Histories,
like ancient ruins,
are the fictions of empires.
While everything forgotten
hangs in dark dreams of the past,
ever threatening to return.
Lord'n heaven!
Madame Wilde! Richard! Come quickly!
I want to be a tailor.
I want to be a farmer.
I want to be a barrister.
I want to be a truck-driver.
I want to be... a pop-idol.
Get him, get him!
Leave him!
Childhood,
adults always say,
is the happiest time in life.
But as long as he could remember,
Jack Fairy knew better.
Until one mysterious day,
when Jack would discover
that somewhere there were others
quite like him.
Singled out for a great gift.
And one day
the whole stinking world
would be theirs.
Those who know
They don't let it show
They just give you one long life
And you go, oh oh, oh oh
Goes to show
How winds blow
The weather's fine
And I feel so so so
Birds of prey
With too much to say
Oh what could be my destiny
Another rainy day
Why ask why
For by the by and by
All mysteries are just more
Needles in the camel's eye
Look! It's Jack Fairy.
Who's Jack Fairy?
Those who know
They don't let it show
They just give you one long life
And you go, oh oh, oh oh
Why ask why
For by the by and by
All mysteries are just more
Needles in the camel's eye
The streets of London are ablaze
in sparkle make-up and glittering frocks
as the boys and girls
of the current glam-rock craze
pay tribute to their patron saint
Pop-star Brian Slade
and his space-age rock persona
Maxwell Demon.
Yeah, Brian Slade,
he's just so different.
I mean, I've never seen anyone quite like him.
And 'Lipstick Traces', his last album was just...
it was just something special.
It's an album that's like,
appealing to so many people like that.
A palpable whirl of anticipation
can be felt outside London's Lyceum Theatre
as fans await
the final show on Slade's smash world tour.
Security around the performer is tightened
following a recent BBC interview
in which he admitted to
premonitions of being assassinated on stage.
Turn it off!
...hasn't detain any of
his enthusiastic and colorful followers,
some of whom have been queuing here since late last night.
Brian, the time!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
The Lyceum Theatre.
In cooperation with "Bijou Music"
is proud to present
straight back from their fantastically successful European tour
Maxwell Demon and The Venus in Furs!
Put out the torches!
Hide the moon!
Hide the stars!
For once, there was an unknown land
full of strange flowers
and subtle perfumes.
A land of which it is joy of all the joys to dream.
A land where all things are perfect.
And poisonous.
Well, you're the grand one
Have you noticed
When you walk in all the fairy boys are very nervous
Well, my starship doesn't want me
And neither does his world
I'm glad I caught you on my view screen, sailor
It appears today's youngsters
You're the grand one
have fashioned a whole new bent
on the so-called sexual liberation of the flower-power set.
'Cause this wooing is what I'm wanting
The long hair and the love-beads
have given way to glitter make-up, platform shoes
and a whole new taste for glamour, nostalgia
When my spacesuit comes to warm me
and just plain outrageousness.
Is London not shocked?
And hold me like a god
London is improving.
Well, I think it's a disgrace.
I am the captain of the gravity, Maxwell
Parading around all ponced-up
like a pack of bleeding woofters.
Bloody hell! What will they think of next?
Everywhere I see your faces
Hot one
And heading up this flash stampede
is none other that pop-giant Brian Slade
From a starship over Venus to the Sun
whose stylish escapades have paved the way
for a whole new breed of performing artists,
But it's a crime
You're mistaken
from Curt Wild and The Flaming Creatures
Momentary seizure of love, oh love
to Jack Fairy and Polly Small.
Thanks to Slade,
today's youngsters are singing a whole new tune.
So, you're saying you're bisexual?
Yeah. I like boys, I like girls.
They are all great. No difference, is there?
Mr. BBC
Rock music has always been a reaction to accepted standards.
And homosexuality has been going on for centuries, yeah.
But darling, I'm a mess
At the moment, having a gay image is an 'in' thing.
I've got human minds we can form
You know, just like a few years ago
But the boys are not impressed
it was trendy to wear
a long grey coat
When my spacesuit comes to warm me
with a Led Zeppelin record under your arm.
Everyone is into this scene,
because it is supposedly the thing to do right now.
I'll be the captain of the gravity, Maxwell
But you just can't fake being gay, you know.
If you're gonna claim that you're gay,
you're gonna have to make love in gay-style
I see your faces in the strangest places
most of these kids just aren't gonna make it.
Hot one
That line - 'Everyone's bisexual'
it's a very popular thing to say right now.
But personally I think it's meaningless.
But it's a crime
You're mistaken
Momentary seizure of love
Oh love
I knew I should create a sensation,
gasped the Rocket.
