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By CURTIS ROSS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 29, 2008

I tend to think that having a hero is asking for disappointment.

This column space could be filled many times over with the names of great artists who were otherwise horrible people.

I'm not numb to it but I've become resigned to the fact that some musicians I used to worship accept corporate sponsorships and lease their music for commercials.

Still, there are some lines that, when crossed, are harder for me to deal with as a fan.

Case in point - ZZ Top performing on "American Idol" last week with contestant and eventual winner David Cook.

I don't have any particular opinion on Cook. But all the goofy videos, beer commercials and so-so albums in the world didn't prepare me for the shock of seeing what used to be a bad-ass rock 'n' roll band slumming on a program that celebrates music only as a bankable commodity.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think "American Idol" is ruining music. It's just a bad TV program that would feature jugglers or dog acts if those would draw a bigger audience than the parade of star-struck hopefuls on which the show depends.

But when performers such as ZZ Top, Queen or Smokey Robinson appear on the show, it gives "American Idol" an impression of legitimacy it doesn't deserve.

"American Idol" isn't about music, it's about celebrity. Ever hear an "America Idol" contestant say his or her dream is to make a great album? No. The goal is to make a great-selling album.

(Cook, to his credit, did say in a teleconference he wanted to make "a record that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up," but he, apparently, is the exception.)

That's been the goal of plenty of wanna-bes long before "American Idol" and will continue to be the goal for singers of that mindset after the show is canceled.

But when musicians such as ZZ Top sign on for a temporary boost in CD sales, it doesn't raise the status of "American Idol." It cheapens ZZ Top's legacy.

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