McGuinn at Queen Mary - 8/13/10

[beatbyrd]

Hi,
I saw Roger play last night. He was the 'special guest' (opening act) for Joan Baez at the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA. It's an outdoor venue and the night was cool and breezy. I (SoCal wimp) was actually shivering until I got a jacket. Roger seemed to have more than the usual number of guitar clams and he seemed to also be affected vocally. He did a shortened 1 hour set, with the typical stuff. Joan was impressive for 70, but I was never a big fan of hers. I stayed until the end, figuring that with all of their history, Roger would be called back to join Joan. It didn't happen. I spoke with Camilla and she mentioned that work was being done on a McGuinn biopic. She said that Tom Petty was on it, as well as Chris Hillman. I asked about Crosby and she said that she didn't think so (go figure!). Roger is also working on a "rock the gospel" album. I also spoke with Roger very briefly, but he was preoccupied with pre-show stuff and didn't really want to talk. Both individually refused my request for pictures.

Here are a couple of pictures of his stage setup (who graciously did not refuse):

The full array: Banjo, Martin 12, Martin HD-7, and 370 RM

Martin HD-7 and 370 RM

He is going to the UK in 2011, via cruise ship. Two seminars on the way over, gigs in England, and two seminars on the way home.

Tom

[kvalois]

Tom:

Thanks for the info!!! But, what exactly do you mean by a "biopic.?


Karl

[beatbyrd]

Tom:

Thanks for the info!!! But, what exactly do you mean by a "biopic.?


Karl

Hi, It's short for BIOgraphical PICture. I don't know the exact details, but it's probably a life and times kind of movie (DVD?), that documents his career, with people that he knew through the years providing some interview-style commentary. At least we know that Tom Petty and Chris Hillman will appear on it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, etc. Hey, maybe JH will show up! Talk about a symbiotic relationship.....
Tom

[jimk]

That biopic would be interesting to see.

Changing the subject a bit....I thought Roger's standard operating procedure was to refuse outdoor gigs. Either I was mistaken, or he made an exception.
JimK

[beatbyrd]

That biopic would be interesting to see.

Changing the subject a bit....I thought Roger's standard operating procedure was to refuse outdoor gigs. Either I was mistaken, or he made an exception.
JimK

Hi Jim,
My guess is that he took it for a number of reasons. He could have been gathering some footage for said video. He recently played in Colorado, so maybe it was the proximity. It could have been to fill some time in a fairly light touring calendar. My primary guess is that Joan Baez asked him to do it and he couldn't refuse. I think he has always had quite the ego and I can't see him being an opening act for anyone except his closest friends. Whatever the reason, I agree that he should not play outdoor gigs. The sound is usually not as good and you have to deal with the elements (which appeared to affect his playing and tuning last Friday). Tom

[jimk]

[quote="jimk"
... I think he has always had quite the ego...

Understandable. Don't we all in this business? It helps, sometimes.
JimK

[beatbyrd]

[quote="jimk"
... I think he has always had quite the ego...

Understandable. Don't we all in this business? It helps, sometimes.
JimK

I wasn't knocking him for his ego. I DO think it helped cause him to make some poor decisions in his younger days, but that's also common to a lot of us. I meant that at this point in his life, he wouldn't open for anyone (or play outdoors) just to get a gig. It would have to be a favor for someone that is important to him. He had a 'thing' for Joan many years ago...... so that's probably it.
As a side note, I mentioned I'm not a big fan of Ms. Baez, but I checked out her website today. Wow, that lady really tours! Lots of dates and all over the place. Tom

[jimk]

Oh I understood perfectly, Tom. Everyone on the forum knows what a big McGuinn fan I am.
JimK

[beatbyrd]

Oh I understood perfectly, Tom. Everyone on the forum knows what a big McGuinn fan I am.
JimK

I knew you were a big fan of his. I wanted to make sure my 'ego' comment wasn't interpreted as indicating negativity on my part regarding Roger. He had me hooked with the first 4 bars of MTM in 1965. I mentioned that both Mr. and Mrs. refused my request for pictures. I did manage to get this one, though.

Roger enjoying a pre-show beverage

Tom

[cobrabobby]

I've seen RM at various times in my long, long concert going life. His mouthpiece these days is his dear wife Camilla.
He's seen and heard it all, been burned by the usual and much longer than the normal career. He, like us all, has his
moments, and tries to protect his privacy, rightly so, at his age. He is the first to admit his ego has gotten him in
trouble in the past, but it all cancels out with what he has done to give back to musicians and folk music. In my opinion,
he deserves to be acknowledged, loved and respected as a fine, unique musician, but also is entitled to split his professional
and private life and enjoy his privacy and anonimity when he chooses. He really is a good guy, and is quite shy and humble.
Anyone who collects transistor radios can't be all bad.
Just a longtime fan's opinion.
Bob

[jimk]

Oh I understood perfectly, Tom. Everyone on the forum knows what a big McGuinn fan I am.
JimK

I knew you were a big fan of his. I wanted to make sure my 'ego' comment wasn't interpreted as indicating negativity on my part regarding Roger. He had me hooked with the first 4 bars of MTM in 1965. I mentioned that both Mr. and Mrs. refused my request for pictures. I did manage to get this one, though.

DSC01253 small.jpg

Tom

Sneaky!
JimK

[jps]

Did Roger play on deck? I have been to the QM a few times, what a great way to spend some quality time.

[beatbyrd]

Did Roger play on deck? I have been to the QM a few times, what a great way to spend some quality time.

Hi, No, there is a large 'park' area near the ship. This was the first of a number of summer concerts planned there. I think the Beach Boys are one of the future bands.
Jim....... I wasn't trying to be sneaky. I had asked him for a picture earlier (away from the stage) and he hemmed and hawwed, so I said to him, " 'No' is an option, Roger." He chose that option. For me, the hesitation said it all, which is why I tried to give him an easy 'out'. I like and admire the guy, despite all his quirks and did not want to invade his privacy or be another person who thinks that they somehow own a celebrity, just because they've been a longtime fan. When they are on stage, however, they are fair game for pictures. He's standing on the stage in my picture. I also have a number of very blurry performance pictures where my point and shoot couldn't handle the lighting.
Tom