I really love what you are doing here. It sure strikes a chord. I just stumble across you after I posted my first post in 6 months. To read your post right after gave me hope. Thank you so much.
Interesting read. I was a teenager in the 80s, so I often feel that decade defines me-especially my tastes in music; but my experiences in the 90s were what helped me navigate the maelstrom of seemingly disparate elements of my identity and to circle closer to the core of my being.
Of course, we like to lump decades into their own units, but there were other experiences-major surgery, loves and losses, my work, births and deaths, friendships and the losses thereof, etc. that spilled over into the new millennium and brought me ever closer to myself.
Thanks for sparking thoughts on my own comings of ages!
October 19, 1982. Madison Square Garden, NYC was my first concert ever! I was 13! The Go-Go’s! First time I saw you perform! I’m in my 50’s and still love your music, style, artistic expression and your writing! Oh! Your sense of humor is so witty and hilarious. Guess what, I quit smoking after 35 years! My writing is fledgling but getting there. My thesis title was approved for my Masters in Spain and recovering well from a hernia operation. Happy anniversary on MSG and embracing a newness in life with such vigor, acceptance and wonderment.
As always a great piece of writing. The 90s were my 30s as well, and it also all changed for me -- completely different trajectory and circumstances, but it all rings true (I had a '63 Mercury Comet. I would much rather of had a Riviera 🙂).
Congrats on the increased visibility for the book, touring with Glen Matlock, and everything to come!
You are still too cool for school!
ps: I'm happy to re-up (last week), and look forward for more.
This latest post is exactly why I'm hoping for a sequel to your book. I think the 90s/2000s era are going to be fascinating (and not because of the Go-Go's reunions). The sobriety journey itself I am looking forward to the most.
I'm so happy and excited for Cruel World! After all of these years I'll finally get to see you guys live! A long weekend from Hawaii sounds so decadent, but I'm doing it! Yay!!! PS - I'm thrilled with the lineup!
The 90's were the best for me (about the same age as you)--at 29 I made a decision to drop almost everything, including my ideas that weren't working, and go back to college, which had been my plan when I was a child and before the family dynamic pushed that idea aside.
Best decision I ever made. Found out I could do the work and meet the challenges. Led to a new wife, family, and career of 30 years. 'Young, healthy and strong' too. Yeah--the 30s were a great age. Congrats to you!
I relate to your 90s connection. You’re just a couple years older than me, but I feel the same way about the 90s. Yours, of course, were much more exciting. The places you’ve gone, people you’ve met, things you’ve seen…..I’d love to have experienced. But my life was small and calm and I’m pretty happy with it. The wrinkles and shit though? Ugh! Aches, pains, wrinkles, etc….they suck! But I embrace them and accept them as “me”. The worst is the memories. I’m losing them. How do you keep yours? Keep writing, Kathy and I’ll keep reading. You are truly inspiring!
I love my 'small and calm' times too Nick! And I don't know how I keep memories, but grateful I do. I think of my memory like a filing cabinet, not everything fits in there, but what I've kept still accessible!
i am a huge reader of rock biography/autobiography. my husband bought your memoir for me, signed, guitar picks, CDs, the works. i loved it. you write beautifully, magically, inspirationally. i do hope you keep writing and maybe even pursue a new memoir project!
as someone who lives with a chronic condition (primary immunodeficiency, as fun as it sounds), i jokingly call it being "chronically awesome". but seriously, people who know me ask me how it is possible to stick myself in five places every two weeks for the rest of my life to get lifesaving biologics in me. they also asked how i managed to survive massive prednisone (the choice: get better and fat, die thin). and i always say to them: beats the alternative.
I'm glad that you are receiving the recognition you deserve for your solo endeavors (musically and as a writer) as well as the ability to perform the occasional gig with the Go-Go's.
I agree with you regarding the 2 best things ever said about aging. 😁
I absolutely believe that divine intervention can place us in situations and in the lives of others which can impact us in important ways. When I thought about where I was going to live as an adult and how I might meet my future husband, it never occurred to me that it would be in another state. Yet, here I am, 40 years later. And I'm about to enter another chapter of my life. Retirement in January. But I have a feeling I'll be busier than ever.
I really love what you are doing here. It sure strikes a chord. I just stumble across you after I posted my first post in 6 months. To read your post right after gave me hope. Thank you so much.
Kathy. I am so enjoying your writing on a new platform (I just discovered Substack). Thank you
Interesting read. I was a teenager in the 80s, so I often feel that decade defines me-especially my tastes in music; but my experiences in the 90s were what helped me navigate the maelstrom of seemingly disparate elements of my identity and to circle closer to the core of my being.
