Miller Brewing...

[brownie]

Don't think this has been mentioned before on ths Board. Quite an interesting item, even if a couple of days old....

From AP:

  Quote

Miller apologizes for leaving black artists off promotion

MILWAUKEE -(AP)- Miller Brewing Co. has apologized for failing to include any black artists on its series of commemorative rock 'n' roll cans.

The brewer didn't include any black artists in its series of eight commemorative beer cans, part of a summer promotion with Rolling Stone magazine celebrating of the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll. Critics had questioned how Miller could have overlooked black artists' role in the development of rock music.

''African Americans obviously have played a formative role in the development of rock 'n' roll, and despite our efforts, we did not manage this component of the promotion appropriately,'' the company said in a statement late Thursday ''to the African-American community, to music fans and to our valued consumers.''

The cans issued by Milwaukee-based Miller featured Rolling Stone cover shots of Elvis Presley, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Willie Nelson, as well as two showing the guitars of Eric Clapton and Joe Walsh.

''We took a hard look at the situation and realize where we fell short. You can count on Miller to step up,'' Virgis Colbert, Miller's executive vice president of worldwide operations, said in the statement.

The brewer noted that the commemorative cans were part of a larger campaign with Rolling Stone that includes events and promotions ''that prominently and proudly feature African-American music artists.''

Miller said its two-day concert Sept. 17 and 18 in New York, the culmination of the promotion, will feature James Brown, Bo Diddley, Wyclef Jean and Lenny Kravitz.

The cans were issued in conjunction with three Rolling Stone special editions: rock immortals, moments and photos. In its immortals edition, 20 of the 50 rockers are black.

I rarely drink beer, and when I do, I avoid the regular US brands. Miller will not even be on my short list any more.

[robviti]

miller beer catering to a white audience?

that's why they make malt liquor, isn't it?

Company will pull liquor billboards

Miller Brewing acts on 22 malt liquor ads after North Portland residents complain they target young African Americans

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Joe Fitzgibbon, special to The Oregonian

Miller Brewing will drop its newest billboard campaign promoting 40-ounce containers of Olde English 800 malt liquor after neighborhood groups in North Portland complained that the flashy ads targeted young African Americans.

Ronald McClaron, director of corporate relations for the beer company, flew out from Milwaukee to announce the decision.

"No one in corporate headquarters viewed the billboards as offensive, nor would we ever encourage underage drinking," McClaron told community members who met earlier this week at the St. Johns Community Center. "We aren't responsible for all of the drinking problems in your community, but we are ceasing the campaign immediately."

(rest of article omitted)

P.S. Willie Nelson and Bon Jovi?!?!

Edited August 24, 2004 by jazzshrink

[connoisseur series500]

No company should be obligated to commemorate artists of any particular race. The whole idea is repugnant.

At the same time, it was awfully stupid and narrowminded to leave out the great black musicians. Pretty damned shallow, but that's corporate America for you.

[RainyDay]

This reminds me of Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man." It's like a whole segment of the population doesn't even exist, even in an area where that group has made major contributions. It is hell and gone beyond clueless.

[BruceH]

I've gotta say, how in the hell could anyone half awake leave out Chuck Berry? Or Fats Domino? Or Bo Diddley? Or...

You get the idea.

[Eric]

I would think any self-respecting artist (black or otherwise) would appreciate being left off that shitty list ...

Edited August 24, 2004 by Eric

[danasgoodstuff]

As a resident of North Portland (not NE, thank you v. much) I have no problem with Miller advertising whatever brand of swill they think the locals will drink.

The 50th ann beercan thing is pretty funny; I think 'too many cooks' had something to do with it since Miller, RS & some 3rd party were all involved. Also funny that they mention Jimi H. as the black guy whose picture they couldn't get clearance for--I didn't think Miller made his drug of choice! I'm not a Miller fan, but I'll still take it over Bud if that's my only choice. Couldn't put Chuck Berry on a beer can, he probably gives it to underage girls...

[RainyDay]

  danasgoodstuff said:

As a resident of North Portland (not NE, thank you v. much) I have no problem with Miller advertising whatever brand of swill they think the locals will drink.

The 50th ann beercan thing is pretty funny; I think 'too many cooks' had something to do with it since Miller, RS & some 3rd party were all involved. Also funny that they mention Jimi H. as the black guy whose picture they couldn't get clearance for--I didn't think Miller made his drug of choice! I'm not a Miller fan, but I'll still take it over Bud if that's my only choice. Couldn't put Chuck Berry on a beer can, he probably gives it to underage girls...

North Portland in Oregon? My home town. What's wrong with NE Portland? My Granny owned a house on 20th and Knott for over 25 years. Lovely neighborhood. Currenly going through my periodic phase of wanting to move back. Do you ever go to Produce Row on Monday nights to check out Ron Steen's jam session? Very cool event.

[danasgoodstuff]

Rainyday,

Nothing wrong with NE, I just get tired of local news outlets and other longtime residents who can't tell the difference/don't know that Ptld has 5 'quarters'. People if you're west of Williams Ave & east of the river, it's North. My mom grew up at 24th & Going, the house is 'sorta' still in the family. Getting mighty gentrified over there now.

