Many years ago (late 80s) I was working in entertainment, an assistant in the office that represented Levon for film. I got to spend time on the tour bus when he was in town at the Lone Star or wherever, just hanging out and getting high. He was the nicest guy. One particular time, I was hanging out in the back of the bus, pretty stoned, and I looked up to see who Lee was talking to so intently. It was Jeff Bridges - late 80s Jeff and that megawatt smile. I was too stoned to deal, and went to the front of the bus. After a few minutes of getting settled, I looked up again, to see who everyone was talking to. Late 80s Sam Shepherd. I just left the bus. Too much talent and truthfully gorgeous, manly man-ness for this stoned 20-something to manage. Nothing but nice memories of any Levon gig I managed to hang at. One of the good guys.
Great column. I love The Band. The problem with reading interviews of well known people you admire is that often the less you know the better. In this case (as in many others), the music speaks for itself and the backstory is quite messy.
Phil, Thank you! That was definitely the problem with Mel, although he revealed himself eventually. It made it hard to watch movies. There were some great performances, but I remembered monstrous people. On the other hand, I did get to hang out with Robin Williams for a few days. I'd put up with a lot of jerks to be able to do that again.
I take your point. I saw Robin Williams interviewed by Richard Brown at The New School, and it was wonderful. I was specifically thinking about the disputes between Robby Robertson and his former bandmates. I would prefer not to know more about what that was all about.
Many years ago (late 80s) I was working in entertainment, an assistant in the office that represented Levon for film. I got to spend time on the tour bus when he was in town at the Lone Star or wherever, just hanging out and getting high. He was the nicest guy. One particular time, I was hanging out in the back of the bus, pretty stoned, and I looked up to see who Lee was talking to so intently. It was Jeff Bridges - late 80s Jeff and that megawatt smile. I was too stoned to deal, and went to the front of the bus. After a few minutes of getting settled, I looked up again, to see who everyone was talking to. Late 80s Sam Shepherd. I just left the bus. Too much talent and truthfully gorgeous, manly man-ness for this stoned 20-something to manage. Nothing but nice memories of any Levon gig I managed to hang at. One of the good guys.
I absolutely LOVE the deadpan”My doctor told me to get some sun.” Hilarious!!!!
Another gem . . . how do you do it
It's as humorous today as it was the day you wrote it.
You elicited the "C" word from Mel Gibson???? Hats off.
Honestly, Theresa, it wasn’t a heavy lift.
This is wonderful! You made my day.
I feel better knowing that the reason I never made it at the New York Times was that I can't fake an orgasm.
yet....
Great column. I love The Band. The problem with reading interviews of well known people you admire is that often the less you know the better. In this case (as in many others), the music speaks for itself and the backstory is quite messy.
Phil, Thank you! That was definitely the problem with Mel, although he revealed himself eventually. It made it hard to watch movies. There were some great performances, but I remembered monstrous people. On the other hand, I did get to hang out with Robin Williams for a few days. I'd put up with a lot of jerks to be able to do that again.
I take your point. I saw Robin Williams interviewed by Richard Brown at The New School, and it was wonderful. I was specifically thinking about the disputes between Robby Robertson and his former bandmates. I would prefer not to know more about what that was all about.
Sign me up for your journalism course!
I believe we both matriculated on the same campus. Washington Square was the quad.
Yeah, and the teacher's lounge was the Lion's Head.
Much better than the piece about the sidechick to the royal!
Different strokes, Jon.
Love it. My favorite question when interviewing someone was And then what happened?” The person always tells you everything you didn’t know to ask.