Driven by a misquoted Rolling Stone interview, false rumors have been circulating that John Mayer called fans of the wildly popular videogame, Guitar Hero, “Fake Wannabes.” While some websites are using the quote as attributed to Mayer, no such quote could be found in the interview.
Here is how Mayer responded when asked about playing guitar hero:
“I don’t ever want to be the kind of guy who rails against whatever progress has taken place. But Guitar Hero was devised to bring the guitar-playing experience to the masses without them having to put anything into it. And having done both, there’s nothing like really playing guitar. I mean, what would you rather drive, a Ferrari or one of those amusement-park cars on a track?”
[From Rolling Stone.com]
Clearly Mayer recognizes the fun in playing Guitar Hero, but is pointing out that the investment in practicing real guitar leads to a whole different experience. Guitar Hero is a game, playing guitar well is an art from. Mayer’s take here seems fair enough: don’t confuse a game that simulates an experience with the real thing.
Mayer does not, like some websites are reporting, dis fans of the game by calling them posers or wannabees. But maybe he should have. While playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band can be a great party game, we all know a guy who has a few too many beers and monopolizes the TV for hours, convinced that tapping colored buttons on a plastic toy in time to a cartoon is his ticket to rock stardom. You know the guy we are talking about. And if he puts on a mask and coveralls to play Slipknot’s “Before I Forget,” Celebitchy recommends intense psychotherapy.
Picture note by Celebitchy: Here’s John Mayer getting pulled over on Tuesday for driving with expired tags on his car and no license plates, thanks to WENN.
I don’t think John has quite got the idea, you see Guitar Hero is for ROCK music, not crybaby wuss music.
Oh Lord, again I want to talk about South Park, but I won’t. His analogy is right on, actually playing the guitar is so much more gratifying and an actual accomplishment and skill.
That being said, I am an avid Rockband player, and it is awesomely fun. I do the singing though, I have to be able dance and clap and shit…it’s what makes me feel alive.
🙄 Did he really think he’d be able to drive around with no licence plates?
Who gives a damn what this fuck nut has to say?
Here’s the thing, I’m sure that if you are a guitarist you play for the creative, technical aspects…blah, blah, blah…
When I play Guitar Hero (Which I have devoted countless hours of my life too 😀 ) I do it to make an animated crowd go wild. And score points. And to mercilessly slay my husband’s score.
Who cares about anything that John Mayer says. Why must celebrities comment on everything? Like they have such superior ideas and thoughts to the rest of us!
He’s a musician, so of course that’s his opinion – he’s not wrong either. I thought he worded it pretty well.
Reminds me of this by the way:
http://xkcd.com/359/
he makes poop faces when he sings.
Oh please, I hate it when elitists pull this crap about Guitar Hero.
That’s like saying those who play racing games are wannabe drivers or that playing Zelda makes you a wannabe elf.
I mean, they are video games, for God’s sake! I love Guitar Hero and I don’t see it as a replacement for the real thing. I see it as a game.
I live for Star Power
John Mayer. Douchebag of the Year.
Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will add backlink – bookmark this site? Regards, Reader.
I think I like this guy “John Mayer” 😉
I guess it’s the same as choosing between playing football and playing FIFA on Playstation.
It’s up to you to choose: respect or easy fun
hello! Can I ask what theme are you using in your blog? thanks!
You guys had a choice of what to call yourselves. You chose poorly. Live with it.
I love John Mayer. He’s songs are great.