| TRAVELS WITH MY AMP BY GREG GODOVITZ |
| I started out writing this review from a totally different perspective, i.e. as an adoring fan and admirer of Truth and, hence, Greg Godovitz. I have always hated people who lie or deceive or who purposely withhold or manipulate facts to their own advantage (probably because I, myself, as a youth, was caught lying and somehow realized then the fundamental evilness inherent within). That being said, I have since discovered that always "telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" can have an equally devastating effect. Ironically enough, when I bought an advance copy of the manuscript of this novel, Greg Godovitz autographed it with the words, "Enjoy all the lies"! This really had me wondering, after having twice read it through, in marathon sessions, and immensely enjoying it (if not purely from a narrative standpoint), how the personality that is both Greg Godovitz as an individual and one-third of his disreputable band, Goddo, still survives to this day. Is it, in reality, a collection of "tall tales" fabricated to amuse and entertain the masses who seem so eager to believe anything that appeals to their own sense of titillation? Or is it the "true confessions" of a self-described "asshole" trying to make amends for his youthful indiscretions while simultaneously exposing his perceived flaws of every person he encounters, including his own bandmates? The question (and answer) seems moot, though, as the show does go on to this day, to the absolute delight of his highly devoted fans and long-time accomplices. The nevertheless endearing musical odyssey charts the rise of a 13-year-old rock and roll rebel to, if not international stardom, at least a level of infamy on a close par with it. Growing up with a music-loving mother who, in fact, worked in the business herself, and a father who seemed, incongruously, to be the serious and practical type, the conflicting parental outlooks on life must have caused a lot of strife, certainly when Greg decided to quit high school to pursue his rock and roll dreams, against the better judgment of his music teachers. While his highest pinnacles of success were obtained while playing in Fludd and Goddo, he also narrates his early musical beginnings with The Pretty Ones (modeled on Britain's The Pretty Things), The Backdoor Blues Band, The Pyggs, The Mushroom Castle, and Sherman and Peabody. [I believe he was also involved in a band called Mornington Drive, although he chose not to mention that one.] His chance meeting with the Pilling Brothers (Brian and Ed) would be a major influence in his life, and Ed would remain to this very day in another of Greg's music projects called "No Flies on Frank". Did I mention he also met his idol, Paul McCartney? The story is written in a very down-to-earth, intimate manner, with liberal doses of sarcastic, self-effacing humour and wit. There were also numerous incidents that I personally (and most other people born in the greaseball era of the '50s) could personally relate to - hair length, outrageous fashions, experimentation with drugs, gratuitous sex and violence, mockery and outright defiance of authority, and lots of other fun stuff! There seemed to be quite a few incidents of "playing with fire" (not to mention the ever-present groupies), as well as some fairly heavy automobile mishaps (one with a moose, which would occur again in more recent months) on the road and off. It's a very educational book, as well, for anyone who has serious aspirations of "making it big" in the world of rock and roll, or any other type of entertainment for that matter, for example, the National Ballet. It's chock-full of lessons on band sex politics, travel and hotel etiquette, as well as the financial aspects of pursuing this type of career. Resplendent with references (not always favourable) to major and minor Canadian musicians and locales, notably Winnipeg, Vancouver and, of course, Toronto, as well as our brutally cold climate, it belongs in the annals of Canadian music history literature for this reason alone. Several American and British musicians are also "targeted". Greg's own description of an early Goddo rehearsal reads as follows: "There was a magic in the air that night that I think will linger around this band." I quite agree with that prophecy, as, being totally unaware of their existence until their 25th anniversary, I can hear and feel that magic in their music today, and their performance has probably vastly improved since those PUI (playing under the influence of) days! Indisputably infamous as Canada's "Pretty Bad Boys", which song originally included a backing chorus by a very young lad named Russell, Greg (and Goddo by default) is summed up best when Greg's mother asks Greg, "Have you no shame?" and Greg replies, "No, none at all". Now I'd like to hear the other guys' side of the story! |
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