Forward Thinking: Massaging egos

While sitting in the movie theatre watching film festival documentary, The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector, about the eccentric - some might say psychotic - music producer, I couldn't help but wonder: is it possible to be famous without thinking the world revolves around you?

My ponderings probably had something to do with Michael Jackson dying, too. Although, despite being one of the most famous of all and most certainly living in his own little world, Jackson always seemed shy of fame rather than empowered by it.

Spector, on the other hand, thinks the world does revolve around him.

The doco, which features an in-depth and at times sycophantic interview with Spector, is excellent. It was shot in 2007 during his first trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles home in 2003. It was eventually declared a mistrial, but this year in a subsequent court case the 69-year-old was convicted of murder and sentenced to 19 years in prison.

The Agony and Ecstasy intertwines the interview with stunning archive footage of acts like the Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner, courtroom video of witnesses giving evidence as Spector looks on, and a soundtrack made up of Spector's greatest songs including You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and River Deep, Mountain High.

However, it's the sit-down with Spector - sometimes he's so scary and close-up, you see mucus residue running out of his nostril - that is priceless.

Sometimes he's insightful, although there is very little about his famed Wall of Sound production technique. He's also brilliantly funny, like his constant jibes at arch-enemy Paul McCartney ("[McCartney] is mistaking me for someone who gives a shit") and some of what he says is quite sweet, like how he impersonates close friend John Lennon whenever he talks about the late, great Beatle.

But most of it is the obsessive rantings of a man who can't see past the high opinion he has of himself and it makes for riveting viewing.

He's disparaging of Bob Dylan, and dislikes crooner Tony Bennett because they have both got accolades that he believes he deserves too.

While Spector is possibly on the extreme side of a famous person with an ego to match, it seems with fame comes chest-beating self-admiration.

There are exceptions, like Kate Winslet, who always has a bit of a laugh in interviews and comes across like your hot and friendly school teacher from high school.

Similarly, despite George Clooney's smug charisma, he's apparently an approachable and down-to-earth bloke (when he's not in the same room as Brad Pitt that is). And a colleague who interviewed Naomi Watts was gobsmacked to find the King Kong star was a sweet and - shock horror - straightforward soul.

I recently talked to veteran shock rocker and ace golfer Alice Cooper, who was a dude - then again there's nothing quite like talking about your golf swing as a great leveller.

In New Zealand it's easy to be famous without thinking a planet should be named after you. Take Neil Finn for example, otherwise known as Mr Let's Invite Everyone Over To The Recording Studio For A Few Beers.

And Dave Dobbyn - admittedly, more world famous in New Zealand but still famous - is a chatty chap who's likely to ask you more questions about yourself.

Then there are the prima donnas. Kanye West springs to mind. And Justin Timberlake is the only person I've had to sign a contract for before doing an interview. No personal questions was the main clause on the contract, which made for a very exciting interview.

And after interviewing Lady Gaga - before she was famous, I might add - I can safely say that chick thinks a whole solar system revolves around her.

You can't really blame famous people for being full of themselves. People love them, people want to be them, and if you're a famous musician, having tens of thousands of fans screaming at you every night must do wonders for your ego.

Still, Spector - the man who once held the Ramones at gunpoint during a recording session - takes the cake. And he was only a record producer and songwriter.