Book Discussion–In the Pleasure Groove (Chapters 70-72)

It’s book discussion Monday!  We are getting to the end of our discussion on John Taylor’s autobiography.  This week, we discuss chapters 70-72.  These chapters cover the years 1998-2003.  During this time, John dealt with the death of his mother and his new marriage to Gela.  Professionally, the band reunited and despite challenges faced, the reunion was successful and John maintained sobriety.  For many of us, this reunion reawakened our inner Duranie and many of us found ourselves participating in Duranland in amounts and intensity not seen since the 1980s.  With that context, let’s dive in!  As always, feel free to respond to the discussion questions posed and/or add your own!

Chapter 70:  A Different Kind of Profound
What were your thoughts while you read of the passing of John’s mother?
A – This is one of those chapters that I definitely found myself in tears.  I am fortunate to have both of my parents still with me and absolutely dread when one of them goes, partly because of what John talked about with his dad.  As John pointed out, after his mother died, his dad was never the same and found himself in isolation.  I’m sure my father would be the exact same way.  Despite my utter sadness reading this, I found myself relieved for John and his parents that he was sober for this event.
R – I swear that this book, or at least parts of it, were almost therapy (for me). I found myself relating to much of it, and probably in completely different ways, or at least on different levels, than John probably ever considered. My point is simply that many people, fans, friends and probably family alike – can probably find something in this book that is relatable and speaks to them.  Like many of you, I have lost a parent.  My dad was sick for the last three years of his life, and he spent the last three weeks of his life on a ventilator in the hospital.  It’s so strange how you can think you’re over the sharpest pains of grieving and then just one sentence can send you right back, feeling the knife dig in just a little farther to remind you that it is something that will be carried forever.  That’s how reading this chapter was for me.  

Chapter 71:  The Reunion of the Snake
Were you surprised by Gela’s role in encouraging the reunion?
A – I admit that I was.  It isn’t that I don’t think she is supportive.  I know that she is as I remember the big billboard Juicy posted in Times Square when Astronaut came out.  I also knew about that Juicy promo show in which Simon did a guest appearance.  In fact, I’ll include that here.  I think it is important for Duranies to watch it and see if the vibe towards the reunion was there.

Anyway, I just didn’t realize that it was Gela who proposed that Simon participate in this show. I’m grateful that she did.
R – I was very surprised, to be honest. I didn’t know Gela on any level prior to John’s return to the band. I wasn’t there at the time and I have no idea what really happened – but sometimes all it really takes to build a bridge is someone innocently providing the pathway to begin, and I think that was Gela’s role.  

Based on what John mentioned with the reunion, what do you think was the most challenging aspect of it?
A – The possible choices here are obvious, including having Warren leave, repairing relationships, managing the band and financial decisions, musical differences or lack of interest from the fans and the general public.  It seems to me that having Warren leave wasn’t tough, at least that was the impression I have from reading this.  I was surprised that John didn’t focus more on the manager and financial debates as Andy seemed pretty fixated on these elements.  Is that because Andy was given such a different percentage of their earnings?  Maybe.  Is it because, for John, other issues were more difficult?  Possibly.  Whatever the reason, it seems like the toughest element of the reunion, even though John didn’t mention much in detail, was repairing those relationships.  I knew that Nick was upset that John left but I didn’t realize that their relationship suffered more than brief disappointment.  Yet, of course, it makes that sense that it would.  It seems clear to me that we are all lucky that they were able to overcome enough to see the reunion through as it seems like it was fragile.  Very fragile.
R – I never felt completely confident in the reunion.  I don’t know that I recognized that at the time, but looking back – I think that’s why I was so set on seeing them as often as I did that first summer out (2003).  I have mentioned before that when it was announced that Andy wasn’t returning that I was shocked at how much I was not shocked. I think I saw it coming.  I’ve said many times that the reunion of the original five was so perfect, it just wasn’t meant to last – it was meant to be a precise moment in time, and that it was. I don’t believe there was ONE aspect more challenging than any other, it was simply “A Challenge”.  Did they meet the challenge?  Yes, I think they did.  I think they did what they set out to do – and while it might not be the most popular opinion, I believe that their time as that particular five person band was simply finished.  (I’ve also learned never to say “never”.)  

Chapter 72:  Osaka Time
This chapter is a tough one to discuss since so much of it deals with religion, God and spirituality.  Do you think that John addressed this the best way he could?
A – First, let me say that I think most people, most John fans, most Duran fans reading this chapter are interpreting this description of John’s spirituality through their own personal lenses of religion and spirituality.  What I mean by this is that we have all very strong feelings when it comes to this topic.  Thus, we are all reading this chapter and interpreting how we want to interpret it.  This isn’t a criticism of any reader as I’m sure I’m guilty of it, too.  My point here really is to say that John was very careful to not alienate anyone.  He admitted that he has a new version of God but did not specify much to that, other than the idea of a higher power.  It seems to me that John wanted to be open and truthful about what he thinks and feels but understands and respects others enough to not say too much.
R – I think John relayed what he felt was important to relay. I don’t personally have issues with what ever his relationship with spirituality might be, only that I’m glad he found whatever he needed to find to get through that particular moment in time for him; and that would have included being absolutely supportive had he said he had NO spirituality in that “power above” sense.  I guess I just feel that we all find our way through life, and there’s so much to have opinions about – in this one particular area I have no answers, and my beliefs are no better or worse than anyone else’s.  

What role did fans have in Osaka, do you think?
A – John ends this chapter by saying that the band still had it and the fans still wanted it.  It made me feel that it was the fans that pushed the reunion to keep going.  The band could see and feel that the fans were still here and still loved them.  That was enough of a reason to keep going even when tensions were high.
R – Do you know what strikes me most about the reunion?  The fact that the band seemed surprised by our reaction to them. I must really be living in a bubble, because there seemed to be no other possible reaction to the original five members reuniting.  There is very precious little of which I am absolutely sure of in life – but when the band announced this reunion, I had no doubt whatsoever that fans would embrace them as before. I knew I couldn’t possibly be alone – it was a dream come true that (at the time) I was convinced would never happen.  I remember proclaiming all over the boards at DDF (duranduranfans.com) that we – the fans – never really left them; but the band left us. I felt that way again after Andy left during the time of Red Carpet Massacre. They’re back now though, and this time, I’m hopeful they stick around.  


Final Thoughts:
In a recent book club, the section of chapters we read and discussed seemed to all fit into the idea of lessons learned.  These chapters seem to be the application of the lessons.  John worked hard to learn how to cope with difficult situations without the use of drugs and alcohol.  These chapters saw tests of his effort.  First, he had to deal with his mother’s death then he had to struggle through the difficulty of the reunion.  The band’s trip to Japan could have been a disaster for John and the band.  Instead, John found a way through and he and the band got stronger because of it.

On that note, we will finish the book next week by discussing the last remaining chapters of 73 and 74.  After that, Rhonda and I will present our thoughts of the book overall in the following week.

-A