Didn't Michael Jackson start the trend like shortly after the Civil War?

Never did a crotch grab; never will.
I agree that it's ridiculous.

The oboe requires both hands at all times to play anything.

But, I fronted the band on a few songs over the years yet I never felt the urge to grab my junk.
Wonder why. Maybe because it's a disgusting move?

that handling my junk should only be done in privacy.

I did play tenor sax and was lead singer in a garage band in the early 60s. I never did any junk grabbing in that role. We played a lot of school dances, but after a multi verse playing of Louie, Louie at a post game dance, we were black-listed. A pity.

It's hard enough to turn the music page. If the chart has "v.s." (volti subito - Italian for magically immediately turn the page), I will miss the next intro.

God forbid that I have to quickly pickup and insert a mute.

But, I still grab my crotch from time to time, though certainly for different reasons than a front man.
😁

Same with twerking. I just find it so unnecessary and offensive.

Both of which strike me as something whose expiration date has long passed.

Twerking is a highly sexualized dance style that came from Africa and then moved on to the "bounce" music from New Orleans. I would post some xamples but they would probably get alerted for explicit content.

everything else about the halftime show was fabulous.

It does seem to come from a place of insecurity.

One I might have been willing to overlook. And it probably wasn't as much as it seemed to me, but it seemed like every verse of his songs was an excuse to crotch grab.

I remember it was in the "Bad" video.

I recall at the time how the critics fell over themselves in praising "Bad" (the album, not just the song) as MJ showing "maturity" and "machismo" and being a "commanding presence."

Madonna was photographed shortly afterwards doing the same thing and was vilified for being "lewd" "shameless" etc.

I'm not necessarily in favor of public crotch grabs, but there certainly does seem to be double standard with critics.

Because musicians are busy playing their instruments.

You must be thinking of male singers.

P.S. have you ever watched Madonna sing? Or Tate McRae, Cardi B, or Sabrina Carpenter?

P.P.S. Yes, you are likely a fuddy duddy, although I agree all the stagecraft and gyrations tend to distract from the music, which may be the reason (with a few exceptions).

However, I do consider most singers to be muscians, as their voice is their instrument.

I love the 80's, but don't sell the 70's short either.

and it doesn't get any sexier than Mick.

When I see a crotch grabber I just want to say: "You can get medication so that doesn't hurt/itch so much."

And find it offensive no matter who does it. I tend to like the artist less after seeing them do it. For me it changes the song as well.

It was 1982 and the JUNO producers were concerned. Led by singer Carole Pope, the underground band Rough Trade — notorious for their blend of punk, R&B and musical theatre laced with satire and sexuality — were set to perform...and hopefully follow the rules.

Rough Trade co-founder Kevan Staples reflects: "So here we are on the JUNOs. We don't have a record contract. We're gonna be seen by all of Canada. We did the rehearsal in the afternoon and they were very specific about Carole not grabbing her crotch during the 'cream my jeans' line."

But how can you expect a provocative band to not provoke? Pope says: "What they were gonna try and censor was me grabbing my crotch, which I didn't do in rehearsal — and then I did on live TV."

While crotch grabbing onstage was set to become a thing in pop, with Michael Jackson and Madonna later making it famous, Pope is proud to have shocked first. "I grabbed my crotch, which I claim as mine. Madonna, sorry, Michael Jackson, I'm sorry. I did it first."

Ozzy Osbourne and Blackie Lawless come to mind. And, for the record, I am NEVER gonna complain about Robert Plant doing just about anything!

Jim Morrison exposed himself. Roger Daltry and Robert Plant wore pants so tight you could count the veins on their manhood, the album cover for the Stones Sticky Fingers was a zippered pair of jeans, with working zipper. Ian Anderson wore a Codpiece and did some things with a flute.

It wasn't just men either. As a young man I saw Joan Jett do a live version of "Do You Want to Touch Me There"? that left an impression on me...not to mention Madonna, Pat Benatar, Lita Ford, or Grace Slick.

It's been a part of rebellious youth for longer than the 80's.

I play bassoon in a symphony orchestra and I can't say I've ever grabbed my crotch while performing. LOL

...started doing it. I remember thinking at the time that there were few crotches I could be less interested in than his.

No matter who does it, I find it tacky and low class.

Shakespeare always has a line that fit just about anywhere. There are people who would argue a metronome is a musical instrument (indeed, a boring by-defintion-symphony of only metronomes exists out there somewhere), but I tend to back up slowly when they begin talking.

Its just a dance move

If they knew anything a sharp 2 is the same thing so they wouldn't have to feel so,,,,,, inadequate lol.

Just ask Derek Smalls