Thanks for the title @reubent, I’m definitely going to look for a copy. He was one of the new guys all the young singer/songwriters I knew back then were talking about and listening to. I don’t remember Pete being as Rock ’n’ Roll at Dwight and Tom, but that was a long time ago, and my memory ain’t what it useta be!
I’m still haunted by the suicide of Elliot Smith. Elliot was living in L.A. in the latter-half of the 90’s, and was as well-respected by his peers as anyone I can think of. One Friday night he and I passed as I and my woman were exiting and he was entering a favorite restaurant (the name of which escapes me at the moment) on the border of Toluca Lake and Burbank, right across the side street from the Bob’s Big Boy. The doorway was kind of packed, and as we passed and our eyes met, he gave me the "Hey, man" nod. I returned the nod, but had to keep moving so as to not hold up the restaurant traffic. Not long after he took his life.
Two of the best new artists---Elliot and Kurt Cobain, both plagued with demons. The life forces that foster creative brilliance often bring with that gift a curse. I see it in Lucinda Williams as well; being her is no picnic. Hank Williams’ genius came at a very high price. I’ve personally known only one true genius, a songwriter who decided he didn’t want to pay the price a career in music demands. He died young anyway---only 55. Evan Johns---the most unique musician I ever worked with---lived hard and partied harder, dying almost destitute at age 60. I’m surprised he made it that long.
