Did you stay on the fringes? Walk away? My husband was part of it, and he eventually walked away, just like I did. I had to sleep. But we still love the music, he still plays, and I still play my records. Down to 10 guitars!
That was profoundly sad Lucian, I spent years in a parallel universe, and I’m lucky to have survived it with any sense of sanity. I wouldn’t do a line of coke now it was free on every corner, I went years and never ran out, what a colossal waste of my time and good fortune. I’m trying to make up for it now, I’m happy with the photos I’m making and the reason I’m making them. I watched the 60 Minutes piece on the Firefighters and 9/11, it was deeply moving, as anything about 9/11 usually is. As a combat vet I totally got the courage it took and the dedication to saving others that motivated those men to climb the stairs up into the inferno. It was playing in my mind as I worked on a photo of a flaming sunflower shortly before sitting to read your piece. When I think about lives lived and touched, I think I’d rather stand with the hero’s of 9/11, than our troubadour’s and their self indulgent lives. I’m glad you made it through that period as well, there were times when it was a close run thing. 🙏
I loved The Concert for Bangladesh and had the double set 8 track tape plus watched the movie a lot as a projectionist in the local theater. I just played a few scenes and songs with Leon Russel from the movie the other day. Gary died to young it seems, but that’s Hollywood. Sad. Thanks Lucian, hard core stuff, but for the grace of…..
As I said before, Lucian, I look forward to Sunday because I know you will take me away. Did you ever tonight. I'm a survivor too. Never thought much about the 94 hour days building real sfx for tv and film and dashing home for a shower and clean underwear and zip back to the shop to get it to the soundstage and set up for the shoot. Over and over. Months and years. We were all a bit younger then. Some bailed, some survived, some didn't.
That's a monumental piece, really. And such a relief to unplug from politics for a few minutes--thanks!
Very very depressing, wow.
A sad, wasted life.
"A SAD, WASTED LIFE"
Kate, many would agree with you but Kellgren and some others might disagree.
When I walked the Serengity 15000 years ago I passed at 35.
Incredible…both subject and the telling of it. Wow!
My era. Loved the article. Took me back to my salad days.
Did you stay on the fringes? Walk away? My husband was part of it, and he eventually walked away, just like I did. I had to sleep. But we still love the music, he still plays, and I still play my records. Down to 10 guitars!
Another fabulous article. Loved every word.
We should have lunch one of these days
That was profoundly sad Lucian, I spent years in a parallel universe, and I’m lucky to have survived it with any sense of sanity. I wouldn’t do a line of coke now it was free on every corner, I went years and never ran out, what a colossal waste of my time and good fortune. I’m trying to make up for it now, I’m happy with the photos I’m making and the reason I’m making them. I watched the 60 Minutes piece on the Firefighters and 9/11, it was deeply moving, as anything about 9/11 usually is. As a combat vet I totally got the courage it took and the dedication to saving others that motivated those men to climb the stairs up into the inferno. It was playing in my mind as I worked on a photo of a flaming sunflower shortly before sitting to read your piece. When I think about lives lived and touched, I think I’d rather stand with the hero’s of 9/11, than our troubadour’s and their self indulgent lives. I’m glad you made it through that period as well, there were times when it was a close run thing. 🙏
Sorry - Boatlift!
I also watched it. Very moving. They saved many lives, including mine. Have you seen the 9/11 Boatload? Very moving as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDOrzF7B2Kg
I'm kind of speechless. How did you survive, Lucian?
I took lots of notes.
Another question is how were you allowed in!?
I think I answered that in my preface to the piece. I had an appointment for an interview.
Good grief. An interesting car wreck. Need to reread it when it's earlier and horror seems less proximate. But I truly appreciate you and your writing
I loved The Concert for Bangladesh and had the double set 8 track tape plus watched the movie a lot as a projectionist in the local theater. I just played a few scenes and songs with Leon Russel from the movie the other day. Gary died to young it seems, but that’s Hollywood. Sad. Thanks Lucian, hard core stuff, but for the grace of…..
Fixed it!
Great article. But to this 84 year retired Narc. NO SUPRISE.
Reminds me of Scotty Bowers, Full Service.
Prostitution and drugs since the beginning of "civilization."
Civilization, now there's a story.
I lived that dream, but smaller. Kind of Outhouse California.
Funny.
I drank at the real Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico.
Besides the normal town folks the
Hotel and the best Hamburger joint were occupied by Mexican drug dealers, American buyers and US, UC narcs.
Todos Santos, Baja???
California Peninsula Baja
Damn depressing
As I said before, Lucian, I look forward to Sunday because I know you will take me away. Did you ever tonight. I'm a survivor too. Never thought much about the 94 hour days building real sfx for tv and film and dashing home for a shower and clean underwear and zip back to the shop to get it to the soundstage and set up for the shoot. Over and over. Months and years. We were all a bit younger then. Some bailed, some survived, some didn't.
Superb.
Dazzling reporting and writing. What a whoosh back to another world….