Second Life with John Taylor

I'm late with the blog today and I apologize. Up until about 5 minutes ago I was eyebrows deep in the beginnings of the American Revolution, and I think I might have even told the story well enough to keep my 13 year old son from falling asleep.  That's progress!!

I don't know how many of you have seen the video from You Tube of John's reading and Q & A session on Second Life, but it's actually REALLY good.  I was one of the skeptics, not really sure how it would turn out, and for reasons that have to do with Homecoming Dress Shopping (A very serious drama-filled in our house right now for my 15 year old...and for those unaware of the term "homecoming"...it comes down to a fancy high school dance for us.), I couldn't even attempt to be there on Sunday, so I was thankful for the video.  (A huge shout-out and thanks to Johnny Beane for taking such great video and putting it up on You Tube for all to see!)  To begin with, John was there for a really long time!  I was surprised.  I know the readings and signings he's done so far have been fairly lengthy, but I guess I figured his stay in Second Life would have been shorter?  Regardless, it was a nice surprise.  I loved that he interspersed the section readings with questions from those in attendance, and the questions were great.

There's so much to comment on, and yet since I don't want to give book details away, I will stick purely to a few topics asked in the Q&A.

To begin with, do you want a signing in your US town?  At the moment, John says they have signings planned in NYC and LA, but he is working on convincing Dutton, the publisher, to do more.  He says they have to really be pushed a bit - so he suggested that fans write the publisher.  If you're on Twitter, they have an account there as well. (@DuttonBooks)  I have to admit that I'm surprised more emphasis isn't being put on the US market.  It's not as though John has no fans here, or people willing to buy the book.  I would think that if he'd do a few signings, including one in Chicago...that it wouldn't hurt sales.  I guess that shows just how much I know about books though.  I'm an avid reader, avid iBook person, but signings?  I've never been to a single one.  Maybe that says something.  Not sure.

One thing that I've noticed, and surely John has noticed at this point, is that fans are eager to try and compare his autobiography to Andy's. I think this is partially natural and it probably would happen regardless of who was writing. On another hand, I think there's also a propensity to create more tension and drama where there might already be plenty to go 'round. At each Q&A I've heard or seen video...I've heard someone ask if he did his book as a sort of answer to Andy's. I can see why this is a valid question, and I'm sure John can as well. He was very kind during the Q&A on Second Life when he said that he was glad that Andy had done a book, and that he hopes other people do them as well. (In fact he encouraged ANYBODY to write a book about Duran Duran. To that I coyly reply, "Be careful what you ask for, Mr. Taylor.") In some strange sort of kismet that I've yet to really figure out, my son and I are doing a unit in his Language Arts class that asks the "Big" question: "Is the truth the same for everyone?" I think this question of John's book to Andy's is of the same vein. Both people were in the same band, and a lot of their experiences were shared, but the truths are very different. Perception is everything. I can't imagine John sitting down and trying to "right" whatever stories were told in Andy's book - that wasn't his purpose in writing, and honestly, I think that his story comes off very genuine as a result.

Another fan asks about collaborations - a very common question the band has gotten over the years, and they never fail to stun me with their answers, until today anyway.  I think my mouth dropped open (in pure unadulterated joy, mind you) when I heard John say that there just wasn't anyone he was interested in collaborating with.  I stopped the video, then stood up and applauded.  Then I played it back again to make sure I heard him correctly.  He says that he and the bands would wrack their brains coming up with appropriately "cool" answers when they were asked in the past, but at this point, he's happy with what he's got.  So are we.  Completely.

I would be disappointing myself if I didn't mention John's comments about Dom. Someone asked if Dom would ever be made a permanent member of the band. John answer really kind of took me back, to be honest. He said that Dom already is a permanent member and he is welcome to stay until he chooses to leave. After I picked myself up off of the floor, I heard John explain that Dom is not, however, a Founding Member. It would be difficult if not impossible to bring someone into that sort of circle of trust at this point. History cannot be rewritten, and I think most people would understand that. On one hand, I was happy to hear that at least as far as the band is concerned Dom isn't going anywhere...on another hand...I'd really like to see Dom included in future press, PR, merchandise...and listed as an actual member of Duran Duran if in fact he's really part of the band and not just a member of the "onstage ensemble". I guess I'd like to see him get the same sort of billing that other guitarists and a drummer or two who were not "founding members" enjoyed during their tenure(s) with the band. I would think he had more than proven himself to be worthy by now, but I also completely recognize that for the band - this goes way beyond just "fitting in" and the longevity of nearly nine years. I realize that for the band, a lot of this is purely business. However, for fans? Completely different matter entirely. It's a matter of fans seeing for themselves that yes, Dom is truly a member of the band - that the band in fact accepts him as such, not quite as much the "hired gun" that some fans continue to claim him to be even though he was given writing credit on nearly all of the All You Need is Now album. Maybe with the next album this will happen, we shall see.

John talks about his excitement with the Second Life community, and I think he really appreciates the visual he gets - I suppose it's a little like being on Twitter but with pictures.  He said that it was "easy", which makes me wonder if Second Life has been completely overhauled since I last visited.  I had a tough time doing anything but flying - and even then, I'd fly into buildings and things.  *big sigh*  My son (the video gamer in the family) would have not been proud.  He definitely doesn't get the gaming genes from me.  I don't know though, if the band really does continue doing things like this on Second Life, it does make me think I should give it another try. How hard can it really be???  (Famous last words, right??)

I know there were many, many things John answered in the Q&A, but these were my favorite "highlights".  I smiled as I heard John comment that there's comfort in that where ever he gets on stage, he can always count on some of us being in the audience.  This is true, and we've been through a lot together, haven't we?  It's been a great ride so far, with more to come.

-R

For those who haven't seen the video: