For someone, who didn't personally know Clem, he has occupied my head space a fair amount of time, since the day I heard. For you, it must be 100% more, so terribly sad. I have found succur in your posts,as I'm sure many have done. It is very generous of you to post of your last times with him. I hope your life will be good in England, perhaps steadying. Holding you in my thoughts, Clem too. Yours aye, from Scotland.
I'm really looking forward to Cruel World and seeing you all again, you always put on a great show. I can only imagine how hard these big outdoor shows are to get "right" but for the audience, just hearing the songs again, with a huge crowd that is into the songs, we're very happy!
Last night was more than great, it was fantastic! I thought you guys played the songs with some extra punk attitude and it sounded amazing!!!! As we were all walking back towards New Order's set, you just heard everyone gushing about you guys & how great you sounded, everyone was just buzzing & reliving the set.
Thank you for taking me back to my pre-teen & teen years where I listened to your albums on repeat. Always gives me chills to hear "This Town" live, LA is your Town and you always prove it!!!!
Another thought provoking read full of your love for the people and world around you, Kathy. Life certainly presents you with a rich pageant when one has a mind to see it. Your openness and willingness to experience life in the raw is certainly something to work towards.
Sound techs, huh? Right. Nice when you find the good ones.
For me the memory of my joy at rising above the clouds are what I recall most of my air travels. I think I've become seriously sunshine deprived during my time in the UK.
I hope you find somewhere agreeable to eventually settle, if finding a home is what you aspire to.
Kathy I’m so sorry about Clem. Too many losses for everyone I know and it sucks. One of just a few things I hate about aging… losing more family and friends. Certainly part of the bargain, but not easy to accept.
Happy to know you’ll be in a new place in England + that we can follow along with your adventure…
And thank you for…."the circles are center pivoting irrigation fields”… WHAT?? I really thought you were going to tell us you had taken up painting. They’re gorgeous.
Again I say how sorry I am about Clem. I do know what your going thru with him! Since the beginning of COVID, I've lost 39 sisters and bros! Most of them I've known since kindergarten! Not ONE past from COVID! None from drugs! Heart attacks, diabetic comas, CANCER! I'm from the same type growing up in this biz. Some of us lived hard! I'm 63 in a few months. I'm surprised I've survived this whole trip! I'm still working. Body is fucking me up. 44yrs talked it's toll!
THIS GETTING OLD SHIT IS FOR THE BIRDS!
BUT A BRIGHTNESS HAS COME OVER ME! My younger son Kyle and my beautiful daughter-in-law Megan surprised me with beautiful gift! Pops it's gonna have his second grandbaby in Jan!
I'M SOOOOOOO FUCKING HAPPY! They all the shit going on in this world, this IS A BRIGHTNESS! Good bad or ugly, I wish I was able to see you kids! Oh well... Another big one I missed! I was at the US Festival in 83. BLAST! Woodstock 94, GREAT TIME! I got to meet SRV and Steve Winwood! 2 of the highlights of my life! Meet Ronnie Spector on the boardwalk in Asbury Park! Someday I hope to retire to the mountains of Tenn. Atop South Pittsburg MTN. And be close to my son's family. 🥹
Gotta sleep work in the morn...
Good luck on the right house! Good luck with the Kats you're playin' with!
Happy gigging KV.
LOVE reading about the life and adventures of an amazing ROCK N ROLL CHICK! 🌹💋💜
As always, I come away with more knowledge after reading one of your posts. My Yorkshire Terrier and I generally occupy the window seat so we can sequester ourselves and once the Doggie CBD treats kick in, I check out the view, if there is one. Now I know the circles, which look like cool album covers aren’t the work of aliens.
Recently, I watch an SNL rerun with musical guest Ariana Grande, who does have a beautiful voice. However, the props were a distraction and the performance was underwhelming. Turned to the Go-Go’s first Coachella performance, and despite the issues you described, felt the joy in the music and got the tell tale goosebumps on my cheeks. I think those kind of festivals are more about just being able dance and enjoy the atmosphere.
I wish I had some great words to write to you about the loss of Clem, but I don’t, and I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about enough. Thank you for sharing that wonderful and rare bond between you two with us.
