myself and others is being THE BEST I can be! And that’s making great music, being a good man, father, lover and human being! We all owe that kinda stuff to ourselves and each other. People do we really need a silly picture?... For what bragging rights? Really?.. Who f***ing cares! Someones not gonna believe you if ya dont have the proof pic?...then f**k em! I’d never go up to someone that I admired and bug them for a picture!! Why!.... I might say a quick hello...maybe a handshake?.. I dunno..it depends on the “situation”... Most people never consider the “situation”. Thats really important... Ya wouldn’t wanna handshake standing at the pisser in the mens bathroom next to me would ya?... And Yes thats happened to me too... Or when your eating a nice quite meal with your family some rude jackass comes up and asks for a picture! You cant even imagine what kinda crazy has happened to me. I understand the excitement and all but just take a second and think... Is this cool right now? Its called Consciousness; it’s the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within oneself. Be Conscious. So like I said.. The fastest way to get me to leave is whip out a camera! Maybe just say hello and I'll probably take ya home with me! Well I’d have to ask my girlfriend first! Hah!

Sincerely yours,
The Picture Taker Hater!
Tommy Lee"

[Ben Higgins]

I'm quite surprised that he would be so adverse to having his picture taken but I can understand how it would be annoying.

It's give and take though... although it was him who physically got his butt to where he needed to be, if it weren't for the fans buying the music, merch and tour tickets then he wouldn't be where he is, period.

I agree that people should be aware of when it is inappropriate to muscle in on somebody and ask for a pic, especially if you're with your family.. but aside from that, a quick snap is the least you can do. Put yourself in the shoes of your fans as much as you can.. it might be the only time they ever see you. If it makes their day then it's a very small gesture isn't it ?

If it's just some bozo who wants a snap with you just because they recognise you as 'Tommy Lee' or whatever and they're not remotely interested in what you do etc then that would grind your gears I'm sure.. maybe that's the kind of thing that's turned him off having pics taken..

[Bossie]

Most people's first reaction nowadays..oh my god ..quick picture!We have to share the moment on social media and friends and family.

Cause believe me...people need to see proof when you met a famous rockstar to believe it's true....but when you say there's a great supercreature in the sky that created life on earth and rulez us all ...they don't need proof and just believe it...strange ...

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Most people's first reaction nowadays..oh my god ..quick picture!We have to share the moment on social media and friends and family.

Cause believe me...people need to see proof when you met a famous rockstar to believe it's true....but when you say there's a great supercreature in the sky that created life on earth and rulez us all ...they don't need proof and just believe it...strange ...

hahahahaha funny comparison! It's true that the pic is like a proof of meeting a famous celebrity. It's also like a nice remembrance.
But I also understand Tommy's posture... It could be ok or not but he is being very honest.

[Ben Higgins]

But I also understand Tommy's posture... It could be ok or not but he is being very honest.

Yeah I don't think Tommy's wrong to feel the way he does or anything.. everyone's different, but I guess for my own sake I'd keep reminding myself of how lucky I was etc and stop myself getting frustrated at people. Bit of balance I guess

[Bossie]

I never really understood the 'autograph' thing....that should be annoying after a while..then again it's the weight of being succesfull..

[Azzaboi]

It's "the camera steals your soul" taboo!

[Mudbone]

Cause believe me...people need to see proof when you met a famous rockstar to believe it's true....but when you say there's a great supercreature in the sky that created life on earth and rulez us all ...they don't need proof and just believe it...strange ...

Yes, it is very strange

I can understand where Tommy Lee is coming from. He's probably been having people ask him for a picture for over twenty years, it must get irritating. In some ways it is kind of dehumanizing because people are treating him as an object and not as a person. As humans, we value other people based on their personalities and our interactions with them. Instead, they treat him like a statue from Madame Tussaud, as a body with no soul.

However, if its at a concert, then I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for a picture. This is what goes on at concerts - if you're a musician and can't deal with it, then maybe you need to find another line of work, or just don't be a live musician.