And he went out.
Ok, Lionel. That's it. Thanks.
I don't get it.
What don't you get?
It was a stunt.
The guy faked his own murder.
Yeah, but why?
Publicity.
Arthur, any recollection?
Of what?
Of this Slade fellow.
Well, he's an early 70s
glam-rock singer.
Told you we could count on
Mr. Old Time Rock'n'Roll.
Yeah.
Count on me for what?
I thought I was on the Reynolds' trip.
Well you are.
But the president isn't due until the 8th.
And I need a piece for the weekend now.
Great.
Look.
Next week is the 10th year anniversary
of the whole shooting stunt incident.
I'd like you to find out what happened,
where he is today.
What ever happened to Brian Slade?
Ok?
Yeah, and naturally you want me for this,
because I'm the resident Brit. Right?
Nah. No, no, no.
I want you, because you remember.
President Reynolds is urging young people everywhere
to sign up in their local government offices
and join the committee...
Because I remember.
Suddenly I was being paid to remember all the things
that money, the future and the serious life
had made so certain I'd forget.
And for what?
Some meaningless prank, a decade old.
Why was is suddenly up to me to figure it out?
Clearly there was something.
Something from the past,
spooking me back.
I didn't realise at the time...
It was you.
Thank you "Trans-Electric" and "CRA"
Micro Atlanta and "Dupree" for their generous support.
Thanks to president Reynolds' Committee for Cultural Renewal
for making this brodcast possible.
And thanks to you,
three billion viewers
tuning in right now on global satellite.
Yesterday upon the stair,
I saw a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
How I wish he'd go away.
Ten years.
Ten years and the world had changed so completely
that the life I'd led in England
seemed like someone else's life.
Someone else's story.
Anyone's but mine.
There were times, when it appeared to Dorian Gray
that the whole of history was merely a record of his own life.
Not as he had lived it in act and circumstance
but as his imagination had created it for him
as it had been in his brain and in his passions.
He felt that he had known them all.
Those strange terrible figures
that had passed along the stage of life
and made sin so marvelous
and evil so full of subtlety.
It seemed that in some mysterious way
their lives had been his own.
I won't laugh at you
When you boo hoo hoo
Coz I luv you
I can't turn my back
On the things you like
Coz I luv you
I just like the things you do
Don't you change the things you do
You get me in a spot
That's all the smile you got
When I luv you
You make me out of cloud
And you put me down
I still luv you
Can you lend me a couple of quid? I've got money at home.
You must be mental.
Oh please, I swear I've got it.
Piss off!
Thanks!
- What's it for? - Nothing.
Give it here then. Let's have a look.
Bloody Nora!
Our kid's one of them pansy rockers.
- He's a fucking puff, that one. - No, he's not.
That's naff.
You're disgusting.
You know that?
Well, you're the grand one
Have you noticed
When you walk in all the fairy boys are very nervous
Well, my starship doesn't want me
And neither does his world
I'm glad I caught you on my view screen, sailor
You're the grand one
Come and court me
'Cause this wooing is what I'm wanting
When my spacesuit comes to warm me
And hold me like a god
I'm just going out for a bit.
I am the captain of the gravity, Maxwell
Everywhere I see your faces
Hot one
From a starship over Venus to the Sun
But it's a crime
You're mistaken
Momentary seizure of love
Oh love
Well, you're the grand one
Have you noticed
Today in London officials confirmed
that the shooting on the 5th of February of singer Brian Slade
at London's Lyceum Theatre
was a publicity stunt
mounted by the singer's company Bijou Music Limited.
Manager Jerry Devine announced today
that his company meant no harm in their escapades,
that it was intended solely as entertainment.
Very unfortunate,
very sad and unfortunate that
in this day and age
an artist's quest for artistic freedom
should cost him his career.
Warum, denken Sie?
Why do you think?
I dunno.
I dunno. It got too big, I guess.
Too... got too schizoid, you know.
I mean...
he thought he fucking was Maxwell Demon in the end,
you know?
And Maxwell Demon,
he thought he was God.
But if it all works out nicely
You'll get the bonus you deserve
From doctors we trust
The Fat Lady of Limbourg
Looked at the samples that we sent
And furrowed her brow
Brian Slade?
You would never believe that
Oh yes.
Quite well.
Once upon a time.
So...?
Yeah?
So, what was he...
what was he... like?
Who's that? Brian?
Yeah.
Like nothing I'd ever seen before.
And in the end...
like nothing he appeared.
He was... elegance,
walking arm in arm with lie.
His real name, in fact, was Thomas.
And his father owned a small tiling business
in suburban Birmingham.
But Brian never cared much for the suburbs.
