The use of a teleprompter and other means of getting through a set has come under scrutiny recently. It fell into the spotlight when footage of Motley Crue using a teleprompter for The Stadium Tour went viral; Vince Neil in particular has received a lot of criticism. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister has thrown his thoughts into the discussion.
Specifically, he noted that he himself does not use tools like that and attributes it to keeping his brain in good health by not damaging it with substances like drugs and alcohol. He clarified his statement is not one of criticism, and others in the industry have defended the use of similar devices for performances.
Dee Snider addresses the teleprompter debate
After the fallout from Neil’s use of a teleprompter, Riki Rachtman, who hosts Headbangers Ball, defended the move, saying, “So Motley Crue used a teleprompter. Really who fuckin cares. Did you have fun at the show? That’s what matters. A lot of bands have used teleprompters – STOP looking for reasons to criticise. Recorded vocals an artist not caring is bad, but teleprompters? Who cares?”
True that! MOST bands are using teleprompters. Not me, but I didn't kill a lot of my brain cells with drink and drugs (not a criticism. More of an explanation). STOP being so damn critical and just enjoy seeing the people you love on stage! Now lip synching is another story! https://t.co/HyadH77d4h
— Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) July 9, 2022
RELATED: The Truth About Milli Vanilli’s Lip-Sync Scandal
Snider backed this view of the matter. “True that! MOST bands are using teleprompters,” he noted. He continued, “Not me, but I didn’t kill a lot of my brain cells with drink and drugs (not a criticism. More of an explanation). STOP being so damn critical and just enjoy seeing the people you love on stage! Now lip-synching is another story!”
Weighing in on the evolution of using a teleprompter, tracks, and other tools
Music-lovers have been very vocal about what they expect from their favorite artists, with lip-syncing receiving a lot of condemnation. One cover artist feels singers should have their songs memorized to the point they can utter them on a daily basis, while another countered, “Imagine expecting people to remember word for word a song they wrote 35 years ago.” A different user said their issue was not with using a teleprompter, but rather when bands play along to tracks, dubbed a “necessary evil” by another user who pointed to symphonic productions.
Motley Crue is still attracting plenty of fans, regardless. Their concert with Def Leppard, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Poison at Hersheypark Stadium is expected to disrupt traffic with the excitement it will bring. Have you seen any bands use a teleprompter, track, or lip-syncing before?
