[Quick note: this is an amended interview, the complete interview can be found on the Abandoned Albums podcast.]
Writer Joel Selvin has covered so many topics with his books like Altamont, Fare Thee Well, Hollywood Eden, Sly and the Family Stone, and on and on. So when I found out that Jim Gordon’s story was in his hands, I felt a sense of relief. I didn’t think there was anyone more suited to tell this story.
And that is just what he has done with his new book Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon (available 2.27).
If you’ve ever held a conversation with me for any specific amount of time, then I have undoubtedly brought up two artists I feel that you should know about. Welsh band Manic Street Preachers and drummer Jim Gordon. Two very important artists not only for the work they’ve done, but each has a truly sad story.
This week's Mix n’ Match is a shortened version of last week's Abandoned Albums podcast. Why the double whammy? I believe very much in helping raise awareness of Jim’s contributions to popular culture; they are almost unparalleled.
In one way or another, I promise you, you have been impacted by Jim Gordon’s creative work.
If you want a more nuanced and textured discussion, you can head on over to the Abandoned Albums site to hear my entire entire conversation with Joel.
The story of Jim Gordon is terribly complicated, and epically tragic, but it’s one that needs to be told. And Joel is the guy to do it.
The book drops tomorrow, and I have read it, and despite the crime committed, you get a clear perspective on his creative work.
Can an artist be more than the crime they’ve committed?
Jim Gordon died on March 23, 2023, at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California.
PLAYLIST
LINKS
The full interview on Abandoned Albums
When The Voices Took Over
By Barry Rehfeld
From Rolling Stone- June 6th, 1985
This links to a rogue post because RS requires all sorts of nonsense to read it.
An article I wrote on Medium about Jim Gordon in 2019
Author Joel Selvin on his new book.