My dad and mom divorced when I was around ten and I didn't live with him after that though he was close by and we saw each other weekly. I wasn't really aware that he was a writer I didn't start reading his writing until I was about fifteen. It occurred to me then that my dad was kind of special he's still one of my favorite writers.
Dad is my best mate and I can tell Mum absolutely anything. I really appreciate Mum and Dad. Why are we so close? Young parents I think. The rock business keeps their minds young.
I wanted to travel with my dad to be close to him again. Having babies and raising my own family took so much of my time I didn't have a chance to be with him very often.
I used to listen to my dad a lot as a way of trying to be close to him as well because my parents were divorced and I didn't spend that much time with him. And I used to put headphones on and listen to my dad talk and sing and I found that quite... bonding with him in a weird way.
But more importantly I think he remembered how very close I was with my own dad who had died in 1997.
And you know my dad would show me some things sometimes but the best things that I got to do were to actually see really good players play up close. That gives you an idea of fingering and technique and what not.
I remember opening my dad's closet and there were like 40 suits every color of the rainbow plaid and winter and summer. He had two jewelry boxes full of watches and lighters and cuff links. And just... he was that guy. He was probably unfulfilled in his life in many ways.
I wanted to make a point of basing myself at home being close to my family. I'll never be able to repay Mum and Dad for what they did but at least they know they'll never have to work another day. I'll do whatever it takes to look after them.
The only ones I trust really are my Mum and Dad and those who are closest to me.
When I used to do musical theatre my dad refused to come backstage. He never wanted to see the props up close or the sets up close. He didn't want to see the magic.