And as a young boy,
he had the rare fortune
of spending a summer in London
with his aunt,
a figure of some ill repute in the Slade family,
after she married a cockney in the entertainment field
and followed him off to Deptford.
I never was a one to go and stint myself.
If I like a thing, I like it, that's enough.
But there's lots of people say,
that if you like a thing a lot, it'll grow on you
and all that sort of stuff
Oh, I always hold in having it if you fancy it
If you fancy it,
that's understood.
And suppose it makes you fat?
I don't worry over that.
'Cause a little of what you fancy does you good.
Brian's tender introduction
to the theatrical underworld,
would leave a dramatic impression.
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom
Tutti Frutti
Oh Rutti
Tutti Frutti
Oh Rutti
Tutti Frutti, oh goo lop bam
Tutti Frutti
Oh Rutti
Tutti Frutti
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom
So what are you? A mod or a rocker?
Six of one, half a dozen of the other, really.
Taking their cue from Little Richard,
the swank London mods
short for modernists
were the first to wear mascara and lacquer their hair,
the first true dandies of pop
and known to just about any indiscretion,
where a good suit was involved.
Cry at night
No one in sight
An'we got so much to share
Talking's fine
If you got the time
All right, lads?
Do you wanna touch yeah
Do you wanna touch me there where
Do you wanna touch yeah
Do you wanna touch me there where
Style... always wins out in the end.
Cheers!
For Brian,
the mods were a glamorous call to arms.
Or at least to London, where three years later...
at the Sombrero Club in Kensington,
I would hear him sing for the very first time.
Everything, it seemed, started at the Sombrero.
No club in London had more notorious sway.
And there, at the centre of it
was Brian's American wife, Mandy...
who's dramatic transformation to London party girl
was a constant source of amusement to us all.
You all know me. Subtlety is my middle name.
It's as subtle as the piece of skin
between my vagina and my anus? Oh La La!
Now what's is that called,
does anyone remember what that's called?
No man's land! Oh gosh, my geesh, darling!
Now, ladies of and gentlemen, boys and girls.
And whomever else who may be in the house this evening.
It is my supreme pleasure
to introduce all you lovely little minxes here tonight
to the Sombrero Club's prettiest star
and my most shimmering hubby!
I give you Brian Slade!
Oh I was moved by your screen dream
Celluloid pictures living
Your death could not kill our love for you
Take two people romantic
Smoky nightclub situation
Your cigarette traces a ladder
Here's looking at you kid
Celebrate years
Here's looking at you kid
Wipe away tears
Long time
Since we're together
Now I hope it's forever
Fuck. The mistress boner.
Mmm, partly a lonely pervert.
Tart. My dear. He's a tarting guilty clubber.
#NAME?
- But not that scruffy, as I last recall. - Ooh, you're wicked.
He won't be back tonight.
So, I introduced myself,
told him I was developing my own management company
and on the look-out for new talent.
He introduced me to his wife, asked me what sign I was
and before the week was out, we were signing contracts.
You see, Brian believed in the future.
He despised the hypocrisy of the "Peace and love" Generation
and felt his music spoke
far more to its orphans and its outcasts.
His revolution, he used to say,
will be a sexual one.
But in 1970, rock audiences bred on
Credence Clearwater and the Beatles
were not entirely sure
what to make of this particular brand of revolt.
Radiate simply
The candle is burning
So low for me
Generate me limply
Somehow he got it into his head
that he had to perform in a frock.
Don't ask me why.
I mean, I thought it was a bit naughty,
a bit of a giggle, but...
Somebody called me Sebastian
Who's this geezer, then?
Some shirt-lifter from Birmingham.
Work out a rhyme
Toss me the time
Lay me you're mine
And we all know oh yeah
Get the fuck off! Cut the shite!
- Bugger off, you woofter! - Fuck off!
Your Persian eyes sparkle
Your lips ruby blue
- Darling? Darling, you were fabulous! - Well done.
Every bit! I was beaming, truly, like someone's mum.
God. They adored you! Honestly. The whole lot - transported!
Transported!? We went down like a fucking knackered lift!
Brian, I tell you, I think it's simply a matter of presentation.
#NAME?
What happened to Judy Garland!?
What happened to all your bloody torch song rubbish!?
I know, I know, in a cabaret,
but in the context of a rock show,
I can see now, it's just a little bit more dodgy.
But the act was there, wasn't it?
The act was there. Just a...
Brian!
Lead singer and founder
of the greatest garage band know to mankind
Curt Wild!