Also, I don't think he "owes" the fans anything per se. The transaction between him and the purchaser of his music ended the moment the album was paid for. There was nothing in the liner notes that said, " One free picture included with this purchase." This is a problem with our consumerist society - we think that as a customer, we must be treated as royalty, and must receive customer service that is nothing short of a thorough a$$ kissing.

I'm sure Buckethead and the guys from Slipknot don't have to worry about having their picture taken

[Ben Higgins]

I'm sure Buckethead and the guys from Slipknot don't have to worry about having their picture taken

Yeah I think they got the right answer

[Gabriel Leopardi]

I'm sure Buckethead and the guys from Slipknot don't have to worry about having their picture taken

and what about Kiss in their beginnings ???

[JTaylor]

Most people's first reaction nowadays..oh my god ..quick picture!We have to share the moment on social media and friends and family.

Cause believe me...people need to see proof when you met a famous rockstar to believe it's true....but when you say there's a great supercreature in the sky that created life on earth and rulez us all ...they don't need proof and just believe it...strange ...

I don't find it strange at all. It's this thing called "faith" and I find it a lot easier to believe than mankind originating from an amoeba. I guess all people that believe in evolution have pictures of it? I don't have pictures of the change God made in my life. I also don't even have an ultrasound of when I was just a little fetus. So, with no proof that I can touch, maybe all of that never happened either.

This post has been edited by JTaylor: Jul 2 2012, 12:03 AM

[JTaylor]

Also, I don't think he "owes" the fans anything per se. The transaction between him and the purchaser of his music ended the moment the album was paid for. There was nothing in the liner notes that said, " One free picture included with this purchase." This is a problem with our consumerist society - we think that as a customer, we must be treated as royalty, and must receive customer service that is nothing short of a thorough a$$ kissing.

Very true! John Travolta and Kelly Preston live a few miles from me and I feel sorry for them. I doubt they can go ANYWHERE in this town without people bugging him. Little things we take for granted (like stopping at McDonald's and not being interrupted) are actually luxuries for these people!
Maybe it's different in L.A. where there are so many stars, but I doubt it.

[Cosmin Lupu]

You know I understand this - as it was stated before, in the times we are living, the fact that you have known a famous person has to end up in taking a photo of that individual, instead of being able to hold the memory with yourself and make the most of the time given to be spent in the company of that person.

Back in 2008, I experienced this thought for the first time when I was sharing a step on a staircase with...Scott Henderson I went to see him perform in a club then and at the end of the show, he just came to sit on the staircase near me. We spoke a bit and I was thinking it was a good time to ask for a pic, but then, it suddenly came to me - why not just enjoy this conversation and forget about the damn pic! And so I did

It was the same with Andy James - I don't want him to feel like being at the display stage (some of my friends went pretty upset for not calling them to meet him ), the man went to eat and have a drink and a nice evening and that's what I intended it to be.

This post has been edited by Cosmin Lupu: Jul 2 2012, 09:57 AM

[Ben Higgins]

You know I understand this - as it was stated before, in the times we are living, the fact that you have known a famous person has to end up in taking a photo of that individual, instead of being able to hold the memory with yourself and make the most of the time given to be spent in the company of that person.

Back in 2008, I experienced this thought for the first time when I was sharing a step on a staircase with...Scott Henderson I went to see him perform in a club then and at the end of the show, he just came to sit on the staircase near me. We spoke a bit and I was thinking it was a good time to ask for a pic, but then, it suddenly came to me - why not just enjoy this conversation and forget about the damn pic! And so I did

It was the same with Andy James - I don't want him to feel like being at the display stage (some of my friends went pretty upset for not calling them to meet him ), the man went to eat and have a drink and a nice evening and that's what I intended it to be.

Yeah, that's a real respectful way of looking at things

[Opetholic]

I understand him and he has his reasons for not liking it but I think he could have delivered the same message in a politer and shorter manner he wrote too aggressively and too long to say "hey fans, I know you like to take my picture but I don't enjoy it so much so please don't ask for it" or something like that

[Gabriel Leopardi]

You know I understand this - as it was stated before, in the times we are living, the fact that you have known a famous person has to end up in taking a photo of that individual, instead of being able to hold the memory with yourself and make the most of the time given to be spent in the company of that person.