That concert in Central Park 2001 was possibly your best live performance ever! It must be hard to get back to that level with limited practice! Good luck with your new home!
KV I find your writing to be so honest and vulnerable. Perhaps that is why I feel somehow (oddly) like a "friend" or acquaintance of yours.
I must have missed the reasons your moving, but guessing it's about shifting the energy from loss into growth and healing. I wish you healing and happiness in your next adventure.
Cruel World will be like a reunion I'm sure. It always feels wonderful to be among a community of likeminded people all loving the music and sharing in its joy. Never known CW to be anything other than joyful! People get along with one another, laugh with one another and dance!! Lots of pogo and moshing lol.
I will be as close to front and center as I can get at the Go-go's set, hoping I can get the opportunity to have you sign your book. :-)
THanks Cody, I appreciate you saying that. I'm moving because St Albans was more a stop-gap, settling into a new country temporary place. It's time to live in London. On another note, I hate for you to be carting a book around at a festival--I don't think this is the place to hope to get it signed. Maybe hang on to it, I'm sure there will be other chances.
I enjoy all of your writing but have taken a particular interest over the months since you began alluding to the impending loss of your friend— though I didn’t know his identity at the time of the full extent of your relationship.
Your devotion and love rang through clearly. I too was holding my breath as a lover and friend of 50 years fought cancer with grace and courage. She was my everything, and like Clem, was a life force. She passed away just several days after your friend and love.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your heart with your readers, and your effort to find meaning and peace and even joy amidst the loss.
I’m trying to do the same. You make a good example.
Good luck with your moving (again!). I hope these moves help ease your restless spirit.
I completely enjoyed your descriptions of the views experienced by you while flying. Funny you should imply (in part and in jest) alien landing fields in New Mexico--the home of Roswell. Done on purpose?
The most unique visual experience I had while flying occurred twenty-six years ago. It was a midnight flight over Dubai. Peeking out I saw a long lines of lighted ships either entering or departing the port. Judging from their size and shape, they were all oil tankers. Well, duh! I am flying over the Persian gulf, so what should I expect. It struck me that I am passing over the world's fossil fuel lifeline! The sight filled me with awe...while keeping in mind why we all must become less dependent on oil for fuel.
Thanks for relating how you can rid yourself of negative vibes. There is always so much for which to be thankful.
I hope your constant flying across the Atlantic does not seriously affect your sleeping habits and energy levels. After all, I will be at your San Francisco concert.
Hi Bradford. While I don't have any plans to fly over or near Dubai, I will have to make a point of sitting by a window if I do. As far as moving, it's more that I took a temporary sublet that was limited in how long I could be here. A stop gap while transitioning to a new country. Hope you enjoy the SF show!
I love your thoughts. I always feel like I'm snuggled under a blanket in a big, soft chair near a fire, nodding my head, happy to listen to you share your interesting thoughts.
Window seats on planes: Yes, the New Mexico desert always gets me wondering... what are those bizarre structures down there, surrounded by sparse land? I no longer think we're the only intelligent two-legged beings with opposable thumbs in this vast universe. It sounds strange to find the idea of other galactic beings inconceivable.
Like you, I notice when words and ideas appear as themes in my life, and even note them. Last week it was Hercules. While in the middle seat of a plane, I had a book on my lap. In the title, Hercules. The lady seated near the window noticed it and told me, "That's my son's middle name." After landing, a neighbor lost a cat. His name? Yep. Hercules.
A smattering of connectivity in a week of interesting synchronicities. They usually come in threes for me.
Your curiosity makes me want to hear more of your observations. I sat here nodding and thinking, "Curiosity--not filled lips and pulled-back skin--is what I find youthful."
Sorry about the loss of your dear friend, Clem. Keep thinking and talking to him. I believe his energy is with you. It hurts that we can't hug and laugh with our departed loved ones as we once did. But I do believe their energy is with us.