Curt Wild
See that cat
Yeah I do mean you
See that cat
Yeah I do mean you
She got T.V. Eye on me
She got T.V. Eye
She got T.V. Eye on me
Curt Wild,
founder of the influential garage band The Rats,
came from the aluminium trailer parks of Michigan
where rock folklore claims far more primitive origins.
She's out there
She got T.V. Eye on me
She got T.V. Eye
She got T.V. Eye on me
See that cat
Yeah I love her so
See that cat
Well I love her so
She got T.V. Eye on me
She got T.V. Eye
She got T.V. Eye on me
According to legend, when Curt was 13,
he was discovered by his mother in the family loo
servicing his older brother,
and promptly shipped off
for 18 months of electric shock treatment.
The doctors guaranteed
the treatment would fry the fairy clean out of him.
But all it did was make him bonkers
every time he heard electric guitar.
They despised him.
Yeah.
But when you're abused like that,
you know you've touched the stars.
I know. I just...
I just wish it'd been me.
Wish I'd thought of it.
You will, luv.
You will.
Got tired of wastin' gas
Living above the planets
Mister show me the way to earth
The boys of Quadrant 44
With their vicious metal hounds
Never come round here no more
Sometimes I wonder if I'm still alive
I'm six feet down at age 25
Maxwell's led the demon rock hand jive
I came down like water
For the age of solar love
And hail to the father
Kiss your sons and your daughters
Goodbye goodbye
Steam scared and roller
Ladytron controller
Ten feet tall better walk it back down
I came down like water
For the age of solar love
And hail to the father
Kiss your sons and your daughters
Goodbye goodbye
I came down like water
For the age of solar love
Ten feet tall better walk it back down
#NAME?
Devine. Jerry Devine.
Personal management. I'm interested.
Oh, well, thank you, but I already have management.
He's...
Not in my opinion.
The truth is you have talent. That's obvious.
But it doesn't really matter much what a man does in his life.
What matters is the legend that grows up around him.
Today, you're a talented singer.
That's all right.
I can make you a star.
And just how do you propose to do that?
I will tell you, sir,
when you pin me.
I've never in all my life...
May the best man win.
We'll take the whole shebang
All or nothing anything
Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang
We'll take the whole shebang
Earlier tonight,
on the popular chart show 'Top of the Pops',
newcomer Brian Slade
performed his hit single 'The Whole Shebang',
dressed in platform boots and wearing glitter eye make-up.
A spokesman for the show,
known for showcasing pop's brightest stars,
says they've been deluged with calls all evening.
The next day every schoolgirl in London
was wearing glitter eye make-up.
And I was out of a bleeding job.
And that, as they say, was that.
I would not hear another word from Brian,
or any of them for that matter, ever again.
Have you got any idea what ultimately happened to him?
I mean, where is he today?
Last I heard he'd returned to Birmingham, but...
this was three years ago? Four?
No, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you there.
- Looks as though it may be unavoidable. - What's that?
The ex, I'm afraid.
But then every story needs a contrary opinion,
and with Mandy
you're guaranteed excesses of both.
Miss Slade?
Yeah?
I'm Arthur Stuart, from the Herald.
We spoke on the phone.
Anyway, I've just got a few questions I wanted to ask.
It shouldn't take too long.
Do you mind if I sit down?
It's a free country. Sort of.
So, what are you having?
Scotch. Rocks.
Yeah, make that two.
Gee. You must be after some damn exclusive copy.
Well, it's a piece on Brian Slade.
You're not kidding.
#NAME?
Well it's been, ten years since the whole...
fake shooting incident.
Oh, and what a fake it was.
Tricking us all in the end with such an authentic demise.
His career, you mean?
I mean, have you got any idea
what happened to him or where he is today?
Can't you just, run him through the files? Punch in the name?
No, not exactly.
Because, honestly darling,
I haven't spoken with Mr Slade
in seven years, at least.
Seven years? Wow.
Wow. Yeah. At least. Smoke?
No thanks.
No, right after everything crashed, we... we split.
And Brian, he just became someone else.
But again, he always was.
That's 10 bob to you, mate.
It was New Year's Eve 1969, the start of a new decade,
and everywhere you went there was this sense of the future,
the feeling in the air that anything was possible.
See, Jack Fairy had also come to London
in the swinging sixties.
And in crowded clubs or hotel bars,
this shipwreck of the streets
rehearsed his future glory.
A cigarette tracing a ladder to the stars.
Maricon, bisexuelle, sexe douteux.
Le Vice Anglais.
I needn't mention
how essential dreaming is
to the character of the rock star.
Jack, darling!
Jack was truly the first of his kind.
A true original. Everybody stole from Jack.
But from the moment Brian Slade stepped into our lives,
nothing would ever be the same.
It was his nature.
