I wrote this two years ago when Bob Neuwirth died at 82, and today I have the pleasure of reprinting it on the 50th anniversary of his first self-titled album, recorded in 1974, which will be available for sale and downloads on September 27.
18 hrs ago·edited 18 hrs agoLiked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
I shall say again: Got to know sober Bob in the 1990s on his visits to Austin in the 1990s for South By Southwest through my friend Paula Batson, his longtime partner. The guy who was Dylan's attack dog in "Don't Look Back" had matured into a man of such sweetness and Zen calm.
But he could still slice to the bone, as on this song George Jones should have covered:
Isn't it wonderful? Zen meditations meets the Louvin Brothers or some such. Makes me think of the woman I refer to as "my now-former ex-wife (so bad at the gig I fired her)."
18 hrs ago·edited 18 hrs agoLiked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
Well, I'd say we all wish we'd had your life, but in some small way I think we all have experiences similar to this, but in different realms. During my freshman year at Berkeley in 1968-69, I learned the hard way that it's better to be unknown and I've spent the rest of my life avoiding well known people. All my boyfriends knew I rarely went to parties, and my husband always asks, but I usually don't go. This summer was unusual, I went to an 80th birthday party, but skipped the 60th birthday party. Do what makes you happy, pay attention and don't get hurt, that's what I say.
Wow Lucian you are the man, I read your other memories stories and truly you were living in the hotel California . I am honored to be able to read some of your stories. Thank you for sharing! Wow, Ali, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Hendrix, the Beatles! Wow you are the man!!🧍♂️
I usually read your posts right before bed Lucian, these trips down memory lane trip my own and always make me smile, thanks buddy this was one of your best, it seems that you have a lifetime supply. 🙏
WOW ! Just plain WOW !!! This is beyond the ultra valley of the cool ! REALLY - ought to be in a memoir and shared before all the people who would know how F'ing cool it is have passed to the great beyond - better hurry ! It's got "BESTSELLER" written all over it.
Yes! Lucian, please. Putting together the book should be a breeze—just put all your mind-blowingly great memory pieces in vaguely chronological order, interspersed with all the great pictures I’m sure you have, and ship it to the publisher. I second Jim Blake—this is gonna blow the doors off the bestseller list. The book, we need the BOOK!
Yeah, I’ll third and fourth that…..and one unexpected bonus of your “column” is hearing and feeling the many other individuals living out their lives here among us, feeling the beat, touching the threads.
Lucian: Deep down, my thinking - you walk on water.
Absolutely effing extraordinary. Mind boggling.
This was such a fun read! Thank you. Glad you survived the good old days!
I shall say again: Got to know sober Bob in the 1990s on his visits to Austin in the 1990s for South By Southwest through my friend Paula Batson, his longtime partner. The guy who was Dylan's attack dog in "Don't Look Back" had matured into a man of such sweetness and Zen calm.
But he could still slice to the bone, as on this song George Jones should have covered:
https://youtu.be/k4q8jBiOVLI
Rob—your comment and ♪ make me doubly sad I never met Bob. What a classic that tune is.
Isn't it wonderful? Zen meditations meets the Louvin Brothers or some such. Makes me think of the woman I refer to as "my now-former ex-wife (so bad at the gig I fired her)."
? That must mean you remarried her? (I'm better myself at being an ex.)
Nope. She did a Saturn return 23 years after our first time around and proved herself a liar and gaslighter of Trumpian proportions.
What a life — both yours and Neuwirth’s!
Well, I'd say we all wish we'd had your life, but in some small way I think we all have experiences similar to this, but in different realms. During my freshman year at Berkeley in 1968-69, I learned the hard way that it's better to be unknown and I've spent the rest of my life avoiding well known people. All my boyfriends knew I rarely went to parties, and my husband always asks, but I usually don't go. This summer was unusual, I went to an 80th birthday party, but skipped the 60th birthday party. Do what makes you happy, pay attention and don't get hurt, that's what I say.
I forgot to say, WOW!
Such a decent great guy. Got to know him and Paula in Playa del Carmen. Really loved him for his caring profound intelligence.
Wow Lucian you are the man, I read your other memories stories and truly you were living in the hotel California . I am honored to be able to read some of your stories. Thank you for sharing! Wow, Ali, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Hendrix, the Beatles! Wow you are the man!!🧍♂️
You probably know but just in case, Kinky died here in Texas at the ranch in June of this year. He was a character for sure.
I heard that. So sad. I knew him a long, long time.
Hey Man.... I spent those years in San Fancisco, same people sometimes, usually more beats... same result... I really kicked back on this memory
thanks for the ,
chuck
You bring us right into the
story Lucian. Thank you for
sharing these memories.
I usually read your posts right before bed Lucian, these trips down memory lane trip my own and always make me smile, thanks buddy this was one of your best, it seems that you have a lifetime supply. 🙏
WOW ! Just plain WOW !!! This is beyond the ultra valley of the cool ! REALLY - ought to be in a memoir and shared before all the people who would know how F'ing cool it is have passed to the great beyond - better hurry ! It's got "BESTSELLER" written all over it.
Yes! Lucian, please. Putting together the book should be a breeze—just put all your mind-blowingly great memory pieces in vaguely chronological order, interspersed with all the great pictures I’m sure you have, and ship it to the publisher. I second Jim Blake—this is gonna blow the doors off the bestseller list. The book, we need the BOOK!
Yeah, I’ll third and fourth that…..and one unexpected bonus of your “column” is hearing and feeling the many other individuals living out their lives here among us, feeling the beat, touching the threads.
A…MAZ…ING!!!!!!
Hey, man, what a hang!
👍👍👍