I really enjoyed this article. Loved the different topics you touched upon. Part of me felt sad. Sad you didn't love your last three GoGo performances and sad that you are moving again. So much stress and hard work goes in to moving, and you're moving to a house you don't love. I so hope the move after that will be a true success and you will love your new home with all your might, never to leave again. Hope your next shows will also be a true success in your professional eyes. I watched both Coachellas from the East, live streamed. I LOVED #2 with all my unprofessional might. Really fun to watch.👍😊🎤🎸🥁🎹🔥💯❤️❤️❤️ Thank you, Kathy.
Glad you enjoyed the read! I was always going to have to move from here, it was a temporary sublet while I acclimated and put down roots in a new country. And I think the new place will be great once I make it mine. So glad you enjoyed the show. And I hope I I didn't paint too terrible a picture of my time onstage, I was more trying to convey the reality of what it's like to be a musician in a band. I was far from miserable, believe me! The musicians I know related entirely
KV...I've been writing to you quite a bit concerned about your situation, and in my own clumsy way, trying to be of assistance to you. I'm glad to see that you're landing on your feet and moving forward. It's good that you have friends around you and are not alone.
There will be.
ups and downs, but you're strong, and will get through it. This is what we're supposed to do.
As the poet said upon his death bed.. .
"I don't understand any of it, I never did"..
Good luck moving forward, and I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in Vegas....
Kathy - I love reading your Substack and your thoughts on life. You are a beautiful and thought-provoking person. Reading this edition of your Substack, made me somewhat sad as it's obvious that you are going through a very hard time right now and finding any joy or fun in life is difficult. I remember in your writings of last year you commented that you longed for wanting to perform at an outdoor concert again in front of a huge crowd and, voila, it happened. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you got what you needed from the experience and there were no comments of you having tons of fun just being with your bandmates again and doing what you love. Grieve is devastating so just for you to get up on that stage and perform is extremely professional. I love the GoGo's and am so looking forward to seeing you guys (for the very first time) in Las Vegas. Here's hoping you get that "high"!!!
Hi Sue, I think the problem with writing, or giving public talks is that it's only a prism of a very full whole existence, and people tend to also focus on even smaller aspects or interpret and read between the lines in ways that may not reflect the whole picture as well. Yes, I have lost someone I love very much. No, I am not having trouble finding joy or fun. I am extremely grateful to play these shows and have had a blast in many ways. Playing a concert is full of elements. It's not just how it sounds onstage, although that matters to me, and I thought readers might be interested to know that aspect.
It's also a smile and look exchanged between members. It's executing your parts perfectly, a whole show without flaws. It's looking out and seeing a huge crowd enjoying your music. It's seeing a little girl looking enthralled. It's noticing a friendly face, it's the satisfaction of doing a good job.
The experience is not black and white, one way or the other. My "information" paragraphs about the sound quality onstage obviously was only one aspect of playing live and I didn't realize some people would take it as a blanket summation of my entire experience.
I will either have to be more careful about what I write in the future, but unfortunately there's no way I can predict what impression a reader will take! THank you for being here and commenting. I hope you feel better with this reply.
So....you're saying that another Band has helped you. Not just the Go-Gos, and others you play with, but a Rubber Band on the wrist! (Wait, was that a weak comparison? Or should I not second-guess it? "thwack" !!)
I really appreciate the insights into the workings of your live performances; having landed in the realm of gigging relatively recently since moving back short-term to England, I deeply value the sharing of these experiences moving forward with my pursuits as an aspiring working musician. I've yet to play at events anywhere near the scale of major festivals, but the rewarding experience of playing great sounding, energised sets is something that truly resonates with me—the elevation of confidence, the comical exchanges of "stank faces" and taking the music to unexpected, new and exciting places makes me feel most alive.
Thank you for sharing with us and I sincerely wish you all the best with the move to your new home. I feel that shared, positive experiences always brings out the best in us in our navigation through rough waters and I hope that you find many moments of togetherness such as these in your new environment. Much love, DW
For someone, who didn't personally know Clem, he has occupied my head space a fair amount of time, since the day I heard. For you, it must be 100% more, so terribly sad. I have found succur in your posts,as I'm sure many have done. It is very generous of you to post of your last times with him. I hope your life will be good in England, perhaps steadying. Holding you in my thoughts, Clem too. Yours aye, from Scotland.
