I have no real complaint with the content of Pam Adams’ column in today’s Journal Star, except that she is confused about music:
When Otis Redding sang “A Change is Gonna Come,” they didn’t dream it would come like this. They may be thinking old school, but their old classmates, Hinton and Hannah, are talking up new school and new schools.
Otis Reading? Nope. Sorry. “A Change is Gonna Come” was written and performed by the great Sam Cooke.
I can forgive the copy desk for letting this slip by. I doubt there’s anyone on the desk who’s over 30, and their only experience with Cooke or Redding might be commercials for “greatest hits” CDs that play on late night cable television.
But Pam? I gotta wonder about her music collection, or her memory.
Update: PeoriaIllinoisan correctly pointed out that Redding did release a cover of Cooke’s hit. So, my criticism of Adam’s music knowledge is a bit off-base. But it is Cooke’s version that stands out in my mind.
Tags: Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, protest music
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Who is Otis Reading? Is he related to Otis Redding?
Otis also recorded it, though you point is well taken.
What is your point with that statement? Are you saying that because you think you are superior? Are you a racist. It seems very prejudicial that you could possibly argue against a point that Pam was making. Unless of course the “man” made you do it.
[...] Peoria Pundit, always looking beyond the headlines for the real story dug out an embarrassing revelation from Journal Star columnist Pam Adams. She invoked the name of Otis Redding in reference to the [...]
It would be unusual for someone on the copy desk to copy-edit columns for the editorial page. It would likely happen only if one of the editorial page editors were on vacation.
… And there are at least four copy editors older than 30.
A long history of excessive alcohol consumption can do things to a person’s memory. I was introduced to Pam Adams in the middle of a weekday, by a former Attorney General Staff Counsel. We were both a bit taken aback by how drunk she was in the middle of the day.
The place was the old rib joint on SW Jefferson. The year was 1996.
Now, now, Chase. EVERYONE seems to have a drinking problem as far as you’re concerned.
You’re still correct in your original assessment though, it’s the Sam Cooke’s version that most people identify with. I just happen to be a big Otis Redding fan.
Bill, Why do you allow crap like this from this mentally ill person??
From your rules:
Any comment intended to degrade any other other commenter or author can also lead to deletion and possible banning.
Commenters are encouraged to remain on topic. If a thread starts to drift, please announce that the conversation has been moved to that day’s open thread post.
Comments that are libelous will be deleted.
Ingersoll
Item #1: Yes, Bill has trouble following his own “rules,” sometimes.
Item #2: Peoria Guy starts out by calling Chase “mentally ill” and then proceeds to quote the ‘rule’ about degrading other commenters. Talk about irony.
Item #3: Just so I don’t get accused of playing sides, the comments made by Chase were, I think, out of line.
You know, I didn’t recall anywhere in The Rules where I started that I assumed the responsibility of fact-checking the comments made on this site.
A commenter, using his own name, started that he encountered a public figure during the middle of the day who he believed to be intoxicated.
I wasn’t there. I don’t know.
The question is: Is that a violation of “The Rules.”
Bear in mind that the tile “The Rules” is meant to be ironic. The Rules is simply a statement of what I consider to be common courtesy applied to the Blogosphere, specifically, this blog. NOWHERE do I say that any comment that falls outside of what I consider courteous will be deleted. It says that I may do so. MAY. It’s up to me.
Now, what is the closest “rule: within the “The Rules” that might apply? It is this:
“Any comment intended to degrade any other other commenter or author can also lead to deletion and possible banning.”
Was the comment intended to degrade anyone? I have no idea what the commenter’s intentions were. I wouldn’t like it, but that’s me.
Nevertheless, Pam Adams is not a commenter. She’s a public figure due to the fact that she’s a columnist who is free to express her opinions about others in the city’s only daily newspaper. She has no expectation that others will not comment on her in return.
Was I happy that the comment was made. No. But then I operate a public forum. That implies I’m going to read things I don’t like and that others won’t like.
In other words, I’m not Chase’s nanny.
So, you rail someone for using the wrong performer, then you spell the correct performer’s name wrong? Classic.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Pam Adams not exactly a music maven, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.