People like to gossip and talk shit, especially where famous folks are concerned - despite the fact that none of us are always on our best behavior in public. But yeah, it is probably a good policy not to read the comments - though I do think that the folks who comment on this substack (yourself included) generally gravitate to a higher level of discourse than you’ll tend to find on your average internet news item!
Yeah, I had to interview Brian once. He was perfectly nice, but we just wound up talking about food, because that was the only topic he seemed to have any real enthusiasm for.
The paradox of Love being such a great and unique band with so much to say and that fact that Arthur Lee was not a good interview. I loved this article.
I’ve had a couple of those over the course of my career too. My worst was Bob Hope; I interviewed him when I was 22 and working at the Houston Chronicle. Had done a bunch of research and given that my entire family watched him and his NBC specials, it was a big deal for me at the time.
No matter the question I asked, his answers were perfunctory at best and condescending at worst. He really didn’t want to be there and made no bones about it. Truly disappointing.
Whoa! I remember this story, but I didn't realize that he cost you your assignment and that you lost a contact over this. Summers Eve indeed! If I recall, he's currently in legal tussles with both Sting and Stewart Copeland. Sounds like a toxic individual.
This is so interesting because I interviewed Summers around 1990-91 and he couldn't have been nicer!
I never interviewed anyone who was outright confrontational or disinterested. I think the closest was Frank Zappa. But then again, hey, it was Zappa, and I somewhat expected it. He wasn't nasty at all, just seemed like he didn't want to talk to yet another "rock journalist," ha.
When The Benders opened for the Police at The Cain's while "Roxanne" was rising up the charts. Sting & Stewart were very polite to us. At their sound check Sting said, "Let's clear outta here so The Benders can get some sort of quick check." Andy responded with, "yeah, so we can hear some Led Zeppelin covers." He had not heard one note from my band (who certainly didn't do Zep covers), and this irritated the shit out of us. I can only assume he ingratiated all of their opening bands across the country with his snide remarks. For the record, I have never been a fan of clean jazzy chords played with a Tele through a chorus pedal. No tone, no vibrato...not interested. I'd rather listen to some Zep. F that guy.
The handful of people I know who have encountered Sting in person (in both interview and non-interview situations — see Mickey's comment above) have all told me that he was quite polite and surprisingly down-to-earth. Small sample size, I'll grant you, but still...
Well, hmph. I’ve read of multiple instances of him apologizing wholesale for “the ‘80s.” Then again, we share a friend in common—he actually accidentally gave me Sting’s email! Maybe you and I should write him a polite letter and ask which one of us is right….?
Nice, but I think we should ease into it a bit more gently. Something like: “Hey Gordon! Can you confirm or deny the multitude of rumors suggesting you were once (and may still be) a titanic tool-job, rivaling even supposedly mild-mannered guitarist Andy Summers?”
People like to gossip and talk shit, especially where famous folks are concerned - despite the fact that none of us are always on our best behavior in public. But yeah, it is probably a good policy not to read the comments - though I do think that the folks who comment on this substack (yourself included) generally gravitate to a higher level of discourse than you’ll tend to find on your average internet news item!
Yeah, I had to interview Brian once. He was perfectly nice, but we just wound up talking about food, because that was the only topic he seemed to have any real enthusiasm for.
The paradox of Love being such a great and unique band with so much to say and that fact that Arthur Lee was not a good interview. I loved this article.
Thanks. Arthur was a complicated man, that’s for damn sure!
I’ve had a couple of those over the course of my career too. My worst was Bob Hope; I interviewed him when I was 22 and working at the Houston Chronicle. Had done a bunch of research and given that my entire family watched him and his NBC specials, it was a big deal for me at the time.
No matter the question I asked, his answers were perfunctory at best and condescending at worst. He really didn’t want to be there and made no bones about it. Truly disappointing.
Ah, that sucks. I've heard that Hope could be pretty nasty off-stage.
Ha. You called him a douche
If the nozzle fits...
De Do Do Do Douche
Whoa! I remember this story, but I didn't realize that he cost you your assignment and that you lost a contact over this. Summers Eve indeed! If I recall, he's currently in legal tussles with both Sting and Stewart Copeland. Sounds like a toxic individual.
This is so interesting because I interviewed Summers around 1990-91 and he couldn't have been nicer!
I never interviewed anyone who was outright confrontational or disinterested. I think the closest was Frank Zappa. But then again, hey, it was Zappa, and I somewhat expected it. He wasn't nasty at all, just seemed like he didn't want to talk to yet another "rock journalist," ha.
I'm glad you had a positive encounter with Summers. But yeah, I would have expected as much from Zappa...
Oof. That had to be rough! So far I've had good luck; hope that doesn't run out any time soon.
I’ve heard that Copeland is equally unpleasant. IJS.
I am so sorry that Buster Poindexter was a dick.
Yeah, it was a bummer. But at least Syl was really cool.
When The Benders opened for the Police at The Cain's while "Roxanne" was rising up the charts. Sting & Stewart were very polite to us. At their sound check Sting said, "Let's clear outta here so The Benders can get some sort of quick check." Andy responded with, "yeah, so we can hear some Led Zeppelin covers." He had not heard one note from my band (who certainly didn't do Zep covers), and this irritated the shit out of us. I can only assume he ingratiated all of their opening bands across the country with his snide remarks. For the record, I have never been a fan of clean jazzy chords played with a Tele through a chorus pedal. No tone, no vibrato...not interested. I'd rather listen to some Zep. F that guy.
Well fuck me--a guitarist of a certain pedigree? Bichon Frisée or Shitzu? 🧐
Parts of those names would definitely apply here!
I am absolutely, positively, gleefully certain Sting has done all this and worse. Still: Thank you for yet another tale expertly told. And...sorry?
The handful of people I know who have encountered Sting in person (in both interview and non-interview situations — see Mickey's comment above) have all told me that he was quite polite and surprisingly down-to-earth. Small sample size, I'll grant you, but still...
Well, hmph. I’ve read of multiple instances of him apologizing wholesale for “the ‘80s.” Then again, we share a friend in common—he actually accidentally gave me Sting’s email! Maybe you and I should write him a polite letter and ask which one of us is right….?
"Hi, Gordon — are you now or were you ever as much of a dick as Andy Summers?"
Nice, but I think we should ease into it a bit more gently. Something like: “Hey Gordon! Can you confirm or deny the multitude of rumors suggesting you were once (and may still be) a titanic tool-job, rivaling even supposedly mild-mannered guitarist Andy Summers?”