I suspect Happy Days isn't paying a whole lot of royalties anymore.
And, yeah... Imagine a bright/better future.
Some time ago, a reporter tracked down "Jane" from the song "Jane Says". She claimed to be off the needle and doing better. Of course, that's what I'd expect someone to say in that position.
Also reminded me of Sly Stone.
On August 18, 2009, The Guardian reported that a forthcoming documentary, “Coming Back for More” by Dutch director Willem Alkema, claims Stone is homeless and living off welfare while staying in cheap hotels and a campervan. The film alleges that Stone’s former manager, Jerry Goldstein, cut off his access to royalty payments following a dispute over a ‘debt agreement’, forcing Stone to depend on welfare payments. On September 25, 2011, Alkema wrote in the New York Post that Stone was homeless and living in a van in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles, although a subsequent report by Roger Friedman of Showbiz411 stated that Stone is not homeless, and lives in the van by choice. Reports have followed that, due to this information becoming public, fans and friends have reached out and helped Sly to get back on his feet. But his legacy remains and his musical history will remain one of the significant contributions to popular music.
Yeah, most of us musicians are mentally ill. We're not known for being good with money - and that includes picking people to manage our money or to be in charge of it in any way.
I've previously joked about a charity for old musicians.
There have been countless casualties (Peter Green, Syd Barrett) but it seems almost a requirement for the art. Not even counting the ones who OD'd on their own.
(post is archived)