I've been to the Produce Row jams, but not much anymore.

Dana

[kulu se mama]

don't want to be redundant here, but from what i understand this is not all miller's fault.

this was not a history of rock'n'roll promotion, but a tie in with rolling stone magazine and the 50th anniversary of rock-n-roll.

they only used actual rolling stone magazine covers, and the band had to give their permission.

i believe rolling stones list of the 50 most influential artisist included 22 black artists.

if you look at the artists that are on the cans, i don't think anyone would claim that blondie, alice cooper, bon jovi, and willie nelson are 4 of the most important artists in the history of rock.

[RainyDay]

Danasgoodstuff: The first house I lived in was on Going. Gentrified, huh? The more things change, the more they go back to how things once were.

If you are a Jay Collins fan, he will be playing at Produce Row on September 6.

Edited August 24, 2004 by RainyDay

[danasgoodstuff]

Rainyday,

If you haven't been to Ptld lately, Alberta street is full of Galleries and resteraunts, and North Mississippi is even more amazing, 'turned around' virtually overnight. My nearest rundown business district, Kenton, has been officially annointed as next. I think I preferred it when it had the highest concentration of bars in a three block stretch in the city. But even yuppie scum are preferable to empty storefronts.

I'm a big Willie fan (that doesn't sound right!), but in many ways his aesthetic is v. non-R 'n R...

Edited August 24, 2004 by danasgoodstuff

[RainyDay]

I haven't been back since 2000. Another old neighborhood in SE off Hawthorne, was a nice middle to working class neighborhood that went skinhead and is now gentrified. I remember going there in the 1990's to see another of my grandmother's old houses. It was a wreck, no more neat garden, just a run down mess. But her lovely crystal chandalier was still visible through the window, hanging from the living room ceiling. That was pretty strange. I wondered if skinheads lived there and if so, hoped Granny made occasional ghostly visits to make their life interesting.

[connoisseur series500]

  RainyDay said:

This reminds me of Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man." It's like a whole segment of the population doesn't even exist, even in an area where that group has made major contributions. It is hell and gone beyond clueless.

Interesting comment, Rainy.

As far as Black American achievements, you could very well be right. The media and public do seem to ignore great achievements on the part of Black Americans.

However, from a political and media sense, Black Americans are far from invisible. They are very visible, at least from my point of view. It seems that that segment of the population gets more political and media coverage than you would otherwise expect from 12% of the population.

One could even argue that White America is absolutely obsessed with Black Americans. This would be the Jimmy Baldwin argument.

Ellison wrote "Invisible Man" in the 1950s or early 1960s, didn't he? Hasn't the American zeitgeist been modified since those times?

On a personal note, I remember, I couldn't finish Ellison's book, though I had no trouble with Baldwin's, Walker's, Toni Morrison, or Richard Wright's books. Should I give him another try? Is it still relevant?

[RainyDay]

  connoisseur series500 said:

  RainyDay said:

This reminds me of Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man."  It's like a whole segment of the population doesn't even exist, even in an area where that group has made major contributions.  It is hell and gone beyond clueless.

Interesting comment, Rainy.

As far as Black American achievements, you could very well be right. The media and public do seem to ignore great achievements on the part of Black Americans.

However, from a political and media sense, Black Americans are far from invisible. They are very visible, at least from my point of view. It seems that that segment of the population gets more political and media coverage than you would otherwise expect from 12% of the population.

One could even argue that White America is absolutely obsessed with Black Americans. This would be the Jimmy Baldwin argument.

Ellison wrote "Invisible Man" in the 1950s or early 1960s, didn't he? Hasn't the American zeitgeist been modified since those times?

On a personal note, I remember, I couldn't finish Ellison's book, though I had no trouble with Baldwin's, Walker's, Toni Morrison, or Richard Wright's books. Should I give him another try? Is it still relevant?

Trust me, on a day to day basis, I am still invisible in many ways. It's just the way it is. The hip hop frenzy that is given so much attention in the media and that seems to define the black experience for mainstream America does not reflect anything about my life or for that matter, the lives of most of the black people in my life including my family. My young cousins don't even listen to rap music. In a lot of ways, blacks are invisible if we don't appear in the roles to which we have been assignd by mainstream America.

Actually, it is tiresome.

[connoisseur series500]

  RainyDay said:

Trust me, on a day to day basis, I am still invisible in many ways. It's just the way it is.

I guess I understand what you're saying, though I believe we're all basically invisible to others...

[connoisseur series500]

except Dan.

He gets in everybody's face!!

[connoisseur series500]

and Johnny...

if you happen to venture into the Politics section...

[7/4]

  connoisseur series500 said:

except Dan.

He gets in everybody's face!!

He's been trying to french my ass for months.

[RainyDay]

  connoisseur series500 said:

  RainyDay said:

Trust me, on a day to day basis, I am still invisible in many ways.  It's just the way it is.

I guess I understand what you're saying, though I believe we're all basically invisible to others...

Believe me, it is not the same thing.