Did you get blasted into the ether in the 1970s? The space race, psychedelic trips, and artistic revolutions of the new age launched my search for fun, fulfilment, and fantasy. When the Who took the stage at the Fabulous Forum and sang “My Generation,” we stood on our flimsy floor seats screaming in ecstasy, terminally unique. We no longer believed in limits—inspired by political and spiritual uprisings—and gave ourselves permission to heed our highest callings. Not everyone shared our joy, however.
Back then, my family lambasted me for staying detached from the “real world.” On that, we agreed. I used to have a button pinned to the bulletin board above my desk: “Reality is for people who can’t handle drugs.” Like many kids my age, I thought, what’s so great about your reality, anyway?
My memoir, Welcome to Fabulous Angeles, examines this universal conflict while it exposes the glitz and grime under LA’s starry skies. It has drugs, love, and celebrities, with a classic rock soundtrack as its heartbeat. But at its core, it’s a tragic tale of how an innocent young boy, who wanted nothing more than to share his creative abilities, got vilified for striving to become the man of his own dreams.
Whether you grew up in Southern California in the ’70s, wish you did, or find yourself curious about what life looked like when America's youth thumbed their noses at gravity, you’ll enjoy the jaunt through the cultural zeitgeist that defined these colorful times. It’ll make you laugh and make you cry, covering ground that’s both nostalgic and contemporary.
If you’re a Baby Boomer like me, a curious Gen Alpha, or anyone in-between, you are welcome here and encouraged to share your memories, opinions, and questions. Together, we can establish a community of seekers who wish to enrich our lives through the shared experiences of our disparate youths.