You got me girl on the run around run around
You got me all around town
You got me girl on the run around
And it's getting me down getting me down
Lady
If you want to find a lover
Then you look no further
'Cause I'm gonna be your only
Searching
At the start of the season
And my only reason
Is that I'll get to you
Do you jive?
I'll find some
Way of connection
Hiding my intention
Then I'll move up close to you
I'll use you
And I'll confuse you
And the I'll lose you
But still you won't suspect me
So... I married him.
I was dancing when I was twelve
Times,
places, people...
They're all speeding up.
So to cope with this evolutionary paranoia,
strange people are chosen,
who, through their art,
can move progress more quickly.
It was the most stimulating
and reflective period of our marriage.
Is it strange to dance so late
We are the boys and we are a class act
Thank you and welcome,
pop pickers, to 'Pick of the Pops'.
I'm Davy Rocket
and we have a very special show for you today,
dedicated to one of pop's blazing new talents,
and one who's been holding a virtual reign over
the British charts
for a startling record breaking 18-month span.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I give you the incomparable Brian Slade.
Or should I say... Maxwell Demon.
We are the boys
The bloke at the front.
Brian, why the make-up?
Why? Because rock and roll's a prostitute!
It should be tarted up! Performed!
The music is the mask, while I,
in my chiffon and taff, well, varda the message.
Brian, Brian!
Bloke in the suit there.
What about your fans?
Aren't they likely to get the... the wrong impression?
And which wrong impression is that?
Well, you're a blinking fruit!
Well thank you, sir,
and no, it doesn't concern me in the least.
I should think that
if people were to get that impression of me
the one to which you so eloquently refer,
it wouldn't be a wrong impression in the slightest.
That is me, that's me, dad, that's me!
I mean, everybody knows most people are bisexual.
Any more questions?
Yeah, woman with the beret.
I was under the impression
that you were married and living North London...
I am married. Quite happily, in fact.
I just happen to like boys as much as I like girls.
And seeing as my wife feels pretty much the same
about such things.
I should think
we've been able to make a fairly decent go of it so far.
Alright, any more questions? Okay, thank you very much.
For the first time in Brian's life,
he was simply telling it like it was.
Did he realize what he'd actually done?
How could he have?
I mean today, there'd be fighting in the streets.
But in 1972, it was more like dancing.
That man, sitting over there in the white suit
is the biggest thing
to come out of this country since sliced Beatles.
Outside this country, no one knows who the hell he is.
You people, you're gonna change all that.
You guys, you're the actors.
It's up to you to change Brian Slade, pop singer,
into Maxwell Demon,
space-age fucking superstar!
Nothing fantastic about it. Why?
Because the secret of becoming a star
is knowing how to behave like one.
- Hey kids, let's put on a show! - Precisely.
Action!
Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut! Sort him out!
Bijou Music Associates. Good afternoon.
#NAME?
Bijou. Hello.
Yes. You're through the reception. What can I help you?
Oh, darling, I'm the biggest thing to hit the rocket
since the pilgrim.
#NAME?
I know it's unprecedented, I know it's unorthodox, but sir,
if you want Brian Slade,
those are the terms.
You may take them or leave them.
- Yes? -I'm Shannon Hazelbourne.
#NAME?
Oh, the position. Fine. Brilliant. Follow me!
Hurray! Zounds!
Now, Shannon,
I realize of course your talents lie within the clerical art
but I was wondering by chance
if you had any experience with wardrobe?
No, never.
Fantastic. I think that's everything.
No, I said I didn't.
Everybody!
I'd like to introduce you
to our lovely new Wardrobe Mistress.
What's your name?
- Shannon. - Shannon. Welcome Shannon!
Excellent! Yes, Mr Weinberg!
Thank you very much indeed, sir. Cheers!
- Extraordinary! - What Jerry? What?
So tell me, Master Demon,
who would you most fancy meeting in America?
Ah, bravo! Jerry! Garbo, Brian, please!
#NAME?
- Very sorry chickee. He's dead. - Jerry said anyone.
Brian? Who?
Curt Wild. I want to meet Curt Wild.
And meet Curt Wild we did.
Well we can't take it this week
And her friends don't want another speech
Hoping for a better day
To hear what she's got to say
All about that
Personality crisis
You got it while it was hot
But now frustration
And heartache is what you got
That's why they talk about personality
But now your tryin to be some
No you got to do some
Wanna be someone
Who cow wow wows
But you think about the times you did
They took every ounce
When it sure got to be a shame
When you start to scream and shout
#NAME?
I'm Rodney from Electra.
I have Brian Slade here
from England who just wanted to pop over, say hello.
I just wanted to say
I think your music is tops.
