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COLUMN FIFTY-SIX, FEBRUARY 1, 2001
(Copyright © 2001 Al Aronowitz)

ABOUT PHIL SPECTOR
(/column47.html)

 

Subject: You are a schmuck
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 04:32:45 -0000
From: "Elvira Simone" <elvira_simone@hotmail.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Mr. Aronowitz -

My name is Elvira, and a good friend of mine - a good friend of Phil Spector, told me you gave her your card at last year's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. Out of curiosity, we looked you up, and found all those disparaging things you had to say about Phillip at the 1999 show. You are a sell-out and a fraud. Mr. Spector does not even smoke! No wonder he "hardly talks to you anymore"! I don't talk to Mr. Spector, but I do know that he is a very sweet man. If he did have an out burst 2 years ago, that is no reason to imply such nasty things, as you did by saying he ripped off the inscription from his father's grave to make it big in the music business. Maybe the inscription did come from that, but it by no means was used as a sell - out, as you are using these defamatory witings.  ##

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MORE ABOUT PHIL SPECTOR

Subject: phil spector article
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 14:59:22 -050
From: john rausch <jonr@ohio.net>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Hi Al, a friend sent me the link to your on line article on Spector`s party, that you wrote about from 1999, I read it and sent it to a friend of mine who is one of Phil`s children, he asked me to forward his note to you anonamously, so I will paste it in here on this note, he just wanted to reply to your article, if you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to email me, as I am acting as the middleman at this point.

Best regards

John Rausch

Pasting...........

To: Al Aronowitz.

A friend of mine sent me your COLUMN FORTY-SEVEN, JULY 1, 1999 Article thinking I might be interested in it. I was as I am always interested in just about any article about Phil Spector.

I would like to give you a few bits of info about some of the people you wrote about. Phil's long time friend and Bodyguard, George you mentioned, His last name was Brand. You stated that he was retired and probably living well on a pension. Sorry to inform you. George Brand was a dear friend of the Spector family but never was given a raise after working for Phil for so many Years to include helping to raise Phil's 3 Sons (Louis, Gary and Donté). George is now retired and not doing well and has no contact with Phil. The relation changed when Phil moved from his house of 27 Years.

As for the house, I am not sure what house you saw. It was not in Bell Air nor was it in Hollywood. It was in Beverly Hills.

He had rented it without a rent increase the entire time and was rented from Kurt Cruger (?) and James Coburn (?).

You also mentioned Phil's Daughter who at the time of your article was only 16 and still in High School. She just turned 18 in Oct 2000. She is now in a New York College learning about Writting and Phil is paying some if not all her bills. As Phil stated in a recent Vanity Fair issue, he is very proud of her as are her Brothers.

If you want to know just how great of a person he really is just ask his friends (as I am thinking you may be one). But if you want to know how great of a Father he was you may get 2 stories. 1 from the only Girl born into the family and Twin to the now deceased Phil Jr.. And you are very likely to get a very different story from his 3 Adopted sons whom very few people were allowed to meet.

Louis, the Oldest (34) has been struggling for many Years for a decent education had to practically teach himself to read and speak. Find much enjoyment in painting and had his 1st art show at a local L.A. restaurant (which Phil did not attend).

Gary, (Louis's Twin both adopted at age 5) Both were told to join the Army and not to go to College, but only he actually joined the Military. After Serving for 8 Months as a cook and getting a lot of harrassment for being a "Rich Kid" and for enlisting with advance rank in the U.S. Air Force and telling them that "his Father earned the Money and keeps the money".

He was Discharged without the option to ever re-enlist. Serving his Country was a dream come true for him because it meant that he finally mattered to someone. After that he was unable to find employment and had to live at the Red Cross for almost a Year. He is now working for a large Computer company as a Phone Tech.

The last time Gary ever talk to Phil was just hours before catching a Greyhound from Colorado to California to watch his Father get an award at the Grammy's in 2000.

His Father told him that he did not want him in California and that this was a personal thing that he needs to do alone.

Donté (31) has been in and out of rehab centers for 1 problem after another. As a kid, he ran away to live with Ronnie whom he thought was his Mother to later find out that she was not. He now has a family with kids and is trying  to manage while they are all living with her family.

