I decided to go to backstage. The venue was big and the backstage entrance was likely to be hard to find, but I saw a small crowd gathering ahead of the auditorium, which proved to be the way in, and I could go inside relatively easily with the pass. There was a green room where people were chatting and drinking. Although nobody from the DKT/MC5 camp was there, I was intrigued and stayed there for a while observing the people around. There were some guys who obviously looked like contemporary rock stars in the U.K., but it's an area I'm hardly familiar with, so I was cool. Soon, some Arkestra members came in. Old black musicians who I imagined should have played with Sun Ra when he was alive - small and humble figures that have the air of distinguished jazzmen. I wanted to speak to them to say how much I had enjoyed their show, but no, I would only confuse these old men who are quietly drinking. So, I just stand close to them, secretly enjoying their aura.
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What's this cat? One of the beloved pets of the Davis family, Spooky. I met her when I visited their home in L.A. last year. Angela Davis remembered I loved Spooky, so she was kind enough to bring a picture of the cat all the way from L.A. for me. I, too, happened to have brought a gift for Spooky (a cat nip doll) to give to Angela, so we exchanged our gifts at the backstage.
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Wayne and David Thomas: David was willing to have his photo taken with Wayne. Although hidden here, there was an old gentleman sitting beside Wayne. He proved to be none other than Mr. Ronan O'Rahilly, a legendary entrepreneur who founded the pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, and managed the MC5 at one point in the 70's. Mr. O'Rahilly was so kind as to offer me a seat. I sat down, but was too intimidated to even turn the camera toward him. |
| Although the concert was performed in a different manner from what I had expected, it turned out I could enjoy three types of shows, i.e. Sun Ra Arkestra, DKT/MC5, and their collaboration, so I was satisfied. The "Starship" they played that night was a manifestation of a new sphere where the human voice and music instruments could reach. It showed me another music landscape which I wouldn't have had a chance to glimpse at had it not been for this event. In this sense I'm appreciative of DKT/MC5 who gave me the opportunity, and the hard work and efforts of their management who made it happen. On the internet I read some sour reviews of the concert, but each seemed to have its own bias and wasn't evaluating the music itself from a fair standpoint. For example, I simply cannot believe anyone who are into Rock should leave unimpressed with those riffs Wayne laid down that night.
I also know Mrs. Becky Derminer (Tyner) filed yet another lawsuit against the DKT/MC5 camp. Probably she has her own reason to do so, but one thing is clear: As DKT/MC5 continue to perform like this by featuring various guest vocalists, it makes more and more people remember, think of, and mourn for her late beloved husband. With all the wonderful performance of the guest singers, we cannot help feeling how superb vocalist and performer Rob Tyner was, which only makes us come to a conclusion that he is eternal and unbeaten.
There has been certain cacophony over their regrouping and performing together using a band name that includes the name "MC5". Having seen them playing Starship at RFH, it seems to me DKT have left the level of disputing over the justification of DKT/MC5. They are already in outer space. The threesome are here to probe for something beyond what they have done. Apparently, Bob Dylan said this: "Just because you like my stuff doesn't mean I owe you anything."
So, DKT continue their voyage along the Milky Way, undaunted with meteors and alien attacks, and if we receive a disc of new materials sent from them, it would be a blessing.
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