I was trying to find the elusive article(s)/interview(s) where Al talks about Beck and his dad. No luck yet, but I came across this piece which was kind of interesting . . . about El Paso and why some artists are drawn there. Sonic Ranch is discussed too, as are Beck and Jourgensen.
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/03/the-best-little-music-city-in-texas
I was trying to find the elusive article(s)/interview(s) where Al talks about Beck and his dad. No luck yet, but I came across this piece which was kind of interesting . . . about El Paso and why some artists are drawn there. Sonic Ranch is discussed too, as are Beck and Jourgensen.
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/03/the-best-little-music-city-in-texas
Just a bit of clarification here - in the original text, does Al make clear reference to Beck’s “dad”?
I have to wonder if that’s what he really meant. If he’s trying to gain some artistic credibility points with that name-drop, I think he actually means to refer to Beck’s GRANDdad Al Hansen, the “Fluxus” artist. And thus the more desirable person for A.J. to hobnob with rather than this non-famous Fluxus artist, non-friends with Yoko Ono “dad” of Beck’s.
^
TheTexan can clarify what he remembers from the article or interview he read, but the one I am recalling Al supposedly did not know who Beck’s dad actually was (he also supposedly did not know who Beck was). I’m guessing maybe (if the story is true) someone did tell him “Beck’s dad is big in the music business” or something and Al’s drunken mind just latched onto the only Beck (Jeff Beck) that he knew. It’s an easy theory for me to come up with because I could see the same thing happening to me.
Or what about Michael Beck…
^
TheTexan can clarify what he remembers from the article or interview he read, but the one I am recalling Al supposedly did not know who Beck’s dad actually was (he also supposedly did not know who Beck was). I’m guessing maybe (if the story is true) someone did tell him “Beck’s dad is big in the music business” or something and Al’s drunken mind just latched onto the only Beck (Jeff Beck) that he knew. It’s an easy theory for me to come up with because I could see the same thing happening to me.
Well, I haven’t had time to go through my archives (prongs scanned articles & the myriad other articles I’ve found doing web searches), but here’s what I recall:
Yeah, Al was doing some fundraiser benefit thing with the Loeb, the Phair, Beck, and I dunno, dude from Spacehog. He got wasted, I assume on alcohol but don’t recall the substance(s) specifically.
My recollection is that he didn’t know who Beck was, but I dunno, Patty, someone at the fundraiser, or other told him who -my recollection- his father was and that Al knew exactly who it was (not Jeff Beck) and was really into his stuff. He didn’t know what else to say to Beck and was actually just trying to make conversation (drunken, albeit) with the young lad.
Since Tomasz (I think) dropped the nugget about Beck’s grandfather, I’ll concede that that is a strong possibility.
I thought I read it in the Lost Gospels, but again, I did do a quick thumb through, but didn’t see it. I’ve similarly gone through some of the prongs interviews, but I haven’t gone through my bookmarked references that I’ve found over the last 6-8 months. I don’t have a lot of time right now, what with having a day job and fighting the flu bug, but hopefully I can dig something up this weekend.
All that said, I’m standing by my recollection that Al did not think Beck’s dad was Jeff Beck.
Until one of us can prove otherwise, I suppose this will be an X-File. Heck, I nominate Gunnar to start and curate an unsolved cases thread, obviously it should be called XXX-Files, and we can keep track of this wonderful Ministry minutiae.
Well, it’s been 20 years since I’d read that article/interview. The only detail TheTexan and I differ on is who Al supposedly thought Beck’s father was. I need it to be Jeff Beck. Not because I want to be right. I honestly couldn’t care less about that. I just think the story is so much better by my version.
Then that would mean he has a cousin in her mid/late 40’s who was one of the original Babes of Bedlam. Not bad!
Well, it’s been 20 years since I’d read that article/interview. The only detail TheTexan and I differ on is who Al supposedly thought Beck’s father was. I need it to be Jeff Beck. Not because I want to be right. I honestly couldn’t care less about that. I just think the story is so much better by my version.
I remember it your way too.
[reply]Well, it’s been 20 years since I’d read that article/interview. The only detail TheTexan and I differ on is who Al supposedly thought Beck’s father was. I need it to be Jeff Beck. Not because I want to be right. I honestly couldn’t care less about that. I just think the story is so much better by my version.
I remember it your way too.[/reply]
Awesome! Thanks!
TEAM JEFF KICKING ASS!!!