Really, smashing. Best of the lot.
Smashing... top of...
jolly... shit.
Sorry, darling.
Now at that time,
Curt Wild was between management
and Brian knew this,
of course, and urged Devine to pursue the situation.
And so if, in that probability, an interest arose
in which Brian would serve on some projects,
possibly, though not exclusively,
as we're taking our lead from you here, Curt,
possibly as producer on that project.
How might that scenario, purely hypothetically...
how might that scenario appeal to you at this juncture?
What Jerry's trying to say is
do you want to come to London to cut a record?
Oh, yeah. Cool.
Very good!
But how can we help you?
You must tell us. What do you need?
Everything.
See, heroin was my mainman.
But now I'm on the methadone and I'm getting my act together.
You come here and say you wanna help
and I say, hey, far out.
You could be my mainman.
It was pretty clear what was happening. It happens every day.
But for the world to think it was happening, well,
that was Jerry's particular genius.
Right away he started promoting the two of them
like a pair of 40s starlets on the swoon.
A Tracy and Hepburn for the 70s.
Oh satellite of love
Ah satellite of love
Oo... satellite of love
Satellite
Satellites gone
Way up to Mars
Soon it will be filled
With parking cars
I watched it for a little while
I love to watch things on TV
Ooo... ahh... satellite of love
Ha... satellite of love
Satellite of love
Satellite
I've been told that you've been bold
With Harry, Mark, and John
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
With Harry, Mark, and John
If I could have grown
All upon my own
If I could have grown I grew
If I could have grew I do
If I had a throne
My career was on the skids, mate.
And you fished me out of the muck.
You got me back on my feet, you did.
It was nothing, chum.
I wanted to help you
make more of that far out sound.
I love your music, my son, and I love...
You don't have to say it, mate.
At last the crimson chord cascade
To shower dry cordials within
Too late to leap the chocolate gate
Pale fountains fizzing forth pink gin
While destiny begins to fly
The farmyard chorus sings it's wake
Upstanding anthem to the sky
Too soon to realise their fate
Every great century that produces art is,
so far, an artificial century.
And the work that seems
the most natural and simple of its time,
is always the result of the most self-conscious effort.
I am not really myself
except in the midst of elegant crowds
at the heart of rich districts
or amid the sumptuous ornamentation of palace hotels,
an army of servants and a plush carpet underfoot.
What is true about music is true about life
that beauty reveals everything
because it expresses nothing.
The first duty in life is to assume a post.
What the second duty is
no one has yet found out.
The Aesthete Gives Characteristically
Cynical Evidence
Replete with Pointed Epigram and Startling Paradox
while Explaining His Views on Morality in Art.
Brian, Brian!
Maxwell Demon is the story of a space creature,
who becomes a rock and roll messiah
only to be destroyed by his own success.
Are you saying this is your destiny?
Are you Maxwell Demon?
Man is least himself, when he talks in his own person!
Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth!
Brian! Brian!
Is it your belief that all dandies are homosexual?
Ha! Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner!
Hey! Coming through! Coming through!
Hey guys. Watch out! Excuse me!
Coming through. Careful now! There you go.
Tell us Brian!
Are the rumours true that say you
and Curt Wild have some sort of plans up your sleeve?
Oh, yes! Quite soon we actually plan to take over the world.
Excuse me, fellas,
while I raise a glass to the loveliest man in Europe!
And they tell you it's not natural!
The world is changed because you are made of ivory and gold.
The curves of your lips rewrite history.
Baby's on fire
Better throw her in the water
Look at her laughing
Like a heifer to the slaughter
Baby's on fire
And all the laughing boys are bitching
Waiting for photos
Oh the plot is so bewitching
Rescuers row row
Do your best to change the subject
Blow the wind blow blow
Lend some assistance to the object
Photographers snip snap
Take your time she's only burning
This kind of experience
Is necessary for her learning
If you'll be my flotsam
I could be half the man I used to
They said you were hot stuff
And that's what baby's been reduced to
This is too much!
Jim! What are you gonna do? Jim!
Ah, my God.
Could you conceivably turn down that blasted...
Arthur! Arthur, open this door!
You bring shame to this house.
You bring shame to your mother and me.
It's a shameful, filthy thing you're doing.
Do you hear me?
Stand up!
It's funny how beautiful people look
when they're walking out the door.
Really Shannon, it's no problem, honestly.
I'm not fussed about it, I'm quite open about it.
I was having a fabulous time last night myself.
Really luv.
You shouldn't let it upset you so. Brian is a grown man
and fully capable of shagging whatever he fancies
and exceedingly partial to the practice.
