It's just another victory for the marketing department. I would venture to guess that we all start out imitating somebody. It's just a pity that someone figured out that there was a lot of money to be made in not developing past that point.

Perhaps if this trend would have been considered viable in the early 60's Dylan would never have gotten beyond putting on a good Woody Guthrie show, or the Beatles beyond a combined Elvis (John), Little Richard(Paul in black face, of course) and Carl Perkins (George) tribute.

It just seems so cheap to benefit from the creativity and "sweat equity" that the originals put into building their reputation. Geez, if someone can pull off the look and dance moves of a Brittany Spears, she ought to shoot higher than imitation; after all, what else is there to Brit's celebrity? Oh yeah - Lots of money. How could I forget.