Of course, we like to lump decades into their own units, but there were other experiences-major surgery, loves and losses, my work, births and deaths, friendships and the losses thereof, etc. that spilled over into the new millennium and brought me ever closer to myself.
Thanks for sparking thoughts on my own comings of ages!
October 19, 1982. Madison Square Garden, NYC was my first concert ever! I was 13! The Go-Go’s! First time I saw you perform! I’m in my 50’s and still love your music, style, artistic expression and your writing! Oh! Your sense of humor is so witty and hilarious. Guess what, I quit smoking after 35 years! My writing is fledgling but getting there. My thesis title was approved for my Masters in Spain and recovering well from a hernia operation. Happy anniversary on MSG and embracing a newness in life with such vigor, acceptance and wonderment.
XX
aww I love hearing this Günther!! heal well and write!!
As long as we learn as we age, then we age well.
As always a great piece of writing. The 90s were my 30s as well, and it also all changed for me -- completely different trajectory and circumstances, but it all rings true (I had a '63 Mercury Comet. I would much rather of had a Riviera 🙂).
Congrats on the increased visibility for the book, touring with Glen Matlock, and everything to come!
You are still too cool for school!
ps: I'm happy to re-up (last week), and look forward for more.
thanks Rick, and I always thought a Comet would make a great little custom car
This latest post is exactly why I'm hoping for a sequel to your book. I think the 90s/2000s era are going to be fascinating (and not because of the Go-Go's reunions). The sobriety journey itself I am looking forward to the most.
I'm so happy and excited for Cruel World! After all of these years I'll finally get to see you guys live! A long weekend from Hawaii sounds so decadent, but I'm doing it! Yay!!! PS - I'm thrilled with the lineup!
The 90's were the best for me (about the same age as you)--at 29 I made a decision to drop almost everything, including my ideas that weren't working, and go back to college, which had been my plan when I was a child and before the family dynamic pushed that idea aside.
Best decision I ever made. Found out I could do the work and meet the challenges. Led to a new wife, family, and career of 30 years. 'Young, healthy and strong' too. Yeah--the 30s were a great age. Congrats to you!
love this!!
Very cool happy to see the band will play again ! Love your writing I always learn something.
I feel the same about the 90s - I turned 40 at the end of the decade. Shook off a lot of stuff and started to grow up.
you've written about quite a bit of music from that decade too!
I relate to your 90s connection. You’re just a couple years older than me, but I feel the same way about the 90s. Yours, of course, were much more exciting. The places you’ve gone, people you’ve met, things you’ve seen…..I’d love to have experienced. But my life was small and calm and I’m pretty happy with it. The wrinkles and shit though? Ugh! Aches, pains, wrinkles, etc….they suck! But I embrace them and accept them as “me”. The worst is the memories. I’m losing them. How do you keep yours? Keep writing, Kathy and I’ll keep reading. You are truly inspiring!
I love my 'small and calm' times too Nick! And I don't know how I keep memories, but grateful I do. I think of my memory like a filing cabinet, not everything fits in there, but what I've kept still accessible!
i am a huge reader of rock biography/autobiography. my husband bought your memoir for me, signed, guitar picks, CDs, the works. i loved it. you write beautifully, magically, inspirationally. i do hope you keep writing and maybe even pursue a new memoir project!
as someone who lives with a chronic condition (primary immunodeficiency, as fun as it sounds), i jokingly call it being "chronically awesome". but seriously, people who know me ask me how it is possible to stick myself in five places every two weeks for the rest of my life to get lifesaving biologics in me. they also asked how i managed to survive massive prednisone (the choice: get better and fat, die thin). and i always say to them: beats the alternative.
it truly does.
please keep writing! xx
thanks Sher. It's really a win to have found treatment for your condition, I hope you continue to get wellness however it comes
I'm glad that you are receiving the recognition you deserve for your solo endeavors (musically and as a writer) as well as the ability to perform the occasional gig with the Go-Go's.
I agree with you regarding the 2 best things ever said about aging. 😁
I absolutely believe that divine intervention can place us in situations and in the lives of others which can impact us in important ways. When I thought about where I was going to live as an adult and how I might meet my future husband, it never occurred to me that it would be in another state. Yet, here I am, 40 years later. And I'm about to enter another chapter of my life. Retirement in January. But I have a feeling I'll be busier than ever.
Kathy, I just want to say that this was beautifully written and incredibly moving. Thank you so much for writing it.
thanks John!
YES! I gotta get your book. 🤓