Entertainment For Lively Minds
So who are the good guys?
Posted by Alan Latchley on 26 April 2011 - 8:41am.
Ok so we pretty much agree that most rock stars are pouting, immature, narcissistic spoilt brats and also probably closet nazis. I suspect this is true since when a member of this shabby crew turns out to be a genuinely nice person - you know, unassuming, generous with their time, kind, thoughtful, that kind of thing - we tend to hear about it.
Who are/were these people? I’ll start you with Mr Roy Orbison, about whom I have never read a bad word.
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Clash
Van Morrison! No,only joking. Mick Jones was very nice when I met him and he always comes across well on interviews.
Mick Jones
I also met him a couple years back, at a record store signing. He was very nice, talked quite a while, made jokes, and posed for pictures. Later that night at his concert, he invited me and a number of others up on stage to dance and sing along to "Police on my Back". Great fellow.
BB King
Never heard a bad word about him.
I did wonder why Andrew Harrison wanted to know from Janice Long who the really horrible people were, rather than the ones who are a joy to work with. Are we more interested in horrible people?
From anything i've ever seen or read...
Coldplay's Chris Martin seems like a decent, level headed chap.
aah, but...
to quote the "Asterix" books (in relation to the village bard): "As long as he doesn't speak, let alone sing, everyone likes him"
Plant
H emay have been a little wild in his youth but I suspect it would be hard to find a bad word to say about Robert Plant. Unless you're a West Brom fan of course.
Others that come to mind are Nick Lowe, Nick Cave, Richard Thompson, Chris Rea, Jarvis Cocker, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, Guy Garvey etc etc.
Actually..I think the list of good guys is far far longer than the bad boy list.
Costello....
had that Ray Charles incident though, didn't he?
Or is that forgiven because it was said "in drink"?
Bloody hell
Yes, it's forgiven.
Because it *was* said "in drink". Under provocation. Over thirty years ago. Because Ray Charles himself forgave him. And because Costello, in both word and deed, has made it eminently clear on numerous occasions since that there is not an ounce of racist blood in his body and that he totally regrets what he said that night.
Why "bloody hell"?
It was a genuine question.
And it was a genuine answer
But to my mind, it's a question that doesn't need to be asked, again and again (and not just by you), thirty-odd years after the event, for all the reasons I set out above.
It was an expression of mild exasperation on my part, nothing more. Apologies if it offended.
The fact that I was seven years old...
when the incident occurred and missed the initial furore probably explains why I wasn't too au fait with the fact that it's been explained over and over.
No need to apologise, no offence taken.
what about the
Bruce Thomas thing? and the Cait O'Riordan thing? Also anyone who releases that version os 'She' on the public is surely in league with Satan and his minions.
As a fan...
I met Costello 3 times and he was too nice considering how much if a crazed fan I am.
Shared a toilet with him once.
Backstage at Glastonbury in the late 80s ( the time of 'Spike' )- I was a cub reporter for BBC Radio Wales and had wangled a press pass. Only the two of us in the portaloo. We stood next to each other and I genuinely couldn't think of anything to say. Well, what would you have said?
"Wow. Your aim IS true. "
No pressure, but
Elvis did one of those Storyteller things about 15 years ago. He said something like "if another review mentions ´his aim is still true´ I´ll personally strangle the guy."
I´d just discovered him and All This Useless Beauty is one of my favourites. "I´m certain as a lost dog, pondering a sign post" still makes me chuckle.
Pump it up?
Or Accidents Will Happen?
Agree totally with you Paul
And also one of rocks other nice guys Bruce Springsteen said recently that Costello was one of the 'sweetest guys he had ever met'. As did Emmylou Harris. Think you will find the consensus is he is a good egg these days. I said some pretty dreadful things in my youth and early 20's - I dont think they are representative of how I am now. When I was 5 I liked Mary had a little lamb. Have moved on since then.
Thanks Steve - but 'Nice Guy Bruce?'...
...what about the 'Canoe Incident' many, many years ago?
He's a wrong 'un, I tell you!
Costello x 2
Not condoning his comments, although, it was many years ago & he has sincerely apologised.
I have said & done many thing "in drink" that I regret (&, to be fair, many things I have no regrets about either).
I like to think that I am a better person than perhaps my worst 15 minutes of behaviour would have me seem.
Then again, arent we all?
Exactly what I was trying to say Les
But put far more nicely.
Does that mean
we've also forgiven Clapton and Bowie for their racist/fascist moments of madness?
