MAGIC BUS PART 2
I think all of you need to know some truths about me. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I should be dead. At least ten times over. The very fact that I am alive was a mystery to me.
I have spent many hours contemplating why I am still alive in this beat up body. I have 18 medical maladies. So what? I keep on pushing through the pains of it all because I have figured out why I am still breathing. I am here with you now purely to be of service to my fellow man. And have some joy and serenity in the process. Some…
That is all of it in a nutshell. All of it.
Sound too altruistic to be the truth? Absolutely not! I haven’t even begun to tell you of the war stories and the ugly side of fame and stardom.
Should I? Will I? You want to read about it? Sure you do. Wouldn’t be prudent if you did not. Only if in the telling I can drive home a point to help all of you avoid the things I have done, and help you to realize your own potentials in life.
If I were to drop dead today, I would have zero regrets. My life has finally struck a balance. It only took 61 years to get here. My bags are packed. I am ready to hit the golden highway if the universe so decides. It won’t be my decision anyway.
I am smoking again, and my doctors all tell me I must quit immediately. I did quit for one and a half years, but picked up because I am still battling this ugly addiction. This is the last demon I must slay. I will slay it.
So please do what I say and not what I have done and continue to do. Damn, I sound like my Dad. Kimmer tells me to lighten it up and I will do that on the next post. But I gotta get this off my chest.
So, now that you know some of the weaker things about me, let me tell you that bus tour was a blessing and a curse.
While on that 3-4 month tour having a great time for me was getting on stage and playing that glorious MC5 music SOBER!
Meeting the people of all those historical and wonderful places was my lifeline. We did this through 2004—2008. No shows in 2009.
The remaining members of the band and I still harbor resentment and attitude towards each other. My God, how could we not? I say we overlooked those resentments and super trooped through the middle of it all.
It is a love/not so loving kind of thing. A lot of relationships are this way. Especially we three…
I have been working extremely hard to forgive and forget. I sometimes stumble and say and do inappropriate things. I am stubborn. I am mean at times. I have kicked some ass in my day. But I am also a softie inside. I love people. All people…
The bus brings out the best and worst in all folk who ride it. It is a microcosm of life compressed into maybe 800 square feet on wheels. DKT/MC5 is dead. Wayne, Michael, and I killed it quietly.
You might as well hear it from me first. We had our run and all good things too shall pass. I loved that band. I still do. Would I play in it again though, now?
I seriously doubt it…
I want to write my books, lecture, interview my peers, do a gig or two, throw a massive
show in 2010 in Detroit, the likes of which have never been attempted.
I can and will do this even if it kills me. One last ride of the Golden Horde so to speak. If I survive this, maybe I will do it again. I do not foresee the future. I am an existential relativist with a Catholic upbringing. I know my limitations.
I only wish all people on earth could find their passion, their true calling, and I will leave this rock trying my very best to help them to that end, whenever and wherever I can.
People are starving, losing jobs, homes, and dying. Nothing new really… But those of us more fortunate should help them shouldn’t we? Your government can’t do it.
You must do it… God Bless All of You,
MGT
10 comments:
I arrived to late to make the photo that appeared on one of your album covers.
You were a decent snooker player and you took some of my money.
Had an offer to be a roadie when the band went to England. A guy named Cooksie went and was never the same.
It was a real treat to have seen you at the Grande and Gooselake.
Really enjoying your blogs.
I meant to tell ya a while back..I made it 7 years clean and sober in June !..Thought you might get a kick out of that.
You're a fucking inspiration. Keep it up my man.
Dave.
My husband and I have been smoke-free for three years. I smoked for about 20 years, and he smoked for 30. Getting a diagnosis of the beginnings of emphysema at the ripe old age of 45 was my wakeup call, and I couldn't be happier that we were able to quit. (Although I'd be lying if I said that there weren't times that I still miss it...just the occasional pang, but it passes quickly.)
If you want to know our plan, or need moral support for quitting, please don't hesitate to email me at Luvrte66@aol.com. If you kicked other habits, you can definitely kick this one!
All my best,
Beth
Feel free to post this or keep it to yourself...just free info.
My cousin was a cardiac nurse who smoked for over 40 years.
She quit using a fairly new drug named Chantix and mentioned it to me (on an off smoker for 30+ years)and my wife (smoker almost 50 years).
We persuaded our then-HMO to prescribe it to us and it made a big difference in the level of tension we had during the phase-out.
It works on one of those chemical key-receptor site relationships.
Chantix ties up the receptor sites that nicotine would fit into, so all you get from smoking is the actual taste/flavor/aroma of your Mr. Butts.
Unmediated by any pleasure/relief you would have gotten from the nicotine which now has no platform on which to perform, Mr. Butts taste can become un-acquired.
Serious advice from all 3 of us:
Disregard the Mfr's recommendation on when to set a target quit date.
They say do it before you start.
We say wait until you see how the drug and you get along and maybe then set a date. You can keep taking it until you find you're down to the point of smoking 1 or 2 per day and doing it a couple of drags per session. If you get to the point where it takes 3 or 4 sessions to finish one cigarette, you'll either be able to set a date or you'll be looking for some additional help (hypnosis?).
It isn't a 100% thing, but nothing much is in the medical game, and it's got the highest success rate of anything out there.
Write anytime for more info.
Heather Harris made a comment about your note "MAGIC BUS PART 2":
You glossed over a pretty large truth in your mission statement manifesto. Reunion bands frequently play better/faster/stronger than they did the first time out because oft times it's the first occasion any of them have played together without being wasted.
I'm glad you're writing, appearing on panels, lecutures and sponsoring in the future, like I'm glad you got that chance with DKT/MC5 along with all your other bands in between the past and now. But the MC5 of the fussilade of youth and changing the America of the 60's and 70's belongs to another era now, plus the cast is so diminished.
You couldn't have picked a better calling than helping other musicians with all your cred and character aplomb. I look forward to word on your 2010 music sponsorships.
P.S. I told my significant other that I'm happier with a live teacher than a dead rock star. It's a common tale ion our biz...
You're living proof that it's never too late to turn things around. Thank God you did! Many others are not so lucky, as you already know...
I, too, have battled alcoholism. And I, too, am trying to quit smoking (again). You can knock it right out of the park, sir -- just look at everything else you've done in your life. I know you'll be able to kick cigarettes, as well.
Sorry for not commenting much lately -- been reading, but haven't been long on time. Plan on popping back in more often, though. :)
Just Read your Blog,, there is Iron in your words Brother, Hope you hang around for a while.
That long black clouds comin down...
The times are looking quite stern..
Dennis, Thank you for transmitting your humanity, awareness and courage to us!
xxx,
Sue
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