1. When was the first time you met Gene?
I think it was 1982 or so at The Palomino, in North Hollywood CA. I was on a date with Micki Steele, she was not yet the Bangles’ bass player, and we went to see the Gene, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Al Perkins band play there. Later they cut demos as Nyteflyte, which are heard on the new Gene CD from Sierra (The Lost Studio Sessions 1964-1982). He came over to our table to speak to someone else sitting nearby and he recognized me (of course I recognized him!) and we got to chatting.
2. What is your favorite Gene Clark story/memory?
I put on a charity gig in February (1991) a few months before Gene died and he and Carla Olson just played as a duet and they were magnificent that evening. Just terrific. He was in great form and this was before he really started his spiraling downfall so it means a lot to me looking back.
3. What do you know about Gene that you would want his fans to know?
That he was a nice Missouri boy at heart. An addiction to alcohol and drugs took him down. If he had stayed sober he’d probably be a star now or at least a widely admired songwriter and cult artist. But he could not keep away from bad things and there is a lesson there. They robbed him of his decision-making process and even started to take his looks from him by the end. It was very sad to witness and people should know this can/could be avoided in their own lives.
4. Favorite Gene Clark Song/Album?
Favorite song is Eight Miles High. Favorite album is a tie between Gene Clark With the Gosdin Brothers and the first Dillard and Clark album (The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark).
5. FIll in the blank:
I think Gene Clark should be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame because...
Because he was a brilliant songwriter who had songs covered by Willie Nelson, The Eagles, Yo La Tengo and dozens and dozens of other talented folks who recognized his genius.
