Tracing John Doe's Fingerprints

Ah. We meet again. It would appear that I've caught every one of John Doe's in-stores at Fingerprints of Long Beach since it's so damn close to home. Well, today was no exception. I've known John (founder of Los Angeles punk band X) for close to fifteen years now. I used to sing his version of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" to my daughter as a lullaby (learned from the Knitters debut album). Regardless how much John can punk-out, he can sing a sweet song like few others can. Well, it was only a matter of time (in the mid 90's) that I started bringing my daughter to John's shows... where she would grab his attention and put forth a request for "Silver Wings". One night (ten years ago) at the gone-but-not-forgotten Alligator Lounge in Santa Monica, the John Doe Thing rocked with an extra loud set of songs from his latest CD. With my daughter's head resting on my shoulder as the night grew old, I made my way up to the foot of the stage. John looks down and then signals the rest of the band to exit. He then adjusts his volume... looks into my daughter's eyes... and begins crooning "Silver Wings" as jaws dropped all around us. Samantha lit up, as you might imagine... star struck and all, just like her old man. John later came out and signed a set list for her ("To Samantha, grow up strong, John Doe") as she thanked him. Surprisingly, she was awake for the entire drive home after that.

Well, I guess she left her mark. They've run into each other several times over the years, as have John and I. So, when I approached John today after the autograph line sifted through, the first thing he asks me is, "Hey, how's your daughter doing?" I felt a strange and triumphant, proud feeling inside. I think it was the thrill of knowing that I'd be the one to tell her that he asked.

Beyond that, John asked if I was still working for the same music distribution company, and I asked when that next Knitters record was coming out. I think I got the better answer given my recent unemployment status. Oh well. At least there's a new Knitters record on the way! After taking a couple photos for the blog (thanks, Karen), we parted ways once again. And now, with summer upon us, it looks like my daughter will be staying with me in just a couple weeks. Word has it that X is playing at the O.C. Fair in mid July. I wonder if they've learned up a hard-edged rendtion of "Silver Wings".