LAist Interview: David Wild, Author of New Neil Diamond Book
David Wild is one of those people who has the dream job that he imagined when he was a kid. His childhood was spent worshiping rock music and he grew up to find himself interviewing his icons and writing about their work.
His new book, "He Is . . . I Say: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neil Diamond" salutes Mr. Coming to America with a part tribute part personal memoir. On Wednesday night David Wild will be at Book Soup to read from "He Is...I Say", talk about his career as a music journalist, and sign copies of his book. LAist asked David Wild about interviewing musicians, writing for award shows, and his obsession with the Jewish Elvis.
LAist: Where did the idea for writing "He Is...I Say" come from?
David Wild: In the beginning, this book idea came from God . . . or from my book agent. Somehow I always get those two confused -- which one is it that doesn’t charge me? Actually, the idea was born out of my profound love of Neil and the fiscal fun times of tail end of the WGA strike, and an overwhelming desire to find some way to spend a few weeks listening to Neil Diamond CDs for fun and profit. Judd Apatow, by the way, best expresses the idea in a blurb on the back of the book, "He Is. . . I Say is really a book about two people who I really love – Neil Diamond and myself."
More specifically, the idea came after Team Diamond and a great guy named David Gorman asked me to write some liner notes for some Neil re-issues. I quite happily wrote 6000 words about Neil in less than a week. Then on the seventh day -- when I should have rested -- I woke up and wrote another couple thousand words just for pleasure, about the night Neil Diamond made my mother happy – in a nice and entirely wholesome way. Those words became the opening chapter and the entire basis for this book. So blame my mother -- I know I do.
David Wild, right, and his family meet Neil Diamond backstage.
After growing up listening to Neil Diamond with your family, you went on to interview him for Rolling Stone, write liners notes for his anthologies, and produce a Behind the Music episode about him. Could you ever have imagined all of this when you were a kid sitting at your house playing Neil Diamond records?
Yes, the funny thing is that I really did imagine at least some of it -- although frankly in my dream I was always much taller and better looking. I specifically dreamed of writing for Rolling Stone ever since I turned thirteen. I had pictures of all my chosen rock gods on the kids’ table of my Bar Mitzvah – a lovely affair in the Garden State -- and I very much planned on getting to meet all of those musical heroes. The funny part is actually succeeded -- except tragically for John Lennon, who I still got to write a TV tribute to and work through my worship of everything he ever did.
What is you favorite Neil Diamond song?
It changes every day, but here’s today’s Top Ten: “Solitary Man,” “Brooklyn Roads,” “Walk On Water,” “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind,” “Play Me,” “I’ve Been This Way Before,” “If You Know What I Mean,” “Dry Your Eyes,” “If There Were No Dreams,” “Oh Mary” and “Don’t Go There.” Okay, so that’s eleven, but I couldn’t cut any. You could ask me again tomorrow and they would be different -- but please don’t ask. I’m a very busy Diamondhead.
Do you play Neil Diamond music at your house now with your wife and kids?
Yes, when I can get a song in edgewise. I discovered Neil’s music -- and music in general, as it turned out -- because of my mother playing his 8-track tapes during carpools. What great songs! What crappy audio fidelity! It’s still great music to be play in carpools -- only now I’m listening to Neil in the front seat and I’m paying for the gas.
What is it about Neil Diamond that makes people feel so emotional?
Neil’s music is unabashedly from the heart, and brings you into an irony-free zone where macho men bare with great clothes express their deep feelings directly in words and music. Women in particular seem to respond to this sort of thing, but it apparently really helps if you have Neil’s hair.
How do you think Neil Diamond became such an icon especially to Jewish people in America?
We Jews like to be on a winning team. As I always say he’s the Jewish Elvis. He’s charismatic. He’s sexy, but he also planned significantly better for the future. I’d also say that Neil is the Jewish Bob Dylan, but I think Bob Dylan is already the Jewish Dylan.
You have interviewed countless rock stars for Rolling Stone and other publications. What was strangest thing that ever happened during an interview?
I’m saving some of those stories for another book, but for free right now, I’d say getting into arguments with heroes of mine like Neil or Paul McCartney or Elvis Costello about some small trivia in their early life – for the record, I was always right. My heroes all had a good excuse for being wrong: it turns out they were busy living their lives. Also there was the time that I had to chase the great Van Morrison through Harvard Square after he fled our interview on foot. For the record, Van the Man is a better singer, but I’m slightly faster.
You also write for several award shows including the CMA's this week. How does the award show experience compare with your more in depth journalism background? Did you get to hang out with Sugarland at the CMA's?
Writing for TV is a different muscle, and it’s perhaps the only developed muscle that I currently have. It also requires me to write for other people’s voices -- which I love doing because other people have that extra virtue of not being me. Writing the CMAs is a blast, especially this year because my hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were fantastic to work with on it. I LOVE Sugarland, and I did get to express those feelings to Jennifer briefly. It’s funny some people think I’m a rock critic. Some think I’m a TV writer. The vast majority of people are blessed not to think of me at all. I don’t tend to compare the journalism and the TV work too much because I like doing it all, usually at the same time. I think of it as a kind of literary crop rotation. Also, during a Great Depression, I really like to get paid – just asks my agent at CAA or my wife who is also my business manager.
You have also written books about the TV shows Friends and Seinfeld. Do you have a new show book in the works, maybe Battlestar Gallactica?
No, I really want to do a book about a comedy next – maybe a Hannity & Colmes.
Now a few questions about LA:
What is you favorite venue to see a concert in Los Angeles?
McCabe’s or The Hotel Café for intimacy. Hollywood Bow l or the Greek for the history – certainly not for parking.
Favorite place to eat breakfast?
For a special event, my beautiful wife Fran and I like to go with the kids to the Griddle, and wistfully watch the boys eat pancakes. Oour other morning favorite is Good Neighbor.
Favorite place to interview a musician?
At their house, at night when they are at their most comfortable -- or on a tour bus late night during a long leg of a tour. But really any place with indoor plumbing is okay with me.
Favorite place to visit in LA?
A movie at the Arclight followed by hours at Amoeba. Also anywhere by the beach, although it’s harder to find Neil Diamond albums on in the sand.
What is the LA place or landmark that is no longer around that you miss the most?
Tower Records. Growing up, I read in Rolling Stone about Elton John buying albums with a shopping cart in Los Angeles. That’s why I'm here. That said, I recently found a fantastic record store that’s still open on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks called Freakbeat Records. Go there please. Buys things. Tell them David Wild sent you, and maybe I’ll get a discount.
Do you play an instrument or sing?
I play only the fool, but I sing the body electric.
Are you bringing any rock stars with you to your book signing at Book Soup on Wednesday?
Actually there’s one who I invited, but you know how those rock stars are – suffice to say, I’ve been thrown aside for a super model before.
On Wednesday, November 19th at 7pm at Book Soup, you can meet David Wild, ask him everything you ever wanted to know about Neil Diamond, writing about music, and if he will share any more rock star secrets.