I have always believed society swings from being disproportionately influenced by media to media being disproportionately influenced by society … so one of the things I’ve been religiously doing since way before televisions were even invented [ahem] is expose myself to as much ‘communication’ as possible.
Films … television … internet … magazines … newspapers … games … books … you name it, I consume, consume, consumer … however there’s not much point in doing this if all you do is experience the popular [though that is obviously highly important] so there are a couple of things I always try to do …
1 Read a totally new magazine title each month [You’d be surprised how many things are in there that can spark your brain]
2 Continually read counterpoints to the same issue. [Be it opposing newspapers to opposing documentaries – it’s amazing how quickly you can get a basic understanding of the big [and small] issues causing the central conflict]
Of course there’s loads of other stuff [the cynic boys ‘Eat Your Words’ and ‘Freaks Of Nature’ get-togethers are especially brilliant] however the point to all this is that more often than not, I come across a real hidden gem … not just interms of information or insight or viewpoints or ideas, but interms of being introduced to a person/group that deeply affects me for totally wonderful and beautiful reasons.
Anyway, last night one of those occasions happened and it was all because I watched a documentary on this mob …
Let me start by saying I never liked the New York Dolls.
As much as I am a lover of rock music, they were just too much of a shambles for me … and the only reason I ended up buying the doco of their reunion gig was because I found it fascinating their bassist, Arthur “Killer” Kane. had become a Mormon. I won’t go into the details of the film, but I do urge everyone to find a copy and watch it.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t like the music [I still think they’re chaotic] … it doesn’t matter if you don’t know who they are/were … I am pretty sure you’ll be left with a feeling of real joy and warmth despite following the downward spiral of an individual who got too much, way too young.
For a story with an inevitable end, everyone comes out of it positively …
The delightful old ladies who work with Arthur at the Library and look like they’ve just come out of a David Lynch movie … the Mormon Church [who I have new found respect for – or at least for the individuals of the Mormon Church who helped Arthur, despite it potentially going against many of their beliefs] … The New York Dolls … Morrissey [who was behind their reunion gig] … [Sir] Bob Geldoff … Chrissie Hynde and of course the ever delightful, gentle, vulnerable, sensitive ‘Arthur’.
This is not a story about rock music, it’s a story about hope, love, compassion, friendship and humanity and I hope you are all as touched by it as I was.
[If you do see it, watch out for the little glint of unbridled happiness in Arthur’s eyes when the Dolls lead singer, David Johansen, walks in on the rehearsal for the first time and their eyes connect after years of believing there was nothing there but anger. It is a wonderful demonstration of how we all need to feel love, respect and connection. I could go on, but I don’t want to sound like Gwyneth Paltrow … watch it, it’ll remind you we’re all like when you strip away the delusion and illusion]