I understand you’re having something of an existential moment Tim. Many of us are. But following your own advice, to stay in your lane, is a good idea. Don’t get wrapped up in the emotions of the moment. It’s not worth it. We have so little control. You are one of the leading voices in music journalism, have been for some time. Take comfort in knowing that you’ve made a difference in the lives of people like me who’ve been reading your byline since the 90s.
BTW, Bob: "Stay in (my) own lane" was not MY own advice. It was the angry advice a Trump-supporting troll who snuck in to abuse me for endorsing Kamala Harris. So, I was using that phrase sarcastically. All I'm saying is, I may need to pull back a bit and write more about punk/rock 'n' roll/Afghanistanian sheep farming/whatever the fuck you call this music and culture we love. Thank you.
Bob, thank you. I'm a little overwhelmed by your kind words. I don't often get positive feedback for my writing -- it's usually the angry guy with an agenda, lashing out at me! I appreciate your remarks. Thank you. 🙂
Thinking about it, since those fresh-wound days after the election, I kinda feel that more than ever we need to focus on the things that make us who we are. Like a lot of us, I crashed emotionally after the election. Picking up the pieces, I realized that music and music writing is almost the perfect antidote for the upcoming disaster.
We need you to keep doing your writing about music. It’s more important now than ever. It keeps my mind happy and healthy as I too need to avoid the crud.
I agree that Little Richard is sadly forgotten lately. But this is what happens when culture fades away... People remember Mark Twain and Edgar Allen Poe from the 19th century, but not Bret Harte, Ambrose Bierce and other popular writers from that time. People remember Marilyn Monroe, while other blonde bombshells such as Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren become obscure. People remember The Beatles, but the Dave Clark Five and other British Invasion bands? Yes, The Kinks and The Who went on to bigger and better, but who cares about Gerry and the Pacemakers anymore? The Animals are one of my favorite British Invasion bands, but I don't think they became "immortals" like the Beatles and the Stones.
It will become interesting as baby boomers "age out" and die and rock 'n' roll culture fades away. What will be remembered and what will be forgotten? Will people 50 years from now care about the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and the punk rock movement?
Good question, re: Eddie and Gene. I know you and I do, at least. Think a future appreciation of those two rockabilly titans here at The 'Stack is in order, Peter?
I wrote about Dion and "The Wanderer," and woke censorship of the musical past, in my second or third Substack post, Peter. Come to the site and search it out!
I understand you’re having something of an existential moment Tim. Many of us are. But following your own advice, to stay in your lane, is a good idea. Don’t get wrapped up in the emotions of the moment. It’s not worth it. We have so little control. You are one of the leading voices in music journalism, have been for some time. Take comfort in knowing that you’ve made a difference in the lives of people like me who’ve been reading your byline since the 90s.
BTW, Bob: "Stay in (my) own lane" was not MY own advice. It was the angry advice a Trump-supporting troll who snuck in to abuse me for endorsing Kamala Harris. So, I was using that phrase sarcastically. All I'm saying is, I may need to pull back a bit and write more about punk/rock 'n' roll/Afghanistanian sheep farming/whatever the fuck you call this music and culture we love. Thank you.
Bob, thank you. I'm a little overwhelmed by your kind words. I don't often get positive feedback for my writing -- it's usually the angry guy with an agenda, lashing out at me! I appreciate your remarks. Thank you. 🙂
Thinking about it, since those fresh-wound days after the election, I kinda feel that more than ever we need to focus on the things that make us who we are. Like a lot of us, I crashed emotionally after the election. Picking up the pieces, I realized that music and music writing is almost the perfect antidote for the upcoming disaster.
You’re a great writer Tim!
Thank you, Lori. And you're one of my favorite readers. ❤️
We need you to keep doing your writing about music. It’s more important now than ever. It keeps my mind happy and healthy as I too need to avoid the crud.
OMG! Thank you!
I agree that Little Richard is sadly forgotten lately. But this is what happens when culture fades away... People remember Mark Twain and Edgar Allen Poe from the 19th century, but not Bret Harte, Ambrose Bierce and other popular writers from that time. People remember Marilyn Monroe, while other blonde bombshells such as Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren become obscure. People remember The Beatles, but the Dave Clark Five and other British Invasion bands? Yes, The Kinks and The Who went on to bigger and better, but who cares about Gerry and the Pacemakers anymore? The Animals are one of my favorite British Invasion bands, but I don't think they became "immortals" like the Beatles and the Stones.
It will become interesting as baby boomers "age out" and die and rock 'n' roll culture fades away. What will be remembered and what will be forgotten? Will people 50 years from now care about the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and the punk rock movement?
I just hope I stay alive long enough to see.
I think people remember The Animals well enough, at least I hope they do. I wonder if people remember Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent?
Good question, re: Eddie and Gene. I know you and I do, at least. Think a future appreciation of those two rockabilly titans here at The 'Stack is in order, Peter?
I do think so, yes!!!! I also love the post Belmonts output of Dion from the early sixties - very overlooked I think.....
I wrote about Dion and "The Wanderer," and woke censorship of the musical past, in my second or third Substack post, Peter. Come to the site and search it out!
Tim - oh!! I will search it out then, thanks!!!
I hope you do too, John. And you named a bunch of my favorites here. Then again, I'm as old as whatever's probably your favorite Animals album. 😉
jesus this well wriitten. as ever. and every word if true, too, utterly so
Why, thank you, Jack! Very kind of you. You're always welcome around here.