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Page 99 |
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1972 |
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My recollections are slightly different than the other guys in the band, but why not? It HAS been a lot of years and having a less than perfect memory of things from that long ago is not uncommon. Now let me tell another truth. From this point on, you may find that my memory of the next few years is not as sharp as it should be, due, in great part, to the introduction of cocaine into my life. Yes, I'm sorry to say that, I, TOO, fell prey to the lifestyle and pitfalls that claim many young men and women, especially in the entertainment field. It had become the socially popular drug in the Los Angeles crowd and across most of America, too. That's not to say that it isn't still out there. We all know better. Back then, it was everywhere. It was not uncommon to hear of lawyers, accountants, agents, artists, fans and people from all walks of life that had fallen in love with this so called "new" recreational drug of choice. Its desired effect was a euphoric feeling, similar to an amphetamine type reaction, only immediate, short termed and slightly different. However, there was a very sneaky downside to it that wasn't apparent at first to me, or most people that I knew. Ultimately, you become very paranoid and defensive. Depressed and not even knowing what you were feeling down about, you just felt really, really down. There used to be a joke about cocaine paranoia that went something like, "THEY KNOW MAN!" (who knows and what do they know?) "I DON'T KNOW MAN, BUT I'M TELLING YOU ... THEY KNOW!!." I've heard stories of a friend of mine, alone at his house with a gun in his hand, just sitting in a chair, waiting for the front door to be opened by ... whomever. It can do strange things to you, especially after a few days without any sleep. Cocaine was a very social drug that was found at almost every party. Definitely, at every club and usually at most recording studios. If not being done blatantly in open view of everyone, it would be done like "holding court" in the bathroom, 2, 3 or 4 people at a time standing while one dished out the "blow" in a custom made silver coke spoon. (Another paraphernalia item that was shown with pride and put on exhibition. Not unlike a hash pipe that may have actually been bought in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in the 60's). I think this may have been the original "podium." Do you understand the mindset? Maybe you even remember it. This was a drug that stripped you of your pride, but at the same time, boosted your sense of apparent creativity and importance. In reality, you usually took 3 to 4 times as long to do anything musically, and usually not as good of a performance. Just "wired" and loving the adrenaline of it all. Days at a time was not unusual; 5 days straight was probably the worst it ever got, and that ain't good folks! Ask any rock person of that era about it. The nights I spent at a well-known artist's studio (to remain un-named) in Los Angeles are too numerous to count. By no means was it unique in any respect. Happening all over Los Angeles and the entire country. A bowl of cocaine sitting right on the recording console, with all the hanger-on-ers spread all around the room ... for days. Intense. A Thompson machine gun, laying on the floor under the console on ocassion. I recall one night when the owner of the studio stood up on a chair and proclaimed to a crowded control room that, "I'M A BETTER MAN THAN JESUS CHRIST EVER WAS! .... DOES ANYBODY DISAGREE WITH THAT?" Totally coked out. Total humiliation, due to the position this drug would get you into. Stories of successful musicians and singers, being locked in until they agreed to record something. Intimidation, drugs, guns and an entourage of "heavies" that gave you the sense that they were willing to break your legs if you didn't play ball. Still, the enticement of music, a fully equipped modern recording studio and free cocaine mixed together, was too much lure amidst the fast track of a rock n roll success. It was very prominent in the industry at that time. NOT GOOD. I'm lucky to have made it through alive. This is NOT the UPSIDE of rock n roll that I make reference to. Staying "UP" for days at a time. Are you clear about that? I hope you are. God, I really hope you are. I felt that if I avoided the "drug" culture issue entirely, then this would be too much of a whitewashed version of events. Having said that, let's move on. Although it wasn't released until July of 1972, back in November of 1971 we were in the studio starting to record our next album titled "Seven Seperate Fools." As with most successful bands, each new album was taking longer and longer to complete. More "genius flowing" as we use to call it, in jest. This album was probably the "apex" of our album package offerings, as far as graphics goes. Inside were 7 large playing cards that had individual pictures of each of us on them. We each picked our own cards and with photographer Ed Caraeff's guidance, designed each players card. The name for the album came from the current publicity decision to feature all 7 of us. This was rooted in the fact that responses at our concerts, more and more, were for the unit as a whole. 3DN has always been a vocal group, so it was great to be recognized by everybody for our contribution to the success of the group. I love this band. I always have. Always will. 
While in the Hawaiian islands, I had taken a drive down the coast of Maui to the southern tip, a little town called Hana. (a side note: Aviator Charles Lindbergh is buried there). A really beautiful drive. It takes about 4 1/2 hours round trip from Lahaina. Not a particularly good road, but at just about every turn, back in towards the middle of the island ... you find a waterfall. Then, you keep driving and it winds around again until you see another waterfall. Quite striking. Just past Hana there are some pools that are formed by a fresh water stream called, "Seven Sacred Pools." You can swim in them and/or hike up the hill to see the tier effect of one pool after another. Now, to the point of the story. This was where the name for the album came from. I AM going to take credit on this one, at least for the suggestion that brought it to the table. If someone in the band disagrees, pwease step up to the pwate and take a swing. That's how I remember it. On the next few pages, you'll see the playing cards that were enclosed with the album. Too bad CD packaging can't accommodate this kind of thing today. You have to say this about the old days: The artwork potential was sure nice, considering the size of an LP record cover. Please enjoy taking a look at the front and back of each member's playing card. Let's see. Who shall we start with? |
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