Back in 2008, I experienced this thought for the first time when I was sharing a step on a staircase with...Scott Henderson I went to see him perform in a club then and at the end of the show, he just came to sit on the staircase near me. We spoke a bit and I was thinking it was a good time to ask for a pic, but then, it suddenly came to me - why not just enjoy this conversation and forget about the damn pic! And so I did

It was the same with Andy James - I don't want him to feel like being at the display stage (some of my friends went pretty upset for not calling them to meet him ), the man went to eat and have a drink and a nice evening and that's what I intended it to be.

I use to have this same behavior, however if I ever met Slash I will want my pic!

[SirJamsalot]

Oh that poor soul. All these people want to be seen with him. My heart bleeds for people like this.really, it does.

[Alex Feather]

Hey guys!I just found this writing by Tommy Lee at Motley's Facebook and I was wondering what you think about it... he calls himself "The Picture Hater"

"Dear Fans,
I f***ing LOVE my fans! And you know this!!!... If you asked anyone that knows me really well they would tell ya the same thing...Tommy loves his fans. He lives for this stuff. he eats,breaths music 24/7. They’ll also probably tell ya that he’s a down to earth grateful life lovin dude and a nice guy too. What I have a problem with is... Taking pictures! I hate it! Irritates the f**k out of me when people say...you owe it to your fans, they put you where you are, etc etc! I certainly dont owe anybody anything! When I bought all my Led Zeppelin records and concert tickets I didn’t say “one day these f**ers are gonna owe me a picture” It’s the least they can do for me!...wtf people? You dont admire something so that it can give back... You just cherish it! And to those who say..you should be grateful that people wanna take your picture maybe one day they wont want it!.... That day cant come soon enough! BTW..I’m not here to take pictures with you, I’m here to entertain you!
Nobody put me where I am but ME! They may have helped inspire me with their love for what I do...but I put myself right here where I want to be with a lot of hard work, practice, talent, luck, etc. What I do owe myself and others is being THE BEST I can be! And that’s making great music, being a good man, father, lover and human being! We all owe that kinda stuff to ourselves and each other. People do we really need a silly picture?... For what bragging rights? Really?.. Who f***ing cares! Someones not gonna believe you if ya dont have the proof pic?...then f**k em! I’d never go up to someone that I admired and bug them for a picture!! Why!.... I might say a quick hello...maybe a handshake?.. I dunno..it depends on the “situation”... Most people never consider the “situation”. Thats really important... Ya wouldn’t wanna handshake standing at the pisser in the mens bathroom next to me would ya?... And Yes thats happened to me too... Or when your eating a nice quite meal with your family some rude jackass comes up and asks for a picture! You cant even imagine what kinda crazy has happened to me. I understand the excitement and all but just take a second and think... Is this cool right now? Its called Consciousness; it’s the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within oneself. Be Conscious. So like I said.. The fastest way to get me to leave is whip out a camera! Maybe just say hello and I'll probably take ya home with me! Well I’d have to ask my girlfriend first! Hah!

Sincerely yours,
The Picture Taker Hater!
Tommy Lee"

LOL! I have met Tommy Lee a while back at the party and caught him in the morning brushing his teeth with Jack Daniels! He is a super funny and very down to earth guy! About pictures I am not sure, but he sure had a lot of fun taking them with girls!:)
He is also a very funny guy so it might be a joke!

[Cosmin Lupu]

LOL! I have met Tommy Lee a while back at the party and caught him in the morning brushing his teeth with Jack Daniels! He is a super funny and very down to earth guy! About pictures I am not sure, but he sure had a lot of fun taking them with girls!:)
He is also a very funny guy so it might be a joke!

Now that's a bacteria killer! Jack Daniels Pearly Whites! If yer tooth paste ain't cleanin' our burbon gets those munchers spinnin'!

[Ben Higgins]

What is it with rockers / celebrities and their love affair with JD ? It's not even the best whiskey !!