I found myself in a used bookstore last week and I picked up a rock trivia book. I just couldn't resist. Rock Stars Do The Dumbest Things by Margaret Moser and Bill Crawford is a great rainy day read.
Robert found it this morning and began reading about John Denver.
According to Moser & Crawford, Denver decided to take acid one day and ride around on his motorcycle (yes, John Denver had a motorcycle). He penned Rocky Mountain High from his experience. That song came out of his experience driving on mountainous land in Aspen, Colorado tripping his balls off.
Of all the crazy behavior I read in that book, I have to admit that I was a little shocked when I read that. Sure, what kind of dum-dum does acid and then rides a motorcycle on a mountain? However, I was more shocked at the calm sound he created. I would have expected more of a harsher, even crisper song. Sure, it depends on what time of the year he decided to take his trip. If it was fall or winter, his saliva and sweat probably would have frozen to his face, I imagine. Sounds like some good inspiration right there.
Hell, even the BeeGees were inspired by nature. They wrote the beginning guitar part of Jive Talkin' from the rhythmic pattern that car tires made crossing a Miami bridge.
But, I suppose we musicians all react separately to our experiences in nature.
Here. Compare for yourself.
John Denver
and here are the BeeGee's version of nature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBw25CrUS-o&feature=related
