Need I write anymore? Well, fine.
I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale. Two months early. One would be safe to assume I like Henry Rollins and was excited. Did he disappoint? Nope. Never. This man is truly amazing. Even if you don't enjoy what he has to say, really you should just give him props for doing his thing and never slowing down. He is a machine and just goes and goes.
We sit down and my friend asks, "How long do these things usually go for?" It had been a while for me, so I guessed and said, "oh, I think an hour and half, maybe two hours." Right. Any mere mortal would last maybe that long. Henry? Nope. Three hours straight of talking. A-mazing.
I've seen Henry Rollins perform three times now. I've listened to his music, read most of his books, and come to love him from afar. Now before you get a stalkery image of me- if I really enjoy an author or artist, I really go full on and love them for what they do. I'm not pretending I know the person or becoming obsessive. Okay, maybe obsessive, but from a very disciplined distance.
For those of you who don't know- Henry Rollins is a musician, writer, spoken word performer, who started in the eighties in Black Flag. Beginning his career he was an angry person, full of spite and cynicism. His best friend was murdered in front of him in the early 90s, so one can see where some of his anger has come from.
As for myself, let's just say I read a lot. A freakin' lot. And I first started reading Rollins in my impressionable youth of fifteen. Suffice it to say that he has both been very good for me, and very horrible for me. His writing is achingly sad and hollowing. At times he is very inspiring, and yet also can be very depressing.
Seeing him in person is much different from reading his words. On paper he reads a bit more on the negative side of things. He brings more humor in presence. This tour was filled with his usual topics- politics, life, travel, people, and touching a bit on sex and drugs. I never get bored with him, and sometimes he really isn't what you expect. I think my friend had this view of him as just an angry man with a mic, but he really has such a sweet endearing view of life and the world. And he's so spastic on stage!
But I must say, as soon as he steps off stage, he's different. I met him after the first time I saw him in New York, and I'm just glad he didn't spit on or ridicule me. I shook his hand and said thank you, but he's pretty damn intimidating.
There are things that I like, that I love or enjoy, but one of the best feelings in the world for me is to read something, listen to something, or be with someone and really feel a connection and understanding. I've always felt that when reading Rollins. So, perhaps my response of "okay, we can't be friends now" to my friends' ONE negative comment of Henry when driving home, may have been a bit over the top. But maybe you can understand a little.
Thanks Henry, keep on.