After all, Clapton's extraordinary outburst was no more vitriolic than Costello's drunken comments.
I can....
....Only speak for myself, but, yes, I have forgiven them.
I think both were influenced by "Mood altering substances", & as such, I think a pinch of salt should be taken.
I agree with you
although whoever wrote Clapton's Wikipedia entry regarding this unfortunate business clearly has an axe to grind.
Sadly, that's so often the case with Wikipedia entries
Bowie's comments and actions
were during the time his diet consisted of the finest cocaine Columbia had to offer, some vodka and a slice of brown toast once every three days.
Clapton's were made during a two-bottles of Brandy
a day habit.
I presume Coatello's were made under the influence of something.
Drugs, of all sorts, make you say dumb things.
Percy Plant
A local story about him from not long ago, which I will paraphrase:
Steve Bull was hosting a charity do at the Moulinex a few months back (launching his charity foundation thingy) and PP was doing a turn as part of the entertainment.
Crooning over, PP left the room to get towelled down at which point the auction began.
Eventually, an item appeared which was a ball owned by SB, signed by the England 1990 World Cup squad of which he was a member. Lots of names (Gazza, Lineker etc), worth a bit.
Bidding was flagging so Bully put in a bid himself for something like a grand and it looked like he was going to be landed with his own ball. At this point in walked PP, instantly bidding two grand and winning.
The following day PP rang Bully's missus for the account details to transfer over the cash, finishing the conversation with "by the way, tell Steve he can keep the ball for another occasion". Now thats class.
Pal of mine met Percy at an airport
he was in the executive lounge in, I think, Charles De Gaulle Airport and Plant ambled over in Marks direction, and sat down. Their plane to London was late arriving, so they could see it taxiing into position, as the Tannoy thing apologised for the late arrival and said that boarding would happen soon.
Mark looked over at Percy, grinned, and said 'Jesus, 'tis a far shout from groupies on your own 747, isn't it Robert...'
Plant laughed, and ice duly broken, they had a very enjoyable chat. He's a most affable gent, by all accounts.
I haven't met Robert Plant...
But look at this clip of him doing charity busking in a shopping centre in 1989. Obviously a top bloke:
It's even better... It wasn't 'his show'.
The band were made up of local Policemen and were playing in Kidderminster shopping centre for charity. Plant was out and about in town and joined in on his way past.
Mick Ronson
was apparently an all-round diamond geezer.
Sir George Henry Martin CBE
Anyone see the documentary last night? If not, pop over to the iPlayer and invest 90 minutes in it. I've always been aware that he played an important role in The Beatles story but what an intelligent, creative, nurturing, amazing man.
I thought it was the law
that we had to mention Dave Grohl as "the nicest man in rock." Though perhaps Guy Garvey could be taking that crown.
Nope, Dave wins.
This is because I'm not envious of his ability to make every woman I know melt into a small puddle of desire (on the grounds that he has no such ability. I'm told it's the teeth). If Garvey wasn't such an utter fanny-magnet, he'd probably win, but he is. So he doesn't.
Oh, I don't know...
I wouldn't kick Dave out of my bed.
The teeth/slightly goofy grin is rather charming, I think.
There is something offputting about people that are too perfect looking IMHO.
Can't comment on Garvey, name doesn't ring a bell. But if most women think he's attractive then I bet I don't... Brad Pitt ? Ugliest bloke on the planet.
Brad Pitt he ain't.
He's a tall, slightly chubby, slightly shambling great bear of a man. But he's very good looking and exudes decency and charm.
Hell, I would.
This is good to know
That's my excuse. I could be more attractive if I wanted, but it'd just be off-putting.
Morrissey's
pretty straightforward and down to earth isn't he?
Hari Georgeson
always came across as a decent human being. I was particularly taken with his comments when asked (in the 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today' doco) whether he still believed that All You Need Is Love.
Worth watching. The section I am referring to starts 3 mins in
Yes...love him too of course...but...
*whisper it* he could be a bit of a cantankerous and sulky bugger at times couldn't he?
Aren't we all?
Doesn't that add to the likeability? It does for me anyway
Oh I agree,
hell, I'm easily cantakerousized myself. But I thought we were looking for rock and pop nobility who were temperamentally unimpeachable.
temperamentally unimpeachable
Well, the chances of them being both temperamentally unimpeachable AND of any interest whatever are pretty unlikely. I very much doubt whether Roy Orbison never showed a flash of temper. But that makes him human. and isn't it humanity we are really looking for.