Dispite all these problems life still goes on with almost no contact with Phil. Not so much as a Christmas card to ether of them.

As for the mystery of who Nicole's mother is. She is a long time friend of the family. Her name is Janis. An old High School friend. Janis went to a rival school if I am correct. Phil refused to admit if he ever married her even to his own sons. She does consider them her kids and was able to get close to them which they needed very much. And even receives Mother's day Cards or at least a call every Year.

If you want to know what life was like, check out "Flowers in the Attic". Though they were not drugged, they were kept very separate from the life of the Producer and had a hard time finding their father just to be a family. And yes, they were locked in their rooms during the evenings so they would not bother Phil.

I think, if you read between the lines of the Vanity Fair artcle you will see just how he really feels about his kids.

I do know that at least one of his sons still cares very much about Phil and refuses to hold any outward grudges against him. In fact he is a small time collector of his music.

One thing that is very important about knowing the Legendary Phil Spector is that you need to know the different sides of him and that it is actually possible to really like him and at the same time dislike him. You just need to keep the sides separate or things will get very confusing and you may miss the genius of his art and personality.

I hope this info does not do any more then just answer your questions and maybe introduce you to still yet another side of this multi-faceted individual that many of use have grown up with and have been entertained by.

This info is from a private resource and some info can be verified in Published books. -- E  ##

 

* * *

LOOKING FOR BOBBY NEUWIRTH

Subject: Please forward to Al Aronowitz or Bob Neuwirth:
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 23:16:46 EST
From: BobbyShehorn@aol.com
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com 

Dear Al, It's only been 15 to 20 years since we last spoke but pride tells me you should remember.  I spoke with Sredni at his home a few days after Rick's [Danko’s} death and still think of Woodpile [Woodstock] with my fondest memories, after moving to Big D ten years ago.  I was surfing to find a link to Neuwirth after aquiring his CD in the closout bin while I was rackjobbing mine.  Last I heard he had shed some of those 99 monkeys that we both shared.  Please send me his info if you have it at BobbyShehorn@aol.com.  ##

* * *

RE: THE AGALIST

Subject: Re: AGALIST
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 16:05:40 EST
From: MBCE99@aol.com
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

al, i appreciate the heads up about the new issue. i can't wait to read it.  i dig what you're doing and i hope you keep it up.  I get a fucking groovy kick out of seeing your name when i'm reading books about the beats or even the BEATLES.   i'm reading this new goddamn tabloid book about John Lennon, "Lennon in America", the New York years, with Yoko at the Dakota and so on, and it mentions your name in it, in a harmless or benevolent way, so don’t worry.  Keep fighting the good fight and keep me on your list, man.

Truly,

Michael B. Cole,

Santa Cruz, California  ##

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MORE RE: THE AGALIST

Subject: Re: EXPLANATION
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 11:00:24 -0600
From: gaeton lauri <lauri@interaccess.com>
Organization: home
To: al aronowitz <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>  

Dear Al:

You just keep sending out your messages, columns, whatever, and don't be bullied by anyone. I read every word and hope that you are encouraged by my unstinting support of your efforts to exercise your rights. Too bad you feel it necessary to fight a fair fight when all your unrepentent foes resort to every dirty trick they can pull. Be strong, we're with you all the way.   Gaeton Lauri--RU Old Guard classmate  ##

* * *

DITTO

Subject: Re: EXPLANATION
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 14:48:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Lady Moon <theladymoon@excite.com>
To: al aronowitz <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>  

Dear Al,

I second that devotion!

Regards,

Nan Desmarais
Technical Writer
Vancouver, Canada  ##  

* * *

DITTO AGAIN!

Subject: Re: EXPLANATION
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 21:09:12 -0000
From: "Otis Mace" <otismace@hotmail.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Al,

The newsletters are great! Keep em coming (but I only need one copy).I haven't really had a chance to read this months articles but  that poem about the true American history  was great!