I'm really looking forward to Cruel World and seeing you all again, you always put on a great show. I can only imagine how hard these big outdoor shows are to get "right" but for the audience, just hearing the songs again, with a huge crowd that is into the songs, we're very happy!
it will be great!
Last night was more than great, it was fantastic! I thought you guys played the songs with some extra punk attitude and it sounded amazing!!!! As we were all walking back towards New Order's set, you just heard everyone gushing about you guys & how great you sounded, everyone was just buzzing & reliving the set.
Thank you for taking me back to my pre-teen & teen years where I listened to your albums on repeat. Always gives me chills to hear "This Town" live, LA is your Town and you always prove it!!!!
Another thought provoking read full of your love for the people and world around you, Kathy. Life certainly presents you with a rich pageant when one has a mind to see it. Your openness and willingness to experience life in the raw is certainly something to work towards.
Sound techs, huh? Right. Nice when you find the good ones.
For me the memory of my joy at rising above the clouds are what I recall most of my air travels. I think I've become seriously sunshine deprived during my time in the UK.
I hope you find somewhere agreeable to eventually settle, if finding a home is what you aspire to.
Kathy I’m so sorry about Clem. Too many losses for everyone I know and it sucks. One of just a few things I hate about aging… losing more family and friends. Certainly part of the bargain, but not easy to accept.
Happy to know you’ll be in a new place in England + that we can follow along with your adventure…
And thank you for…."the circles are center pivoting irrigation fields”… WHAT?? I really thought you were going to tell us you had taken up painting. They’re gorgeous.
Stay well!
Again I say how sorry I am about Clem. I do know what your going thru with him! Since the beginning of COVID, I've lost 39 sisters and bros! Most of them I've known since kindergarten! Not ONE past from COVID! None from drugs! Heart attacks, diabetic comas, CANCER! I'm from the same type growing up in this biz. Some of us lived hard! I'm 63 in a few months. I'm surprised I've survived this whole trip! I'm still working. Body is fucking me up. 44yrs talked it's toll!
THIS GETTING OLD SHIT IS FOR THE BIRDS!
BUT A BRIGHTNESS HAS COME OVER ME! My younger son Kyle and my beautiful daughter-in-law Megan surprised me with beautiful gift! Pops it's gonna have his second grandbaby in Jan!
I'M SOOOOOOO FUCKING HAPPY! They all the shit going on in this world, this IS A BRIGHTNESS! Good bad or ugly, I wish I was able to see you kids! Oh well... Another big one I missed! I was at the US Festival in 83. BLAST! Woodstock 94, GREAT TIME! I got to meet SRV and Steve Winwood! 2 of the highlights of my life! Meet Ronnie Spector on the boardwalk in Asbury Park! Someday I hope to retire to the mountains of Tenn. Atop South Pittsburg MTN. And be close to my son's family. 🥹
Gotta sleep work in the morn...
Good luck on the right house! Good luck with the Kats you're playin' with!
Happy gigging KV.
LOVE reading about the life and adventures of an amazing ROCK N ROLL CHICK! 🌹💋💜
LOVE,
EC 😎🤙🏼
Congrats Eric, on the good news. And wow, that is a lot of losses.
As always, I come away with more knowledge after reading one of your posts. My Yorkshire Terrier and I generally occupy the window seat so we can sequester ourselves and once the Doggie CBD treats kick in, I check out the view, if there is one. Now I know the circles, which look like cool album covers aren’t the work of aliens.
Recently, I watch an SNL rerun with musical guest Ariana Grande, who does have a beautiful voice. However, the props were a distraction and the performance was underwhelming. Turned to the Go-Go’s first Coachella performance, and despite the issues you described, felt the joy in the music and got the tell tale goosebumps on my cheeks. I think those kind of festivals are more about just being able dance and enjoy the atmosphere.
I wish I had some great words to write to you about the loss of Clem, but I don’t, and I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about enough. Thank you for sharing that wonderful and rare bond between you two with us.
thank you Laura!
That concert in Central Park 2001 was possibly your best live performance ever! It must be hard to get back to that level with limited practice! Good luck with your new home!
We have plenty of practice time before playing. And we have been doing these songs for decades, so it's not that hard....