I think it was the 'never read a bad word' bit in the OP
which led me in that direction. Apologies if I misinterpreted it.
Marilyn Manson
Bizarrely. Absolute gent when I met him hanging around the bar of the Savoy years back. Bought the drinks and spent a couple of hours chatting and banging on about Gary Numan and Depeche Mode. Far more pleasant company than the agents and football lawyers I was there with!
I've heard though he's an utter arse to his road crew and employees.
Liam Gallagher too....lovely chap. Shame his hangers on were such a veritable bunch of see you next Tuesdays.
Jack White
was the epitome of hospitality and bonhomie when I met him once for an interview. It was early on in the Stripes career ( first UK tour ) so maybe he got a bit fed up with it all later but he was charm personified. He even recorded an answerphone message for me and happily allowed me to strum his guitar. Meg didn't say much. But she smiled a lot.
Greg Lake
Diamond geezer. Solo tour, Greg and musicians happily sat at tables after the show, signing everything put in front of them and posing for photographs for as long as required. Did it all with a great big grin on his face. It was also free - no requirement to purchase latest CD, etc. Has since donated a bundle of signed photographs taken on the tour to my charity via the photographer who took them.
The opposite of The Original Asia, I understand, where there was no certainty which members would appear to reluctantly sign the latest CD purchased from their own merchandise stall.
Teenage Fanclub
... nicest band in rock, I'd always assumed?
Joe Strummer and Mick Jones...
poor old Joe gets a right shoeing on this Blog but he was genuinely nice and extremely friendly and he lit up the room with his smile. Lovely guy, as is Mick Jones - such a charming chap and it was so great to see him at a recent Big Audio Dynamite gig, grinning throughout the whole set, enjoying playing and lapping up the audience's reaction.
Marco Pirroni of the Wolfmen and once of Adam & The Ants is also a thoroughly nice guy, underrated guitarist too...
In my own experience
Kathryn Williams
Graham Coxon
Robyn Hitchcock
Stevie Nieve (can't say Costello as I was struck dumb)
Chris n Suggs n Woody from Madness
Surely
Noddy Holder,Eliza Carthy,Joe Boyd and even Andy Partridge also deserve a mention
Norma Waterson
is a very nice lady. As is Linda Thompson. Not sure Richard was that nice a guy in his Sufi-religious-commune days, but then people generally aren't when they're being earnestly religious.
I was genuinely dismayed at just how much of an arsehole John Martyn apparently was (recent Word feature on Rock Wives). Thinking about those well-reported brawling drunken exploits it shouldn't be a great surprise, but it was nonetheless.
Jimmy Carl Black was a really nice geezer. Jim White is a nice guy. Both very friendly. I'm going to see Jim White at The Jazz Café in Camden on Monday night.
And the correct answer is....
Sir Billiam of Bragg.
That is the right answer.
From Personal experience
Worked a lot of gigs over the years as Security/roadie. Here's my list
Joe Brown -A Gent and the funniest guy ever. Get him on the Podcast. An Anecdote teller par excellence.
Noddy Holder-Just a nice bloke who lived not far from my mum.
Jools Holland-He's married to my flatmate's ex-Girlfriend's sister and have chatted to him about British bikes a few times. A Good man
Bryan Adams- Worked a gig with him and he was a delight,played soccer with us and bought all the beer.
Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell-Did a joint tour and got to meet both and got them to sign albums and Johnny Cash asked me which tracks I liked.Both had time for everyone.
Second Hand-
Robert Plant,-known to my Uncle Eric (RIP) as "Robert from The Wolves".Eric didn't have any idea who he was but every time he saw him on TV or in a Mag,he'd always comment on what a nice bloke he was as he'd been chatting to him at Molineux for years.When Wefinally explained who he was it meant nothing to Old Czech Coal Miner like Eric.
I met Tim Booth
(of James fame) last Thursday night, because my husband is a terribly embarrassing fanboi and he was charm personified. Great gig too.
Ronnie Lane...
...utterly useless with money, let people walk all over him, but a true, true heart.
Nick Cave?
I'd always thought of him as a chippy, difficult old git, particularly with journalists.
Good guys:
Jarvis Cocker
Kristin Hersh.
Peter Hook
Very generous and considerate guy.
Seconded
A very good bloke indeed as was Rob Gretton
I was bowled over
to discover that Johnny Marr is a ruddy bloody nice bloke.