All the best,(and keep up the good work)

Otis Mace

www.geocities.com/soho/cafe/9793
and
www.MP3.com/otismace
and
www.BeSonic.com/otismace  ##  

* * *

ANOTHER DITTO

Subject: Thanks
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 15:09:15 EST
From: NAMBLUES@aol.com
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Hi, Al,

    I knew it was hackers messing with your e-group from the start. I assumed it was US Government hackers as well. If that was the case then several of the most enraged complainers would be part of the operation. I don't care if I get 10 copies of everything you send out because I just read   one of them. Apparently, unlike some folks, I went ahead and spent the big bucks and got me a computer that has a "Delete" button. :-)     I appreciate being on your mailing list.  ~ Sarge Lintecum ~  ##

* * *

DITTO AGAIN

Subject: Re: COLUMN 54
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 13:27:47 -0800 (PST)
From: boyhowdy233@webtv.net (Shirley Pena)
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com (al aronowitz) 

Hello Al!   Well, I can only say that once again you have put together yet another BRILLIANT COLUMN!!! I can't resist the pun: I GOBBLED IT UP,LOL!!! I have been wanting to call/write you but dammit, I CANNOT FIND YOUR ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER in my book :-( If you'd be sweet enough to send it to me AGAIN I'd be DELIGHTED to write/phone you!! Hey, WHO NEEDS Egroup?! I am just SO HAPPY every time I get the TREAT to read one of your columns!                                  

Lots Of Love,                                                      

Shirley

P.S. If you'd like to phone me again sometime, my number is the same as Before.

* * *

ANOTHER SATISFIED READER

Subject: Hello Al/Larry Sawyer
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 10:35:18 -0500
From: Larry Sawyer <sawyerl@gemair.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com 

Dear Al:

Just got a chance to look at your site. It's looking really good! My computer takes forever to download anything for some reason. All is well here, though. We're just working on volume two of milk magazine, etc. Hey, thanks for posting my poems. Check out www.corpse.org in the next few weeks, when they get to volume #8 there'll be a poem or two there I'm proud of. Keep up the important work. siempre, Larry S.

* * *

STILL ANOTHER SATISFIED READER

 

Subject: Re: EXPLANATION
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 16:15:55 -0500
From: terll:"First terll:Last" <terll@earthlink.net>
To: al aronowitz <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>  

Al: Send E mail anytime. I'd like to meet you and chat sometime and perhaps see some of your memorabilia from the past.  

* * *

MAL’S NOTES

Subject: The Beatles: Mal's Notes
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 14:59:53 -0500
From: Maggie Neato <Maggie@xmansion.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

From 'The Blacklisted Journalist: Column Two, October 1, 1995' (/column2.html):

  "There also came a certain point when Paul realized he was really thinking for the first time in his life and he also realized that this was a great occasion. He told Mal to get a pad and a pen and to write down everything he said. From then on, Mal followed Paul through the rooms of the suite, writing down everything Paul said, but I never learned what happened to Mal's notes."

You may already know by now, but just in case you didn't find out about this, here it is from 'The Beatles Anthology' book, page 158:

"PAUL: 'We had a crazy party the night we met. I went around thinking I'd found the meaning of life that night. I kept saying to Mal, "Get a paper and paper, I've got it." Mal, who was a bit out of it too, couldn't find a pencil or paper anywhere. Eventually he found some and I wrote down The Message of the Universe and told him, "Now keep that in your pocket." Next morning Mal said, "Hey Paul, do you want to see that bit of paper?" I had written: "There are seven levels." Yeah, OK, maybe it didn't exactly sum it all up after all, but we had a great time.’

“Drugs have now become such a serious menace that it is very difficult to write about the subject; I don't want to influence anyone in this day and age - I've got kids of my own. (When we used to talk about it, it was a bit lightweight; you could talk about pot and wine as apposed to scotch and Coke.) But it is part of the truth."

.:: Maggie ::.  ##

* * *

A BEATLES QUERY FROM THE UKRAINE

Subject: the beatles
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 13:27:32 -0000
From: "NTA" <nta@link.lviv.ua>
To: <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>  

hello,

I am the journalist from Ukraine. I prepare the story about John Lennon. Where can I get the information about the streets named after John Lennon and the others all over the world? We have the one in our city Lviv. If it is possible, let me know today.

thank you,

Zhanna Kostyleva

* * *

UNCANNY SYNCHRONICITY!