KV I find your writing to be so honest and vulnerable. Perhaps that is why I feel somehow (oddly) like a "friend" or acquaintance of yours.
I must have missed the reasons your moving, but guessing it's about shifting the energy from loss into growth and healing. I wish you healing and happiness in your next adventure.
Cruel World will be like a reunion I'm sure. It always feels wonderful to be among a community of likeminded people all loving the music and sharing in its joy. Never known CW to be anything other than joyful! People get along with one another, laugh with one another and dance!! Lots of pogo and moshing lol.
I will be as close to front and center as I can get at the Go-go's set, hoping I can get the opportunity to have you sign your book. :-)
Can not wait!!!!
THanks Cody, I appreciate you saying that. I'm moving because St Albans was more a stop-gap, settling into a new country temporary place. It's time to live in London. On another note, I hate for you to be carting a book around at a festival--I don't think this is the place to hope to get it signed. Maybe hang on to it, I'm sure there will be other chances.
Had a blast at CW!! The show was so MUCH FUN! As authentic and raw as always!!
Hi Kathy -
I enjoy all of your writing but have taken a particular interest over the months since you began alluding to the impending loss of your friend— though I didn’t know his identity at the time of the full extent of your relationship.
Your devotion and love rang through clearly. I too was holding my breath as a lover and friend of 50 years fought cancer with grace and courage. She was my everything, and like Clem, was a life force. She passed away just several days after your friend and love.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your heart with your readers, and your effort to find meaning and peace and even joy amidst the loss.
I’m trying to do the same. You make a good example.
I am so very sorry about your loss Brad. It seems to be the price of staying alive these days.
Hello Kathy,
Good luck with your moving (again!). I hope these moves help ease your restless spirit.
I completely enjoyed your descriptions of the views experienced by you while flying. Funny you should imply (in part and in jest) alien landing fields in New Mexico--the home of Roswell. Done on purpose?
The most unique visual experience I had while flying occurred twenty-six years ago. It was a midnight flight over Dubai. Peeking out I saw a long lines of lighted ships either entering or departing the port. Judging from their size and shape, they were all oil tankers. Well, duh! I am flying over the Persian gulf, so what should I expect. It struck me that I am passing over the world's fossil fuel lifeline! The sight filled me with awe...while keeping in mind why we all must become less dependent on oil for fuel.
Thanks for relating how you can rid yourself of negative vibes. There is always so much for which to be thankful.
I hope your constant flying across the Atlantic does not seriously affect your sleeping habits and energy levels. After all, I will be at your San Francisco concert.
See you May 13th!
Hi Bradford. While I don't have any plans to fly over or near Dubai, I will have to make a point of sitting by a window if I do. As far as moving, it's more that I took a temporary sublet that was limited in how long I could be here. A stop gap while transitioning to a new country. Hope you enjoy the SF show!
I love your thoughts. I always feel like I'm snuggled under a blanket in a big, soft chair near a fire, nodding my head, happy to listen to you share your interesting thoughts.
Window seats on planes: Yes, the New Mexico desert always gets me wondering... what are those bizarre structures down there, surrounded by sparse land? I no longer think we're the only intelligent two-legged beings with opposable thumbs in this vast universe. It sounds strange to find the idea of other galactic beings inconceivable.
Like you, I notice when words and ideas appear as themes in my life, and even note them. Last week it was Hercules. While in the middle seat of a plane, I had a book on my lap. In the title, Hercules. The lady seated near the window noticed it and told me, "That's my son's middle name." After landing, a neighbor lost a cat. His name? Yep. Hercules.
A smattering of connectivity in a week of interesting synchronicities. They usually come in threes for me.
Your curiosity makes me want to hear more of your observations. I sat here nodding and thinking, "Curiosity--not filled lips and pulled-back skin--is what I find youthful."
Sorry about the loss of your dear friend, Clem. Keep thinking and talking to him. I believe his energy is with you. It hurts that we can't hug and laugh with our departed loved ones as we once did. But I do believe their energy is with us.
Take care.
