RonJonSurfer Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Bryan Ferry apologizes for Nazi remarks Mon LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Bryan Ferry apologized on Monday for remarks he made in an interview with a German newspaper in which he praised Nazi iconography as "just amazing" and "really beautiful." The 61-year-old lead singer of Roxy Music told Germany's Welt Am Sonntag newspaper last month: "The way that the Nazis staged themselves and presented themselves, my Lord! "I'm talking about the films of Leni Riefenstahl and the buildings of Albert Speer and the mass marches and the flags -- just fantastic. Really beautiful." In a statement, Ferry said he was "deeply upset" about the negative publicity the interview triggered, and added: "I apologize unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments on Nazi iconography, which were solely made from an art history perspective. "I, like every right-minded individual, find the Nazi regime, and all it stood for, evil and abhorrent." Jewish leaders in Britain, some of whom had condemned Ferry's comments and questioned whether he should be dropped by the Marks & Spencer retail chain that employs him as a model, welcomed Ferry's clarification. "We do welcome the fact that he has issued a swift comment that there was no intention to condone the Nazi regime," said Jeremy Newmark, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council. "Nevertheless, his choice of language was deeply insensitive," he added. Lord Greville Janner, vice-president of the World Jewish Congress, told Reuters: "His apology was total, appropriate and absolutely necessary. I hope that he will never make the same mistake again." Marks & Spencer sought to distance itself from the row. "We do not make comment on the private lives of any individuals that we work with nor does our commercial relationship with them mean we endorse any views they may hold," the group said in a statement. It had no further comment. Riefenstahl was Adolf Hitler's official film maker who was both admired and condemned for her documentaries that pioneered film techniques but glorified Nazism. Speer was an architect who served under Hitler. (With additional reporting by Erik Kirschbaum in Berlin) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I think Ferry made his meaning quite clear in his explanation/apology. Jesus H. Smith!! Can't we speak about anything without some people getting offended? Lighten up world. The man was referring to art. Disagree with him on that if you will but don't intentionally misinterpret his meaning just so that you can draw attention to yourselves by voicing your outrage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted April 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 You are 100% correct UJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 I think I've said similar remarks before when it comes to Leni Riefenstahl's cinematic presentations. It's also one of the few instances where a woman was at the top of her game in the history of film - too bad they were Fascists (quoted from a website presenting Italian Futurist art). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Jesus H. Smith!! The "H" stands for "Harry" or "Hector"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Hear , hear ! I admire the Tiger tank , the Stuka , U-boats , the machine guns and the helmets ( which have fairly recently been adopted partially by the US and other NATO forces ) of the German military as well as their uniforms . I would hate and have to roll my eyes were those comments in that basic form to be taken and twisted into sympathy for Nazi cause(s) when I'm simply speaking from an engineering/ design / aesthetic perspective . Only an overly sensitive and paranoid person or someone requiring a scapegoat to sacrifice in order to draw attention ( and an emotional and moral advantage ) to their point-of-view , or someone who just wants to pick a fight , would feel the need to point out that ' Aha ! And are you aware that those were the very instruments that were used by the Nazis to oppress and murder their opponents ?! How could/dare you say anything positive about them ! Etc. ' What frustrates me in this current trend of ' Gotcha ! ' journalism that the media seems to love , is that they don't take the responsibility nor care to be bothered to follow up brief , questionable or controversial comments made by the interviewees in order to ask follow-up questions which are also printed/ televised . In this instance a question such as ' Do you mean to say then , Mr. Ferry , that you admire the Nazis ? ' should've been asked as the comment left as is , or in some cases edited , becomes a bigger story itself - and any reasonable German journalist in this situation should know this better than anyone . Don't they care even a little about the subject of their interview enough to clarify such statements ? I think public figures should boycott giving interviews -or limit themselves exclusively to only reliable journalists - until some discipline and responsibility can be imposed on reporters and their organizations , and this can only come from revenue loss to the media in question when they can't get access to those persons . There is already a huge oversaturation of media sources ( many being questionable in terms of ethics and reliablity ) , imo , and losing a large number them wouldn't or shouldn't break many hearts anyway - except those of the owners and staff of said organizations . Public figures could also possibly instigate media reforms by stating on the record exactly which media sources they find objectionable and why - gleefully reported by another competing media source - and perhaps help to launch a ' who is more virtuous , unbiased and factual ' war within the media itself as they try to go out of their way to prove it at the expense of their competition - at least amongst those who wished to be seen as legitimate news sources . ( Sorry - just a lucid dream , I'm sure ... ) I like James Gandolfini's style : refuses 95+% of interview and appearance requests , and you can bet that those lucky few who do get a chance aren't going to screw around with his words in case they are refused next time . Hasn't really hurt his popularity a bit , either - just added to his mystique , if anything ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levis Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 ^ What he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 I find the notion that former style-icon Bryan Ferry is now a model for Marks & Spencer far more reprehensible than his comments on the aesthetic delights of "Nazi iconography". (How the mighty have fallen...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fish Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Poor Guy. I understand what it's like to be mis-understood on a prickley subject (not opening up old wounds again, please!) but at least he explained it all clearly and said sorry....thats a big thing to do when you have not done anything wrong but have just been misunderstood, to say sorry....*here ends the mini muses of Bloof on this subject* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 Bloof, I'd never have taken you for a "mini-muser". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fish Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 what, they are always full scale rants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 I find the notion that former style-icon Bryan Ferry is now a model for Marks & Spencer far more reprehensible than his comments on the aesthetic delights of "Nazi iconography". (How the mighty have fallen...) That whole "Marks & Spencer" thing might not make sense to the fish on the other side of the pond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Good point, Mr Almonds. For the unaware, Marks & Spencer is the UK high street store your nan might visit to purchase some comfy knitwear or uncool dads might get slacks, socks, slippers, stripy pyjamas, etc. It's not exactly at fashion's cutting edge, put it that way.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Is there a US equivalent to that? Bloomingdales? Sacks 5th Avenue? MACY'S?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 TARGET?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Never having been to the States, let alone shop for MOR clothing there, I couldn't really say. It's like, where your parents shop for safe, reliable, comfortable clothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 To me, "Marks & Spencer" sounds foo-foo Like something you'd find at Rodeo Drive. Probably the stuff you see in catalogues where plaid neckerchiefs cost $500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Oh, it's not expensive "designer", just favoured by the middle-aged and essentially conservative. Occasionally they try to enhance their image by getting some celebrity name on board, but it never quite works.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Sears . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulEdwardWagemann Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 (edited) Here's my take on this issue: Bryan Ferry apologizes for his Nazi comments Basically if we discount nazi artists, then we also have to discount any other nation/regimes art that had inhumane leaders. That includes Romans, Vikings, Egyptians, etc... Edited April 22, 2007 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 He never voted for the communists, he doesn´t wear Keith Richards style. Esthetics seem to be his main value. What would you expect from a posh dandy? To let his bear grow and admire "Arte Povera"? His first solo album is very good. He makes an excellent cover of "These foolish things", the song that gives name to the album. I like him as a crooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggsUK Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Could be worse - he could advertise for Greenwoods... lol Seems like just a mention of Adolf and merrie men gets a slap nowadays... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry David Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I knew if anything could get Diggs to post again, it would be Bryan Ferry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggsUK Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Its the brylcreme that does it for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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