 

Subject: synchronicity
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 10:38:19 -0000
From: "John Williams" <deltadreamer@thefreeinternet.co.uk>
To: "journalist blacklisted" <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>  

Hi,

I was looking for a reference to my own site and the same search terms turned up two sites, yours and mine.  It is uncanny since you did all the things I always wanted to but never had the faintest idea how to. That is, meet Lennon and Dylan etc.  The strangest thing was that you should have a section of your site that deals with holocaust denial, because I have attempted to rebuff the likes of Irving et al on my own site, http://www.thefreeinternet.co.uk/deltadreamer/liverpool

The essays/bits/schticks are 'There ain't half been some clever bastards' and 'Flake'.  The latter is my own modest proposal and seems to baffle the 'irony challenged' reader while introducing a different aspect of the 'numbers game'.  My own experience of being a gentile in Israel is recorded in 'A trail of two cities'.  I cite these because I have been seeking an answer to a question concerning Lidice and Hitler's actual role in it which I see as pivotal to the arguments concerning his alleged ignorance of the Holocaust.  I was hoping you might have an idea, as I cannot find any historians who have addressed this point.  Why exactly where you blacklisted, if that isn't too impertinent a question?

Felicitations
John Williams  ##  

* * *

YELLOW PADS?

Subject: RE: EXPLANATION
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 16:04:09 -0500
From: Scott.Ross@cbn.org
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Al,

I think we all need to go back to yellow pads.

Love 'ya and press on.

Scott ##

* * *

TWO COMMENTS

Subject: Re: COLUMN 54
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 15:49:41 EST
From: PIGPROD@aol.com
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Tuli's Ticklers?

YES INDEED!

Very Interesting Mick as well,

Pig.

* * *

PAUL BOWLES ON FILM

Subject: Paul Bowles on Film
Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 12:01:46 -0500
From: Jon Hertzberg <jon@firstrunfeatures.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Hi there,

I'm writing to you from First Run Features to tell you about two films dedicated to the work of legendary author Paul Bowles.  The writer of THE SHELTERING SKY and a key inspiration to such celebrated 'outsiders' William Burroughs, Bernardo Bertolucci, and David Cronenberg, Bowles is the subject of the fascinating documentary PAUL BOWLES: THE COMPLETE OUTSIDER and the "beguiling" HALFMOON, a feature film that brings three of his stories to the screen.

Filmed in Bowles' adopted home Tangiers, Morocco, PAUL BOWLES: THE COMPLETE OUTSIDER is a documentary that explores Bowles' roots and explores his developments as an author and composer.  It also delves into his complicated marriage to fellow author Jane Bowles, a union that lasted for several decades despite the fact that both were gay.  Featuring interviews with Bowles in which he discusses his writing, music, use of drugs, and his array of friends--including W.H. Auden, Tennessee Williams, Aaron Copland,

Gertrude Stein, and Allen Ginsberg (who also appears in the film), the film is a illuminating glimpse into the world of Paul Bowles and not to be missed.

The 1995 film HALFMOON takes three Bowles stories and brings their mystery, passion, and exotic landscape to the screen.  Bowles himself introduces and narrates each of the segments which range in locale from Morocco to the Amazon.

With the recent death of Paul Bowles, the films are that much more valuable  in that he collaborated and participated in the production of each film.

PAUL BOWLES: THE COMPLETE OUTSIDER and HALFMOON are distributed on video by First Run Features and are of great interest to admirers of Bowles and anyone interested in personalities and stories existing far outside the mainstream, challenging and probing popular beliefs and behavior.

I was wondering if you might be able to post a heads-up to your readers about the films and a link to their pages at, http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/vid/bowles.html and http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/vid/half.html

Please let me know if this would be a possibility or if you have any further questions about us or the film.  Thank you very much.

Best regards,

Jon Hertzberg
Director of Consumer Sales
First Run Features  ##  

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