The most surreal moment of my recent trip to N.Y.C. had to be seeing the Rock Bottom Remainders, a "band" consisting of authors Stephen King, Mitch Albom, Amy Tan, Dave Barry and others.
No great musical chops here (Stephen King in particular seemed profoundly uncomfortable on rhythm guitar and pained vocals), but there were the good vibes of a bunch of writers living out their secret rock star fantasies.
The group was joined by Byrds legend Roger McGuinn for a few songs (Mr. Tambourine Man, Turn Turn Turn, Chimes of Freedom and You Ain't Goin Nowhere). Always enjoy hearing that 12 string Rickenbacker and his understated vocals. Even backed up by surely the worst supporting band of his career, he pulled it off beautifully.
Outside the venue, saw Stephen King leaving with friends to hop a cab. Chased after and took a really bad picture with my cell phone camera. King awkwardly loping away, makes eye contact for a moment. I can tell he's thinking: "what the hell are you chasing me for?" Good question. What am I chasing him for? I must have been caught up in the moment.
Also picked up a copy of the new Warren Zevon biography "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead", signed by the author, Warren's ex-wife Crystal Zevon, who was at the show.
Its a hair-raising tale of rock star excess told by those who knew him best. What really comes through is how far he went to sabotage his own success with a truly out of control alcohol problem and a bad attitude. Any more successful and the man would have expired long before he finally succumbed to lung cancer in 2003 at the age of 56.
Zevon was his own worst enemy. Fortunately he was intelligent and funny and honest enough to pull it off. He was full of contradictions, like his music, often veering between brutal cynicism and unexpected sweetness. What a glorious mess. Dirty life and times, indeed.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
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