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In "Laid Bare (A Memoir of Wrecked Lives and the Hollywood Death Trip)", John Gilmore shows that rock stars weren't the first to perfect debauchery and excess. With his true-life stories of the film industry of LA (starting in the '50s), Gilmore paints a fascinating picture of those who were searching for success and those who had already achieved it. Who was cutthroat, who was conniving, and who just liked to get high. The parties and the plans; the schemes and the crashes. By the '60s, Gilmore adds rock stars to his circle, such as Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison.
Forget the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon". There needs to be a "Six Degrees of John Gilmore". This guy has brushed elbows with more famous (and infamous) people than you can shake a stick at. A few include: drinking beer with Hank Williams in an LA parking lot (a few months before he died); sexual experimentation with James Dean; interviews with Charles Manson; and flings with Janis Joplin. As an actor himself, Gilmore was familiar with such stars as Jack Nicholson (before he was famous), Dennis Hopper, Jane Fonda, Steve McQueen and Lenny Bruce. His first-hand observations of Carlos Castaneda show the "new age guru" as the scheming scam artist he was.
Speaking of James Dean and his sexual preference - for years there have been rumors that Dean was gay. Well, he wasn't. Gilmore describes James Dean's sexual experimentation as just that…experimentation. And he ought to know, because it was him that was part of it. Gilmore paints the picture of a restless James Dean, who wants to try all experiences. Pure and simple.
The great thing about Gilmore's writing is that he seems to be able to write totally as an unbiased observer, picking up on little intricacies of each person's personality. Maybe this is from his experience as a "crime writer". But one thing for certain - you'll be captivated by this book, and maybe even a little jealous of Gilmore himself.
You know the feeling you get when you come upon a really gory car crash scene? You know you shouldn't look, but there is that naturally curious part of the human psyche that makes you look at the unknown and the sometimes "taboo". This sudden rush of exhilaration, then slight guilt is what you might experience while reading "Crazy Streak". You are drawn to the story, despite its subject matter. This novel takes place in a small, white trash community in the desert wasteland. It involves deception, sibling rivalry, murder, doubt, trust, and of course sex. Not just any sex, mind you, but three taboo subjects: sex with jailbait, sex with your mother and sex with a preacher. Gilmore unabashedly talks about the carnal lusts and desires that most people have - whether or not they are able to admit it. He also describes perfectly the kind of hopelessness that seems to feed on this type of town. I kept reading with anticipation, just to see what new twist would be uncovered. John Gilmore has the innate ability to tap into the dark recesses of the mind and write about so-called taboos of society. All seemingly without any guilt - and that's a good thing. Cause life ain't perfect or a safe place. Besides, you can always take a shower after reading this book and wash away the imaginary dirt that you suddenly feel on your skin - and then go back to your "perfect" life. But the seed of reality has already been planted in your mind by John Gilmore.
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"Laid Bare (A Memoir of Wrecked Lives and the Hollywood Death Trip)"
"Crazy Streak"