DLers, tell me about Kenny G

It still mystifies me.

As much as I dislike Norm Macdonald, I did laugh when, on SNL, he did a segment about Kenny G's new (at the time) Christmas album.

"Happy Birthday, Jesus. Hope you like crap!"

He was a mere blip, back when saxophones were considered sexy for a few years (ahem, B. Clinton, we're looking at YOU). In short- David Foster gave us him. And David Foster decided to ruin him. The end. At least he didn't run him over too.

I always laughed at him and thought he was cheesy. But he was popular for a minute.

He was last seen playing for Kim K in her living room. This is how everyone knew that marriage was over. You go from Bon Iver one year to Kenny G? Shits dunzo.

[quote] He was a mere blip

[quote] he was popular for a minute.

I'm not a fan, and I'm not defending his music, but he was a lot more than a "mere blip." He had a string of multiplatinum albums throughout the 1980s and 90s.

I like him. Something different. Just like I like Herb Alpert.

He was huge in China.

One of the interesting peculiarities of the 80s. Like shoulder pads and abundant cocaine.

Wasn't he famous around the same time as Yanni and John Tesch? Seems like that bland instrumental style had a moment.

His popularity reminded me of pan flute artist Zamfir, who was equally ubiquitous, but about a decade earlier. Both men seemed to be the lifeblood of the "Smooth Jazz" genre that was inescapable on the radio for a long while. I detested both.

Wikipedia declares he is one of the best-selling artists of all time -- nestled right in between Enya and Nirvana!

Rumor has it he has another horn in his pants that would make even the most seasoned gay clutch her pearls. Just sayin.

r6 Herb Alpert was more sexy and interesting. What about Chuck Mangione? Last time I heard of him was in a King of the Hill episode.

Was that other horn the inspiration for Kenny's "buddy" Michael Bolton's song "Can I Touch You There?" ?

The video is kind of a fun glimpse of '80s LA.

Holy shit. He's sold 50 million albums in the US? That's insane.

*kicks self for not taking jazz trombone in high school*

R9. Speaking of bland instrumental style does anyone remember an acoustic jazzy music that was popular in the late 80s early 90s? It was like poppy jazzy guitar that was good ambience music.

It's rarely mentioned about him but he's very much into Asians. He had quite a few relationships with Chinese models and actresses who are totally unknown in the US, such as Elaine Wong and Ady An.

I remember those albums 'Hooked on Classics' that were popular in the early 80's

My dad used to like The Manhattan Transfer which was kind of like that r17

His G-Force album wasn't bad.

Tribeca

He was always cheesy and never good. Like Michael Bolton, Yacht Rock and Donald Trump.

His solo stuff isn't as good as when he was in Color Me Badd.

Boney James is much better.

He managed to piss off better musicians when he covered 'What a Wonderful World,' overdubbing Louis Armstrong.

Pat Metheny labeled it "musical necrophilia."

R24 LOL!

I actually really liked his music. I have a music background and his tone is amazing and beautiful. I think most people had never heard a soprano sax and so his sound was unique and mellow. I find his stuff really relaxing. I can see why he's not everyone's cup of tea. He also was known for circular breathing while playing which is a really hard technique to master. I play trumpet and I've tried circular breathing and cannot do it. Basically it allows him to breathe in through his nose while simultaneously playing the sax so it sounds as if he hardly ever takes a breath and can sustain notes for a very long time. If I play his music, it takes me right back to the early 90's when I was starting college and hopeful about my future.

He’s openly gay right? Or am I mixing him up with someone

He became popular along with the emergence of Smooth Jazz in the 1980s. Decent music to have on in the background.

I associate Songbird with a softcore porn, frau-y bedroom situation.

It was the 1990s. Suggested to me what would've visually been Rita Coolidge on steroids. Unless that was Rita on steroids?

Cradling my mug and fingering myself as I type R31!!!

Saw him on the street in some tight jeans. He was short, sexy, and clearly hung.

His music conjures up images of dentists' waiting rooms to me.

He's a notorious diaper fetishist.

Mannheim Steamroller was another one to throw into that mix. My dad used to listen to CD 101.9 out of New York and they played all that crap.

[quote] He’s openly gay right? Or am I mixing him up with someone

You're probably thinking of Dave Koz.

The 80s were known for crap like this. Popular or not , "smooth jazz put an even bigger nail into jazz than "Jazz fusion" (it's 1970s sibling).

[quote] Basically it allows him to breathe in through his nose while simultaneously playing the sax so it sounds as if he hardly ever takes a breath and can sustain notes for a very long time.

It is impossible for a human to inhale and exhale at the same time. The sax makes a sound during exhalation. Your statement makes no sense.

I hear he’s got a schlong bigger than his nose!

Here you go, r40

In 1997, a Guinness World Record was set for longest held musical note. Kenny G used circular breathing to sustain an E-flat on a saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds.[3] On February 2000, Vann Burchfield set a new Guinness world record for circular breathing, holding one continuous note for 47 minutes, 6 seconds, surpassing Kenny G’s record.[4] Mark Atkins on Didgeridoo Concerto (1994) plays for over 50 minutes continuously.