Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Why barefoot singers are all the rage?: Why barefoot singers are all the rage?

Why barefoot singers are all the rage?: Why barefoot singers are all the rage?: "It all started in 1965 when legendary British singer Sandie Shaw performed on the TV show Hullabaloo completely barefoot. But it was Linda R..."

Why barefoot singers are all the rage?

It all started in 1965 when legendary British singer Sandie Shaw performed on the TV show Hullabaloo completely barefoot. But it was Linda Ronstadt who took the idea of singing barefoot to a whole new level.

Since then artists like Joss Stone, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Selena Gomez, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Deana Carter, Patti LaBelle, Cesaria Evora, Bjork, Florence Welch, Mandy Moore, Jewel, and Colbie Calliat have been singing onstage with their feet exposed.

And not just female singers, either. Male artists like Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet, Jason Mraz, Henry Rollins, Glen Phillips, and Richard Ashcroft have also joined in on the trend.

Why the love for performing barefoot? Blame it on the American Idol craze as contestants (most notably Brooke White) would sing their songs while wearing nothing on their feet.

But as for why some singers perform in their bare feet, it's mainly to alleviate stage fright but there are other reasons.

Stone is too clumsy to wear shoes, Moore has big feet (she's a size 10), Ronstadt has extra bones in their feet ("I'm a mutant," according to Ronstadt), or a superstition that not wearing shoes helps a singer channel their vocal energy in Bjork's case.

But no matter what, expect this trend to continue at perhaps the American Music Awards on Sunday, November 20th or the Grammys on Sunday, February 12th.