Pretty cool, Animal. Looks like you had a lot of fun and some great experiences over the years.
Its more bitter sweet. Its a life and soul sucking biz with snakes around every corner wanting your job. Very similar to egos of flight sims. Have one bad event, even if its not your fault, the hyenas come out and within 24 hrs half the industry knows about it and use it as a tool to destroy your reputation and take your job, even if they know they can’t handle it. We all know each other, news passes very quick. I never lost a show,…so not too much worry.
I had a few who were foolish enough to try me. One guy spent years trying to pummel me. When I took the Aretha return tour, I had to pass on a show at a popular venue I worked. This guy finally got his chance as I created a vacuum. He coughed blood on his first show, was fired that night. He just cooked his reputation and was done besides small fest and bars. I torched a few like that. Skyyrs are everywhere.
Your name is EVERYTHING. I spent 45 yrs building my name. The behind the curtains tribe, I was famous to them and artist, high demand, calendar was always stuffed. Common joe doesn’t know my name, the industry does. I was told when I walk in I make every sound engineer nervous. People I never met knew who I was. Took Chicago Tribune 1.5 yrs to get an interview and have a full page story about me, still out there. Bad editing but it was a kinda tribute.
So when people drag your name into a negative light you’re going to pummel them to pieces.
Key proof my name is clear,… if ANYTHING some here tried to exploit was true I would have NEVER EVER passed a secret service bkg check and be allowed on any president speech. I worked with the last 7 presidents. That aline is proof what some tried to do here is 110% bullsht. I have WH clearance since 91.
Rick Derringer (Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo) cured me of star-struck on my first pro concert in 81. I was a huge fan, was excited. Met him on stage getting ready for sound check, just talking like normal people. Small talk. Then I asked for an autograph and watched him instantly change that I was now a fan and he was the star. Totally changed. It was disheartening. I never asked for a photo or autograph ever again. I took the stance, I can make you or break you with one knob out of 3000, we will speak on an equal professional level or you’ll have a bad night. I get paid to keep the stage and artist in line and performing well. People like Rick James had a bad night.
Most are friendly and respect my power and I respect their status, we have names.. BB King, Alice Cooper and Ringo Starr topped my list of very friendly down to earth people, just cool peeps. BB King was like family for 12 yrs.
Point being, I will protect my name, however ridiculous, even if I have to go legal. Toy with my name and thou shall feel how hard my bite is. My name feeds me.
Just remember, I’m just another dude, with an odd job, nothing more, nothing less. I leave my work at work and go fishing.