Thank you so much for this nice message Michele, I enjoyed it. xx
I really enjoyed this article. Loved the different topics you touched upon. Part of me felt sad. Sad you didn't love your last three GoGo performances and sad that you are moving again. So much stress and hard work goes in to moving, and you're moving to a house you don't love. I so hope the move after that will be a true success and you will love your new home with all your might, never to leave again. Hope your next shows will also be a true success in your professional eyes. I watched both Coachellas from the East, live streamed. I LOVED #2 with all my unprofessional might. Really fun to watch.👍😊🎤🎸🥁🎹🔥💯❤️❤️❤️ Thank you, Kathy.
Glad you enjoyed the read! I was always going to have to move from here, it was a temporary sublet while I acclimated and put down roots in a new country. And I think the new place will be great once I make it mine. So glad you enjoyed the show. And I hope I I didn't paint too terrible a picture of my time onstage, I was more trying to convey the reality of what it's like to be a musician in a band. I was far from miserable, believe me! The musicians I know related entirely
KV...I've been writing to you quite a bit concerned about your situation, and in my own clumsy way, trying to be of assistance to you. I'm glad to see that you're landing on your feet and moving forward. It's good that you have friends around you and are not alone.
There will be.
ups and downs, but you're strong, and will get through it. This is what we're supposed to do.
As the poet said upon his death bed.. .
"I don't understand any of it, I never did"..
Good luck moving forward, and I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in Vegas....
Kathy - I love reading your Substack and your thoughts on life. You are a beautiful and thought-provoking person. Reading this edition of your Substack, made me somewhat sad as it's obvious that you are going through a very hard time right now and finding any joy or fun in life is difficult. I remember in your writings of last year you commented that you longed for wanting to perform at an outdoor concert again in front of a huge crowd and, voila, it happened. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you got what you needed from the experience and there were no comments of you having tons of fun just being with your bandmates again and doing what you love. Grieve is devastating so just for you to get up on that stage and perform is extremely professional. I love the GoGo's and am so looking forward to seeing you guys (for the very first time) in Las Vegas. Here's hoping you get that "high"!!!
Hi Sue, I think the problem with writing, or giving public talks is that it's only a prism of a very full whole existence, and people tend to also focus on even smaller aspects or interpret and read between the lines in ways that may not reflect the whole picture as well. Yes, I have lost someone I love very much. No, I am not having trouble finding joy or fun. I am extremely grateful to play these shows and have had a blast in many ways. Playing a concert is full of elements. It's not just how it sounds onstage, although that matters to me, and I thought readers might be interested to know that aspect.
It's also a smile and look exchanged between members. It's executing your parts perfectly, a whole show without flaws. It's looking out and seeing a huge crowd enjoying your music. It's seeing a little girl looking enthralled. It's noticing a friendly face, it's the satisfaction of doing a good job.
The experience is not black and white, one way or the other. My "information" paragraphs about the sound quality onstage obviously was only one aspect of playing live and I didn't realize some people would take it as a blanket summation of my entire experience.
I will either have to be more careful about what I write in the future, but unfortunately there's no way I can predict what impression a reader will take! THank you for being here and commenting. I hope you feel better with this reply.
Thanks so much for your comments and explanation. Glad I misinterpreted. Rock On!!
not just you! i try not to overthink what i write, so these comments are helpful to clarify xx
So....you're saying that another Band has helped you. Not just the Go-Gos, and others you play with, but a Rubber Band on the wrist! (Wait, was that a weak comparison? Or should I not second-guess it? "thwack" !!)
ha!!
Hi, Kathy!
I really appreciate the insights into the workings of your live performances; having landed in the realm of gigging relatively recently since moving back short-term to England, I deeply value the sharing of these experiences moving forward with my pursuits as an aspiring working musician. I've yet to play at events anywhere near the scale of major festivals, but the rewarding experience of playing great sounding, energised sets is something that truly resonates with me—the elevation of confidence, the comical exchanges of "stank faces" and taking the music to unexpected, new and exciting places makes me feel most alive.
Thank you for sharing with us and I sincerely wish you all the best with the move to your new home. I feel that shared, positive experiences always brings out the best in us in our navigation through rough waters and I hope that you find many moments of togetherness such as these in your new environment. Much love, DW
Hi DWK, thank you as always for being so supportive, I am really happy you are embarking on a fulfilling music journey!