Now, just because someone sees, you know,
two naked people asleep in bed together
it doesn't necessarily prove sex was involved.
It does, however, make for a very strong case.
But you're a sweet, sensitive darling
to be so broken up about it.
Brian would be absolutely chuffed
to know that you...
Don't you ever dare tell Brian!
Swear to me you'll never say a word. Ever.
I swear.
Jesus!
Sudden change in plans. Brief holiday, much needed.
Back by Hammersmith.
B.
That was it.
And I knew my time
with Brian, for a practical or perhaps is, was
up.
Look I'm sorry. I wish I could help you more.
You seem like a nice guy. I just...
don't think I have what you're looking for.
See... I think you do actually.
Oh yeah? And what makes you think so?
Well that smile, for one thing.
Well, smiles lie.
Exactly.
Listen. Once, of course,
it was a gorgeous gorgeous time.
We were all living our dreams.
But you see all that went away.
All of it.
With Curt.
And not even the real Curt.
I mean, it was this idea of Curt more than anything.
This image, which, of course,
nobody could ever possibly live up to.
I mean Maxwell Demon, Curt Wild.
They were fictions!
Somewhere along the way,
Brian seemed to get lost in the lie.
Won't you come with me
To a place that's real
Come and take my hand
And will find a thrill
Can't you see?
I wanna tear it down
Come with me
I wanna kick it all around
- Shit! - Cut it.
Should I stop it?
Tell me what you need
I wanna be your unclean
Give me anything
I wanna be your dream
He's gonna hit the bridge a half-verse early.
Now you're simply wasting tape.
Alright. Cut it.
And I'll set...
What? What? Is there a problem?
#NAME?
Curt, we only ask that when you decide to make a change
you simply inform us in advance,
so Eton here is properly prepared, otherwise...
What the fuck are you talking about man?
I didn't make any fucking changes!
Brian?
Fucking mother fucker! Mother fucker, you're a mother fucker!
Fuck you! Fuck you, mother fucker! Fuck you!!
Eton! Eton, please!
Brian, I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you this,
but what started off as an interesting experiment
has quite frankly descended into
a demeaning waste of your time and mine.
I mean, you've already spent forty hours studio time...
Thirty-six.
Whatever!
Thirty-six hours studio time on two, three bloody cuts!
Brian, you seem to forget, you're a very big star now,
and I think your time is worth a great deal more than this...
Fucking space-queen on your fucking high horse!
And all your fucking henchmen!
Fuck you, fuck you!
Perhaps it's time for another little break. Hey fellas?
Give us a stretch.
Jerry?
I can't risk extending his contract, Brian.
I think it's quite clear why.
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Piss off! Go on then!
Back to your wolves!
Your junkie twerps!
Your bloody shock treatment!
And fuck you too!
It all came crashing down.
I just stood on the sideline and watched,
just like everybody else.
Well, this is such a sad affair
I've opened up my heart so many times
But now it's closed
Out! O-U-T.
Well, Brian. I'm afraid that is completely out of the question.
You are contractually bound to
finish the Maxwell Demon tour
as Maxwell Demon.
Jerry, I'm telling you,
it's just getting far too out of hand...
Brian! I realize you're under tremendous strain,
but you've just gotta hang on in there
and finish the bloody tour.
You hang on in there. I'll hang on here. Right?
And then you can do what you want. OK?
Oh my dear
Every salted tear it wrings
Bitter-sweet applause
But when the show's in full swing
Every once in a while
High stepping chorus lines
Mean I'm forgetting
Mein lullaby - liebchen
Down with Slade!
How rich in contrast
Love can be
Sometimes I'm quite amused
To see it twist and turn
To taste - both sweet and dry
These vintage years
Lovers you consume, my friend
As others their wine
Nein - das ist nicht
Das ende der Welt
Gestrandet an Leben und Kunst
I don't believe that there is much of a future to speak of.
We're in a bit of a decadent spiral, aren't we?
Sinking fast.
Big Brother, baby. All the way.
Which is why we prefer impressions to ideas.
Situations to subjects.
Brief flights to sustained ones.
#NAME?
Well I'm... I'm just looking for a room at the moment.
And now, as you turn to leave
You try to force a smile
As if to compensate
Then you break down and cry
So for one entire day,
I actually think Brian's been shot.
That the whole thing is real.
All his paranoias proven horribly true.
#NAME?
Why?
Forgot.
Jesus!
I mean... I knew it was over. I just...
didn't know it was up to me to make it stop.
#NAME?
No, thanks.
These are the papers.
I believe they're in order.
All you need to do is sign.
So you won't forget.
- I already have. - Evidently!
Fuck you, Brian! Did you ever,
for one bloody second in your life,
want anything more... than this?
