A drummer with a shooting range in the basement... WUT? It's a wonder the entire Williams family didn't all go deaf!
As someone who didn't have prior experience in doing that level of research, how did you build up those muscles? Did you simply throw yourself on the librarian's desk and beg for help (my preferred technique in college)? Or did you have to do research on how to research first, before you really started to dig in? I'd be interested to hear more about how you got up to speed on that sometime.
And I agree with the others here: September 2nd can NOT get here fast enough! Thanks so much for stringing us along in the meantime.
A lot of it was just intuitive trial and error. My wife said that writing this book was basically like getting my PhD in biography writing. I did reach out to reporters, librarians, etc. for advice, and did receive a lot of help. Also, joining BIO was a great resource. But it was very fun and I'm dying to do it again!
Absolutely wonderful to see the time travel blog to our Maestros past. I wish I knew these details of flushing, NY. My first ever visit and stay in New York was in Kew Gardens, Queens. I had an idea he grew up in the area but no specifics. My next trip from there was LA.
This is wild. I actually made a trip to Bangor last August - but honestly I was there to do a Stephen King pilgrimage. We actually had whoopie pies in that "Bangin' Whoopie Pies" place in the photo.
This history of geography is very interesting to me. My own rough outline in my mind was "born and in Flushing till something like 15" and then Hollywood...and a brief interlude for military service in Canada...but otherwise 95% of his life in LA.
To me the issue of artistic geography is important...whether you are in Paris in the '20s, or NYC in the 60s. It's a scene wherever you are. And I never really thought too much about it until Goldsmith's Fireworks, where he reflected on his life...and how 100% of it was in Los Angeles. In other words, how art relates to a place, world events, and time is the thing that interests me. People like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith lived for many many decades in a local existence of relative stability...which plays a part in what they ultimately did.
We, too, made a stop at King Manor! I was hoping there might be some connection between King and the Williams family, but he didn't move to Bangor until much later (and he declined my request for an interview)...
I agree that knowing the geography, time period, and social milieu an artist grows up in is very important to understanding them. Growing up during the Great Depression in New York, but very comfortably because of his dad's career, and then being a boy during World War II, etc., all really shaped JW's personality, sense of patriotism, relationship to show business, and so much more.
Just to inform you King no longer lives in the house on West Broadway in Bangor he uswas it for administrative purposes. He actually owns 2 other houses there on either side of the main house. I believe one is and will be a library, the other is currently being remodeled and rumor has it that it willbe used as some type of writers retreat . Steven lives primarily in Fla and summers somewhere near the water in southern Maine. The house here in Bangor he does visit still.
I will be releasing more audio and video here, since I wasn't able to include any of that in the book itself. (That was actually one of the driving reasons for creating this Substack.)
How surreal must have been to visit these places, to in small way and for a few moments be were John Williams spent his early years. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Loved every word of this intimate, delightful account.
A drummer with a shooting range in the basement... WUT? It's a wonder the entire Williams family didn't all go deaf!
As someone who didn't have prior experience in doing that level of research, how did you build up those muscles? Did you simply throw yourself on the librarian's desk and beg for help (my preferred technique in college)? Or did you have to do research on how to research first, before you really started to dig in? I'd be interested to hear more about how you got up to speed on that sometime.
And I agree with the others here: September 2nd can NOT get here fast enough! Thanks so much for stringing us along in the meantime.
A lot of it was just intuitive trial and error. My wife said that writing this book was basically like getting my PhD in biography writing. I did reach out to reporters, librarians, etc. for advice, and did receive a lot of help. Also, joining BIO was a great resource. But it was very fun and I'm dying to do it again!
It doesn't go unnoticed that the driver of the "VADER 66" is also a "SITH" so he may be armed.
Stay safe, Tim!
This is incredible. I cannot wait for more!
Absolutely wonderful to see the time travel blog to our Maestros past. I wish I knew these details of flushing, NY. My first ever visit and stay in New York was in Kew Gardens, Queens. I had an idea he grew up in the area but no specifics. My next trip from there was LA.
These are wonderful reminiscences, Tim. Thanks so much for sharing. I am *really* looking forward to reading your book!
This is wild. I actually made a trip to Bangor last August - but honestly I was there to do a Stephen King pilgrimage. We actually had whoopie pies in that "Bangin' Whoopie Pies" place in the photo.
This history of geography is very interesting to me. My own rough outline in my mind was "born and in Flushing till something like 15" and then Hollywood...and a brief interlude for military service in Canada...but otherwise 95% of his life in LA.
To me the issue of artistic geography is important...whether you are in Paris in the '20s, or NYC in the 60s. It's a scene wherever you are. And I never really thought too much about it until Goldsmith's Fireworks, where he reflected on his life...and how 100% of it was in Los Angeles. In other words, how art relates to a place, world events, and time is the thing that interests me. People like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith lived for many many decades in a local existence of relative stability...which plays a part in what they ultimately did.
We, too, made a stop at King Manor! I was hoping there might be some connection between King and the Williams family, but he didn't move to Bangor until much later (and he declined my request for an interview)...
I agree that knowing the geography, time period, and social milieu an artist grows up in is very important to understanding them. Growing up during the Great Depression in New York, but very comfortably because of his dad's career, and then being a boy during World War II, etc., all really shaped JW's personality, sense of patriotism, relationship to show business, and so much more.
Just to inform you King no longer lives in the house on West Broadway in Bangor he uswas it for administrative purposes. He actually owns 2 other houses there on either side of the main house. I believe one is and will be a library, the other is currently being remodeled and rumor has it that it willbe used as some type of writers retreat . Steven lives primarily in Fla and summers somewhere near the water in southern Maine. The house here in Bangor he does visit still.
Yeah, I got the very strong sense no one was home!
Likely true
(no one's giving me a book contract)
- This is awesome, awesome, awesome
- It's my top reason for opening email on Tuesdays
- identified Mr. Williams correctly in the first picture!
- Surely the realtor has realised his ask was too low?
- Will you be releasing more video footage on the book webpage/website?
- I'd absolutely love to know about the books Mr. Williams shared with you
Thank you!!
Thank you! That's so nice.
I will be releasing more audio and video here, since I wasn't able to include any of that in the book itself. (That was actually one of the driving reasons for creating this Substack.)
And stay tuned about those books…
How surreal must have been to visit these places, to in small way and for a few moments be were John Williams spent his early years. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I love "touching history," especially history that has deep meaning for me. So yes, this was all extremely special!