Wade on Birmingham

Just for Hicks: This one goes to 11

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taylor and barry“His name was Barry, he was a show guy, with 11 singers on the air and a ’50s theme, beware …”

Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks took on a Buddy Holly classic, with middling results during rehearsal. Could Barry Manilow save the day? It’s back to the ’50s for “American Idol.”

Updated with multimedia, elimination.

Recap after the jump …

Taylor Hicks

‘You’re gonna give your love to me …’

• Song: “Not Fade Away” by Buddy Holly.

• Judges say: Randy: “I don’t know if the song was the most challenging for me … but you worked it out.” Paula: “You’re fantastic. You’re just one of a kind.” Simon: “It was a complete mess. … That was like some hideous party performance.”

• Barry says: “He’s one of the best male vocalists you have on the show.”

• We say: Flat out, it was bad. It was Bucky Covington bad. All those great soul ballads from the 1950s, and Hicks picks a snoozer. He’ll make it past this week — but only on momentum and good will.

• Taylor says: “(Manilow is) not just a singer, he’s a performer. And that’s kinda the way I feel about my music.”

Taylor Hicks

Taylor and Barry, looks like they made it; family and friends in full force.

• Idol thoughts: Looks like the “Soul Man” picked up yet another nickname: the “Silver Fox” (which doesn’t exactly help him in the age vs. youth contest). Tonight’s best: Mandisa, Elliott Yamin and Kellie Pickler.

Voting closes at 11 tonight.

Update: Hear Hicks perform “Not Fade Away” at Rickey.org and see the performance at Graycharles.com.

Update: Eliminated on March 22: Kevin Covais.

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Read more on Taylor Hicks.

3 Yips for “Just for Hicks: This one goes to 11”

  1. Mrs. Tutor
    Wednesday, March 22, 2006, 6:46 pm
    1

    This time, his performance didn’t make me think of Michael McDonald — more of a Billy Joel sound. And before you make the McDonald and Joel jokes, I like both.

  2. Curtis
    Thursday, March 23, 2006, 6:26 am
    2

    Saw this on WIRED about American Idol… it kinda echoes much of the comments you and your readers have stated: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,70464-0.html

  3. Myra Grace
    Friday, October 6, 2006, 5:17 pm
    3

    BRING ON THE HICKS!!! 7 YR OLD WHO ASKS TO LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC AT NIGHT! pLEASE WRITE HER A SPECIAL MESSAGE

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