I'm long overdue in posting many things. I'll get to them eventually. I recently found out that an old friend by the name of John Liddle died abruptly of currently unknown causes. The news has left me a bit numb, and I suspect that posting about the individual who died will help me sort through my feelings.
When I was 16 years old, I worked closely with John while managing the Berkeley Rocky Horror Picture Show cast. The show was in bad shape, the members of the cast outnumbering the very small audience. Together, we built the production into something that defied the expectations of those around us, drawing in audiences that numbered in thousands, managing a production on a 20th Century Sound stage, appearing in US Magazine and on MTV. We planned and plotted every day on what to do to advance our organization, sometimes while sitting around a hot tub in Malibu at some high powered Producers office while being served drinks by a girl named Bunny.
Then there was the time where we found ourselves in charge of a hot oil wrestling team.
It was a very strange time in our lives.
But after 3 years, I felt the best we could accomplish in that limited pool was behind us, and I quit to work in comics, partnering with another former member of the RHPS cast: Eric Jones.
John and I did not part on the best of terms. Though they certainly were not the worst either. In the last few years, we regained contact when he began dropping by my booth at WonderCon. He always suggested we get together some time. I always agreed, but never found the time. I always meant to. I missed some of the madness and friendship he brought to my life. And I wanted to tell him this. I wish I had.
John deserved fame. I don't say this casually. He was somebody that, given the correct circumstances, would have risen incredibly far. But those circumstances never quite found him and he never realized his full potential.
I owe a lot to John. He helped me understand how entertainment can be buisness. How to create something from nothing. How to have confidence in my instincts. Without the time we spent working together onRHPS, I probably would not be writing comics now.
I should have told him these things. He deserved to know. But (as is so often the case) I always imagined there was time.
Anyway, if you are reading this and you are a fan of my work, take a moment to thank John Liddle.
May he rest in peace.
When I was 16 years old, I worked closely with John while managing the Berkeley Rocky Horror Picture Show cast. The show was in bad shape, the members of the cast outnumbering the very small audience. Together, we built the production into something that defied the expectations of those around us, drawing in audiences that numbered in thousands, managing a production on a 20th Century Sound stage, appearing in US Magazine and on MTV. We planned and plotted every day on what to do to advance our organization, sometimes while sitting around a hot tub in Malibu at some high powered Producers office while being served drinks by a girl named Bunny.
Then there was the time where we found ourselves in charge of a hot oil wrestling team.
It was a very strange time in our lives.
But after 3 years, I felt the best we could accomplish in that limited pool was behind us, and I quit to work in comics, partnering with another former member of the RHPS cast: Eric Jones.
John and I did not part on the best of terms. Though they certainly were not the worst either. In the last few years, we regained contact when he began dropping by my booth at WonderCon. He always suggested we get together some time. I always agreed, but never found the time. I always meant to. I missed some of the madness and friendship he brought to my life. And I wanted to tell him this. I wish I had.
John deserved fame. I don't say this casually. He was somebody that, given the correct circumstances, would have risen incredibly far. But those circumstances never quite found him and he never realized his full potential.
I owe a lot to John. He helped me understand how entertainment can be buisness. How to create something from nothing. How to have confidence in my instincts. Without the time we spent working together onRHPS, I probably would not be writing comics now.
I should have told him these things. He deserved to know. But (as is so often the case) I always imagined there was time.
Anyway, if you are reading this and you are a fan of my work, take a moment to thank John Liddle.
May he rest in peace.
i'm really sorry to hear that :( my condolences to you, his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
ReplyDeleteI am only just hearing of his passing. I too was on the same cast during the same time period, working lighting. I have always had fond memories... ah....yes... I also had the privilege? of dating him for a while. Parted as good friends and still hung out long after that. I had always meant to get back in touch and find out how he was doing, but I too, thought I had plenty of time. I will always cherish the memories. He was truly one in a million
ReplyDeletePLEASE tell me someone still reads this!!
DeleteDr John & I kept great company in 2002 and 2003. Distance was the only problem we had.
I don't know why I googled him the other day. I sit here stunned to hear of his death. Maybe our parting wasn't s smooth but the tears still flow.
sarahmptn@aol.com