Pepper's Ghost

[Guest]

I heard an item on the World Service about the recent live performance of Dr Dre and Tupac Shakur at Coachella. Shakur died on 13 September 1996. People are referring to it as a hologram but in fact it is more a case of Pepper's Ghost, an illusionary technique used in theatre and in some magic tricks with a plate glass and special lighting techniques.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper's_ghost

Now I am definitely no fan. The performance was predictably very sweary, full of bombast and devoid of any musicality. Actually, it seemed like a horrible freak show. I include it here only so that anyone who is interested in the technique can see it.

http://www.buffalo.com/entertainment/blog/podcast-update-on-hip-hop-holograms/

If completely bemused by the sheer amount of technical effort applied to such rot, I am more interested by the accompanying contention. According to that item on the BBC, this technique is a game changer. It could even go as far as rescuing the entire record industry. Two questions - (1) Do you agree? and (2) Which double act of the living and dead would you like to see live?

[MrGongGong]

So I guess you aren't into hip hop then lat

[johncorrigan]

(2) Which double act of the living and dead would you like to see live?

Elvis!

[prokkyshosty]

The spectacle (which supposedly cost more than the actual fee Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg received for performing) caused some wags at the pop website aux.tv to imagine what an all-hologram lineup at next year's Coachella might look like. I draw your attention especially to the Sunday headliner:

http://www.aux.tv/2012/04/coachella-announces-all-hologram-festival-featuring-only-dead-people/

[Globaltruth]

I think Pepper's Ghost is much more interesting than those fellows you mention Lat, who sound like the results of a throat-clearing exercise.

Are you sure it wasn't an Ethescope by the way?

[Lateralthinking1]

All very good posts. That line-up of dead people is excellent - I can't see Elvis so he must be alive - as are the posters. (Where does he find them???) Mr GG - I have a particular problem with gangsta rap and only take the rest of it in small doses. Going back to that line-up, Brian May, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant RIP.

[Globaltruth]

All very good posts. That line-up of dead people is excellent - I can't see Elvis so he must be alive - as are the posters. (Where does he find them???) Mr GG - I have a particular problem with gangsta rap and only take the rest of it in small doses. Going back to that line-up, Brian May, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant RIP.

I can imagine music media moguls thinking this would be their ideal solution - cut out that troublesome human thing, just focus on the product.

But it's not the solution at all. this is...

[johncorrigan]

All very good posts. That line-up of dead people is excellent - I can't see Elvis so he must be alive - as are the posters. (Where does he find them???) Mr GG - I have a particular problem with gangsta rap and only take the rest of it in small doses. Going back to that line-up, Brian May, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant RIP.

Have to say, Lat, that I was more perturbed by how far down the bill of dead people Ray Charles merited. Also the Captain and Bob Marley below the Allman Brothers....get a record collection!!!!!!!

I was also, however most intrigued by this from the same website - now what would that look like - hangin' day with Lily, Rosemary and the boys....? A not-so-simple twist of fate....? A few buckets of rain.....?

http://www.aux.tv/2012/04/bob-dylans-blood-on-the-tracks-is-being-turned-into-a-movie/

[Globaltruth]

But whatever you do, don't listen to the music too loudly....

http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/60989

[prokkyshosty]

Surely the summation of the Pepper's Ghost technology could only come in a holographic reuniting of the Sgt. Pepper's cover? Who wouldn't like to see W.C. Fields interacting with Stockhausen?

[Globaltruth]

Surely the summation of the Pepper's Ghost technology could only come in a holographic reuniting of the Sgt. Pepper's cover? Who wouldn't like to see W.C. Fields interacting with Stockhausen?

An excellent suggestion...

In which W C Fields silently refuses to drink a glass of water for 4' 33" ?

next, Marilyn Monroes knocks out Cassius Clay with a single look & Aleister Crowley bewitches Brian Jones with Moroccan Joujouka...

[MrGongGong]

shame Cage isn't on the cover though

[Globaltruth]

shame Cage isn't on the cover though

You mean they're 2 different people... ? (-ahem)