Cold's singer cools to a career in rock
by Bunny Matthews (5/28/82) Times-Picayune
"I've just had enough," the Cold's Barbara Menendez explained this week as she confirmed rumors of her permanent retirement from New Orleans' most popular rock band. "I want to lay low for awhile, and I want to take art lessons because I've been meaning to do that for a long time. I have to see what happens - I can't predict.
"I'm really not as excited by music as I was when I was younger and first got in the band. If I listen to anything now, it's mostly classical because I'm so burnt-out on rock music. The scene was just making me go down - late hours, smoky bars, drinking all night and partying. It's not that healthy when you want to do domestic things." Among the domestic items on Menendez's agenda are a fall marriage to former RZA bassist Ray Ganucheau and possibly the pitter-patter of tiny go-go boots. Babs a mom? "I'm thinking about it strongly," the singer/organist confessed.
And what is she going to tell the thousands of fans who will never forgive her for ditching the band?
"I've got a message: It's my life and I'll do what I want. What am I going to tell these people: 'Oh,
I'm sorry, I know you're right. I'll do whatever you say. Why don't you come over for cocktails some night'"? Everyone thinks you're not normal all of the sudden when people start to know who you are.
"Even if somebody said tomorrow, 'Here's a contract,' I'd still be doing the same thing - I'd just have a contract. Its not that I'm saying, 'I waited too long - now I give up.' It's just that I'd rather do something else - I don't want to be a rock 'n' roller." Laughing, she adds: "I want to sing in front of a swing band."
Apparently the blond belter is quite serious about transferring her creative endeavors from the dimly lit world of live music to the well-lit cosmos of fine arts: "I've been drawing all my life but I never took it seriously. It was always self-taught. Everybody always said I was pretty good. I didn't pursue it, but now I think I should. I think I could maybe make a living doing something with art. I love it, so it's going to be good for me."
The artist's favorite medium is colored pencils, and what she really wants to know is: "Where did Norman Rockwell go to school? He's my hero. I'd love to be the next Norman Rockwell. He's the best ever. I mourned when he died. He inspired me to want to be an artist. Don't you love the way he positions all his characters? They always look so natural yet not natural."
Meanwhile, according to the Cold's manager, Bruce Spizer: "We're auditioning new people - not necessarily limited to females. We're not looking for a Barbara-clone. We'll replace her as best we can. We started auditioning people about 2 weeks ago just because you've got to be prepared. When somebody tells you they're leaving, you've got to take them seriously. It's kind of a rough situation in a lot of ways. But the band isn't going to break up. We will take some time off to break in a new member or members, write some new songs and do some new arrangements."
First, though, the Cold will fulfill its remaining contractual obligations, including a CYO dance this evening at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie and another CYO dance Saturday night at St. Louise de Marillac Church in Arabi.
Menendez will take part in both performances, and then her final appearance with the Cold will be either the second or third weekend in June at one of three venues: Tulane's McAlister Auditorium, the Warehouse, or the Riverboat President. Spizer is currently negotiating the date and site of Menendez's final recital. As the singer explains: "For some reason, I feel like the last
performance is going to be my favorite."
And will Barbara Menendez's famed miniskirts be donated to the Historical New Orleans Collection or some other such reliquary of priceless artifacts?
Afraid not, says Babs: "There's nothing left. They've all been destroyed by a combination of the mildew and the wear and tear. They're pretty gross."
by Bunny Matthews (5/28/82) Times-Picayune
"I've just had enough," the Cold's Barbara Menendez explained this week as she confirmed rumors of her permanent retirement from New Orleans' most popular rock band. "I want to lay low for awhile, and I want to take art lessons because I've been meaning to do that for a long time. I have to see what happens - I can't predict.
"I'm really not as excited by music as I was when I was younger and first got in the band. If I listen to anything now, it's mostly classical because I'm so burnt-out on rock music. The scene was just making me go down - late hours, smoky bars, drinking all night and partying. It's not that healthy when you want to do domestic things." Among the domestic items on Menendez's agenda are a fall marriage to former RZA bassist Ray Ganucheau and possibly the pitter-patter of tiny go-go boots. Babs a mom? "I'm thinking about it strongly," the singer/organist confessed.
And what is she going to tell the thousands of fans who will never forgive her for ditching the band?
"I've got a message: It's my life and I'll do what I want. What am I going to tell these people: 'Oh,
I'm sorry, I know you're right. I'll do whatever you say. Why don't you come over for cocktails some night'"? Everyone thinks you're not normal all of the sudden when people start to know who you are.
"Even if somebody said tomorrow, 'Here's a contract,' I'd still be doing the same thing - I'd just have a contract. Its not that I'm saying, 'I waited too long - now I give up.' It's just that I'd rather do something else - I don't want to be a rock 'n' roller." Laughing, she adds: "I want to sing in front of a swing band."
Apparently the blond belter is quite serious about transferring her creative endeavors from the dimly lit world of live music to the well-lit cosmos of fine arts: "I've been drawing all my life but I never took it seriously. It was always self-taught. Everybody always said I was pretty good. I didn't pursue it, but now I think I should. I think I could maybe make a living doing something with art. I love it, so it's going to be good for me."
The artist's favorite medium is colored pencils, and what she really wants to know is: "Where did Norman Rockwell go to school? He's my hero. I'd love to be the next Norman Rockwell. He's the best ever. I mourned when he died. He inspired me to want to be an artist. Don't you love the way he positions all his characters? They always look so natural yet not natural."
Meanwhile, according to the Cold's manager, Bruce Spizer: "We're auditioning new people - not necessarily limited to females. We're not looking for a Barbara-clone. We'll replace her as best we can. We started auditioning people about 2 weeks ago just because you've got to be prepared. When somebody tells you they're leaving, you've got to take them seriously. It's kind of a rough situation in a lot of ways. But the band isn't going to break up. We will take some time off to break in a new member or members, write some new songs and do some new arrangements."
First, though, the Cold will fulfill its remaining contractual obligations, including a CYO dance this evening at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie and another CYO dance Saturday night at St. Louise de Marillac Church in Arabi.
Menendez will take part in both performances, and then her final appearance with the Cold will be either the second or third weekend in June at one of three venues: Tulane's McAlister Auditorium, the Warehouse, or the Riverboat President. Spizer is currently negotiating the date and site of Menendez's final recital. As the singer explains: "For some reason, I feel like the last
performance is going to be my favorite."
And will Barbara Menendez's famed miniskirts be donated to the Historical New Orleans Collection or some other such reliquary of priceless artifacts?
Afraid not, says Babs: "There's nothing left. They've all been destroyed by a combination of the mildew and the wear and tear. They're pretty gross."