I met him after a Yoko Ono gig at the Southbank and waited for him to finish speaking to Mark Moore (S'Express). I asked him to sign the book I was reading, Jon Savage's England's Dreaming and he engaged me in a conversation about Jon's lifes work. The FPO wanted to go, unaware of just what Johnny's work meant to me through the years and I actually had to make my excuse and leave. Shameful, but we still managed a good ten minute chat while I saw his FPO getting a bit restless too.
I know what PFO means
But what does it stand for?
(Apart from Freedom Party of Austria.)
FPO = Fun Prevention Officer
Not that I would know from personal experience, of course...
Thank you, uncle Paul
Considering the level of PC in gender issues in Sweden I better just keep schtum.
Tut!
What are those Scandinavian lovelies bothering their pretty little heads about now? Bless them.
Tut?
Ha! That´s a good word to start with if you´re learning Swedish. Good luck!
Ian Dury. No, wait!
I know he had a reputation of being diabolical after a few pints but when I met him on three occasions, he was always affable and charming.
At one of those seated county halls gigs in leafy Sussex, he was grumbling on stage that nobody was dancing, so I took it upon myself to waltz down to the front and bop like a loon on my own until I was eventually joined by half the audience two numbers later. When I met him a year later after another gig, he remarked, "You're the geezer who got everybody dancing in fucking Tunbridge Wells. Nice one, my son!"
Oi, and indeed, Oi!
Met him at a theatre in Bristol where he was appearing
He met everyone at the door and said hello. I was with a very attractive girl so he shook my hand, stepped back and eyed her up and down, he then turned to me and nodding his approval said 'Sweet'. Top man.
Bernard Butler
Chatted to him after a McAlmont & Butler gig once, nice bloke. He was carrying a box of Eno's Oblique Strategies, so he let us choose one to decide what to do next.
Ron Sexsmith
Just after the "Other Songs" album came out, I had a nice chat with Word favourite Ron Sexsmith at the Stockholm Water Festival. Sweet guy. A little shy, but clearly a very nice bloke. Part of our conversation went something like this:
Me: What do you think of Stockholm, Ron?
RS: It's great! And the hotels are so CLEAN!
Now you can't say fairer than that, can you?
The Ron Appreciation Society
I went to Birmingham to see Ron.
After the show I felt I had to talk to him and he thanked me for coming to the show before I had the opportunity to thank him for what was a really nice evening.
The hotels ARE very clean in Stockholm.
Here's how ace Ron is...
I was visiting Dublin in 2006 and walked by Tower Records and saw Ron was doing an in-store in an hour's time. I went for a coffee and wrote him a small note to tell him that I was a big fan and I would be at his gig on London the following week and could he play my wife's (then fiancée) fave Ronsong.
Went to the in-store, Ron was great and I gave him the note before leaving the shop. Cut to...
London, a few days later and the two of us are at the Bloomsbury to see Ron. I hadn't told the other half aboutthe request. A few songs in, Ron is doing some audience patter:
RS: "So I was in Dublin the other day"
MrsDrJ: "Wooo! Dublin!"
RS: "...and this very kind man came up to me with a request for a song to sing tonight but I've forgotten what it was and I lost your piece of paper. If you're here could you call out what it was..."
Me (shouting from the back): "Up the Road"
RS: "OK, we'll play that in a few minutes"
And he did. What a guy.
This discussion reminded me of a theme ...
... on Chewin' The Fat. There are better examples, but here's the best I could find on YouTube:
Ian McNabb
Is another diamond - I have met him several times and he has always been fantastic.
Johnny Marr too - I met him after a Cribs gig, thanked him for all the great songs. He said it was a privelege, which I thought was nice.
Did he follow that up with
'I meant, it was a privilege for you'?
Glenn Tilbrook...
I got very drunk with him at the bar in the 12 Bar Club after a Nick Harper show. We talked mainly about Led Zeppelin and how utterly rawktastic they were. He was a lovely chap... funny, entertaining and not at all "starry".
Seconded!
I saw him in Beverley several years ago. He was late due to the weather, he walked straight into the hall (only a small venue), climbed onto the stage and started playing. He then offered to play through the interval but as the audience wouldn't be able to have a drink if he did this he suggested busking outside the nearby pub. Top man.
He's also the only artist I've known say "I need a piss, excuse me" then walk off stage. Upon his return he exclaimed "That's better" and carried on playing.
His dvd "One for The Road" is excellent.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/glen-tilbrook-DVD-Music/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=Glen%...