Civil rights veteran becomes Internet sensation

Discussion

January 15, 2010

Anonymous The Daily Independent Fri Jan 15, 2010, 09:40 AM EST

Pants. On. The. Ground.

With those four words, "General" Larry Platt has gone from "American Idol" reject to Internet sensation.

The 63-year-old civil rights veteran performed his original hit at an audition for the show's ninth season, winning over judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi — and earning a nervous endorsement from incurable skeptic Simon Cowell.

"I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit," Cowell reluctantly predicted.

Platt's fan base exploded after the show Wednesday night, as his audition hit YouTube and Twitter. Within hours, he had been clicked and tweeted into one of the Internet's most popular topics.

On Thursday at his home in East Atlanta, the e-celebrity seemed dazed by the attention.

His show-stealing performance came at the end of the popular show that featured auditions from Atlanta taped on Aug. 17.

The spotlight on him, Contestant 103519 began singing — rapping? — the now infamous verse: "Pants on the ground! Pants on the ground! Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!"

Within moments of chanting the chorus, singer and guest judge Mary J. Blige sank into her chair and howled with laughter, tears filling her eyes. Jackson bobbed his head and smiled. And just as a scowl-faced Cowell tried to wrap up the performance, Platt dropped to the ground in a split.

For Platt, the song was just another one of his causes. He said Thursday that he and his civil rights colleagues sacrificed too much for today's youth to walk around with sagging pants.

Platt — his black jeans securely fastened — proudly showed off black and white photographs of himself alongside civil rights icons Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Congressman John Lewis, and pointed to plaques from city and state officials recognizing his social justice work as a dedicated foot soldier with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Platt, who worked to elect President Barack Obama, is still an activist, and can frequently be seen in downtown Atlanta holding signs protesting foreclosures, war, violence, racism and "any wicked things that take place."

After seeing a young father with his jeans below his waist, Platt said he was inspired to write "Pants On The Ground," and hopes his message of personal responsibility doesn't get lost in his popularity.

Bolstered by his newfound fame, Platt doesn't plan to stop singing his "Idol" anthem anytime soon.

Shaking his head at the end of the song, Cowell delivered the news that Platt was about three decades too old for the show.

But, he offered: "I don't think this is gonna be the last we hear about you. I have a feeling about you, Larry."

Text Only

Entertainment

SLIDESHOW: Madonna hypes Super Bowl halftime show Madonna answers questions from the media during a news conference to hype the halftime show for Super Bowl XLVI.
February 3, 2012
Something new on exhibit
Artist Janice LeBrun may not be far from home, but her journey as an artist ranges far and wide.

November 4, 2011 1 Photo
Creations celebrate Day of the Dead
After living in the Ashland area for about a year, Jessica Brooks had made some startling realizations about Appalachian culture. One of them had to do with death.

November 4, 2011 1 Photo
Webbville musician's album is receiving high praise
Bluegrass musician Brandon Adams is quietly finding success from his Webbville home and enjoying the influence of a wide variety of music.

November 3, 2011 1 Photo
'Coffee with a Conscience'
Event to generate funds to fight human trafficking

November 3, 2011 2 Photos
Christian music artist JJ Heller to perform in Ashland Saturday
Contemporary Christian recording artist JJ Heller will be in concert at 6 p.m. Saturday at Second Free Will Baptist Church.

October 28, 2011 1 Photo
Crowds embrace Dreamcult
Like many bands, the core of Dreamcult were friends since childhood.
Clint Adkins and Morton Counts met in grade school.

August 19, 2011 1 Photo
Monkee business
HUNTINGTON The pop band known as “The Pre-Fab Four” will perform in the Tri-State 45 years after their hit show and controversial music career.

August 11, 2011 1 Photo
Plenty more to come
As the Paramount Arts Center approaches its 80th birthday and the celebration that will ensue, the venue also announces its next lineup, which will include a variety of Broadway shows and musical events ranging from pop icons to classical masterpieces.

August 7, 2011
Summertime Festival features bluegrass music
With a heavy lineup of bluegrass music, Summertime Festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Poppy Mountain Campground on U.S. 60.

July 28, 2011
More Entertainment Headlines

Entertainment

Search Results

Discussion

Civil rights veteran becomes Internet sensation

Site Map

Contact Us