Music Scene
Christopher Cross opens pops series

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Christopher Cross on the Halekulani hotel grounds. He's in town for performances with the Honolulu Symphony tonight and Saturday night at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Christopher Cross With the Honolulu Symphony, conducted by Matt Catingub; part of the 2001-2002 Hawaiian Airlines Pop Series 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday Blaisdell Concert Hall $15, $25, $30, $40, $55 792-2000

"MTV destroyed the culture," said the easy-listening '80s icon, in town to open the Honolulu Symphony's Hawaiian Airlines Pop Series with a rare orchestral performance this weekend. "People used to go home and listen to music and reflect. Now, they're just fed (the music and its meaning) constantly. I'm glad I'm not trying to make it in the business now."

Why would he want to?

With MTV turning copy-cat bands into one-hit wonders, being taken seriously as an artist and songwriter has always been much more important to the Grammy Award winner.

"Everything is so disposable now," Cross said via phone from Los Angeles. "The way has changed with MTV. Being the new kid in town doesn't last long anymore."

Cross is definitely not the flavor of the month.

Having emerged on the scene with his self-titled debut in 1980, Cross became an instant household name. His mature first effort earned him five Grammys, yielded four hit singles and sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

The next year Cross co-wrote and sang "Arthur's Theme," the theme song for the top-grossing Dudley Moore flick "Arthur," earning an Academy Award.

He followed that up with six more albums; his latest, "Red Room," was released in 2000.

He credits his longevity to a loyal fan base and enough time to really gain a name for himself in the business.

Thanks to the lack of the short-attention-span station MTV.

"I think when you have the kind of start I've had, it gives you some name identification," Cross said. "I had that."

His timeless hits have captured fans of all generations. Even pop sensation 'N Sync knows its place in the hierarchy; the group remade his notable single "Sailing" on its 1998 self-titled American debut.

"I like the fact that a new generation of fans are hearing that song," Cross said, raving about the charming boy band. "They were nice to my family, nice to work with. I'm more their parents' generation, but they respect their roots, what those people have done. I'm certainly flattered by that."

Meeting 'N Sync also raised his celebrity status with his 9-year-old daughter, who made cloth dolls for each member of her favorite band. When they received the handmade gifts, "they were very sweet about it," Cross said. "They looked at it, appreciated it.

"I now have validity with her," he said with a laugh.

Having moved from pop's Top 40 to today's easy-listening, Cross still keeps up with new artists and music. He admits, though, it's hard to find something he can sink his teeth into.

"Groups like blink-182 are fun, but I don't find albums that hold up like Steely Dan or Sting or the Beatles, that have a body of work," said Cross, comfortable at 50. "It's generational, too. There's a lot of angst and messages in the music that I can't relate to."

What he wants to do now is record with a symphony orchestra, an atmosphere that he finds musically interesting.

"My music lends itself to the symphony," said Cross, a street-trained musician who still can't read music. "I'm really honored to play with these gifted musicians. I normally play with a quartet. This is more grand. It's a different color, a different palate."

The symphony may not provide his typical audience, but "they're in my (new) demographic of age 30 to 60," he said. "They still know my music."

Stephen Bloom, the new executive director of the Honolulu Symphony, said he is excited about Cross' performance tonight.

"It's comfort music for me," he said.