A Soldier’s reunion
Today I had a hilarious, poignant lunch with James Williamson, Glen Matlock, and writer Will Hogkinson.
James was in town for work; I’d given him Glen’s details when I met him last year, while Will had also tracked James down for his excellent book, Guitar Man.
Glen retains cheerful memories of Soldier - he’s a cheerful guy. James’s countenance darkens slightly when that album is mentioned – for this was the occasion of his final falling out with Iggy, and he certainly left him on a low.
I mentioned to James that I’d received quite a few emails about his role in Open Up And Bleed. James has been vilified over the years, particularly in Legs McNeil’s Please Kill Me, and I wanted to show him as I see him, as much sinned-against as sinning. It felt strange handing over a book to him, eventually, I guess, to hear his verdict.
When I was interviewing Iggy’s fellow musicians for the book, I noticed that usually their eyes would light up when discussing that era – that magical, Stooges time. That doesn’t happen with James. At one point I said to him, “James, you made a difference! Music today would sound different were it not for you!” (and that’s not a remark I have ever made before to a rock musician). A few moments later he responded, “the truly great people change music more than once.” The man has high standards. But I do admire the way he’s started a new life, rather than endlessly reliving the old days.
James did mention at one point that he’d be happy to turn up if the Stooges ever made the Rock And Roll Hall OF Fame - for which the band have the dubious distinction of being rejected six times. Which is pretty generous of him, considering the last time he met Iggy. It was at a Stooges’ show in Long Island - James and Iggy’s LA girlfriends Evita and Coral nearly turned up but didn’t quite make it. Instead, James went with Scott Thurston, but the two of them, according to those who were there, were cold-shouldered by their ex-singer. Ron, James’s one-time enemy, was the only one who greeted them warmly. Apart from Robert Matheu, the man who photographed so many shows on their doomed last tour, that is.
For as James and Scotty entered, it was Matheu who broke the silence by quipping, “look out guys, it’s the Metallic KO Stooges. Did anyone bring a bottle?”
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
