Q & A with Larry Tamblyn
- From where did the inspiration come to write your autobiography: My life’s journey has been filled with so many wild and unusual adventures, some almost unbelievable, I was compelled to put them down on paper, as though I was writing a journal rather than a book. In the process I think I accomplished both.
- Were there any stories that were surprisingly difficult to write? There is nothing to describe the absolute insanity of being in a popular rock band. Constantly being in the public eye, the onslaught of groupies, sex, betrayal from group members. Especially difficult was taking considerable time to explore and deal with these issues in an honest manner. Exposure to drugs and other substances and being sought after sometimes for nefarious purposes were especially difficult. Along the way, growing up in a show business family, living with an abusive stepfather, failed marriages and many bad choices were made.
- What do you hope readers take away from your story? I would love for the reader to perhaps take my journey and apply it to their own lives. I feel fortunate to have had some breaks that others may not have had. I’ve also suffered some setbacks that many can identify with. I hope that by reading my book, readers will not live their lives strictly according to what others demand of them, like I did in some instances, but will always stay true to themselves.
- During your research, did you discover information about yourself and/or the band you never knew? The most amazing part of this journey was in researching the band and me as an individual. In searching out the Standells on the Internet, I was able to re-discover a lot of venues that I either wasn’t clear about or had no recollection of. I was also able to obtain articles and blogs about the group that I’d never seen. In the process, I was able to communicate with several individuals who had played important roles in the band’s career and several who had unique experiences with band members. On a personal level, I was put in touch with old friends, including the first girl I ever kissed.
- What kept you writing? There have been many stories and trivia about the Standells, derived from articles and books by authors who had no personal connection to the group, some of them created by our former producer to embellish his career, most of which are fiction. From day one, I was determined to tell the authentic story of the group and in the process my life story, straight from the heart and without editorial fabrications or self-aggrandizement. As I told my story I really wanted to involve the reader, in some cases drawing allegories to famous movies, books and events. This was a day-to-day challenge. In many cases, I found myself laughing hysterically, wondering “Did I really do this?”
- Has writing this book changed you? I honestly believe that by re-examining my life, including my successes and failures, I have become a better person and understanding of who I am. Also, in exploring the Standells career, I have a much better understanding of our place in rock history. Hopefully this will translate to the reader.
- How did you feel when you finished the first draft? I really felt great about the first draft, until I sent it to a literary agent who, even though I had other published works, felt that I should have had someone more credentialed to write my book. At first, I was tempted to take him up on his suggestion, but I finally decided who better to tell my life story than me? I have since been told that readers prefer to read words written by the artist himself, rather than one who injects his or her perceptions into the process. Subsequently, there have been numerous more drafts.
- Did writing this book help you grow as a person? If so, how? One would always like to believe that in taking a leap of faith to write their biography it would help them to grow as a person and I believe that through this process I have gained a tremendous insight as to who I am. It was a catharsis for me in being able to re-examine episodes of my life and explore my reasons for doing so, good or bad, thus being able to have a better understanding of my life.
- Your career has had its share of ups and downs; was there any one particular event or situation you felt was more impactful for you? I’ve had some many occurrences which affected my life, it’s difficult to nail down any individual event which most impacted me. However, on a personal level one such list would include my childhood friend Anthony with whom I shared many adventures of discovery and my first girlfriend Pamela who bestowed on me my very first kiss at the age of 9 years old. On a professional level, my list would include my early acquaintance with Richie Valens who greatly influenced my career and who I aspired to be as a performer, my first record release as a single artist “Dearest”, and of course the Standells first hit “Dirty Water” and appearing on TV shows like the “Munsters” are is perhaps the most long-lasting and never-ending gifts in my life.
- How did knowing your children and family would be reading your book affect your approach to your writing? My immediate family members, including my brother Russ and wife Glenda, have all read the finished manuscript and seemingly approve. However, my life story, an open book for my grown children and grandchildren to read, was especially unnerving. I’ve given fair warning to all of them that there are some portions of my life which I am not particularly proud of, especially some of the raunchier episodes. However, I’ve made it clear that I would not be the same person today if I hadn’t had all these experiences, good and bad. Regardless, all of them have expressed enthusiasm and are looking forward to reading the book. In explaining my quandary to one entertainer friend, she said “I wish my father had written such a book”. This is how I hope my children would perceive this biography. I don’t pretend to be anywhere near perfect. I am just as human as the next person, making the same life decisions, living with the consequences of those choices and being able to learn from them. That’s all that any of us could ask.