No.
Your problem is...
you get what you want and do what you will.
Worlds, Mandy, are built out of suffering.
There is suffering at the birth of a child
as at the birth of a star.
You live in terror of not being misunderstood.
Women defend themselves by attacking,
just as they attack
by sudden and strange surrenders.
I lost my girlhood, true.
But it was for you.
What in God's name is going on up here?
How the fuck did you get up here?
Brian, I'm really sorry about...
It's alright, Shannon.
Mandy was just leaving.
Mandy, if you'd be so kind as to follow me...
Let go of me. I'm perfectly capable of making my own...
I really don't want to have to call someone.
Call someone?
I am his wife, for fuck's sake!
Fuck the lot of you!
Was that the last time you saw him?
No.
That was the last time we actually... spoke.
I saw him again.
Briefly, a few weeks later, at a concert.
He was performing?
No. Curt was actually performing.
He and Jack Fairy had just finished
their Berlin record,
and Curt was in London playing some gigs.
And Brian was there, for a second.
I don't think anyone even saw him.
Which concert?
It was like a tribute.
Sort of a farewell concert to glam rock.
To save your wild, wild lives.
To ne'er your fans embitter.
To cease your sad demise.
Tonight, we toast!
Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
I move like a rat, talk like a cat
Sting like a bee
Baby I'm gonna be your man
And it's great to see you're mad for me, yeah
I'm your toy, your 20th century boy
- Is this working? - You know it's working.
No. Cos I want it blue-er.
I don't think you should bother.
I think I should go on stage tonight, instead of you.
Arthur, come on, give us a hand with this.
Come on. Come on. My God, I'm stuck.
Stop moving about, I'm doing me eyeliner.
I've been entwined my body... pull off!
And it's great to see you're mad for me, yeah
I'm your toy, your 20th century boy
20th century boy, I wanna be your toy
Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Rock and Roll
I move like a cat, talk like a rat
Yeah, I'm try to reach Curt Wild.
I'm a journalist from the Herald.
#NAME?
Hi, yeah. My name is Arthur Stuart,
from the Herald.
I was... I was given this number
and told I could reach Curt Wild here.
Listen...
Yeah. Hello? Hello!?
Listen, I don't know who the hell gave you this number,
but Curt Wild is not available
and not interested in granting you
or anyone else an interview on this subject.
You got it?
I'm sorry. I was told...
Oh cheeky cheeky
Oh naughty sneaky
You're so perceptive, and I wonder how you knew
But these finks don't walk too well
A bad sense of direction
And so they stumble round in threes
The tour will be a tremendous success.
And due to the overwhelming demand,
there will be additional shows added
whenever and wherever possible.
Regretfully,
Mr. Stone only has left a few questions
as he has a plain to catch the train.
You're always so charming
As you make your way up here
Lou. Lou.
Lou! Lou!
Sorry guy, but I'm late.
I think I'm onto something.
#NAME?
I think I know who Brian Slade is.
Oh, that story's been dropped.
What? Why?
I need you on the Stone show.
That's it?
What they say to you?
Lou!
Gimme danger, little stranger
And I'll feel you bleed
Gimme danger, little stranger
And I'll heal your disease
There's nothing in my dreams
But some ugly memories
Kiss me like the ocean breeze
Now if you will be my lover
I will shiver and sing
But if you will be my master
Then I will do anything
There's nothing left alive
But a pair of dark glassy eyes
Raise my fears one more time
Come on little danger, die a little stranger
Swear you're gonna feel my hands
Right on little stranger, try a little danger
Swear you're gonna feel my hands
Danger
Stranger
Gimme danger
Little stranger
Gimme danger
Everyday
Can you feel it
I got a feeling
Yeah, I got a feeling
I got a feeling, got a feeling
I got a feeling, I got a feeling
I wanna feel it
I wanna feel it, feel it
I wanna feel it, I wanna fucking feel it
I wanna feel it
I wanna feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
#NAME?
- Did you see him? - No, I didn't see him.
It's only now, looking back that I see
how you patched through my walls
and entered my life in waves.
Come closer.
Don't be frightened.
What's your name?
Your favourite colour? Song? Movie?
- Don't be nervous. Are you high? - I'm on a button.
He was waiting for me.
I'd followed his signals
and slipped away and now, suddenly...
Hey!
Make a wish!
Hey!
Make a wish!
And see yourself, on-stage, inside-out.
A tangle of garlands in your hair.
Of course you were pleasantly surprised.
Softly, he said:
Gee, but it's hard
I will mangle your mind.
When one lowers one's guard to the vultures
Now, me I regard it
A torturous hardship that smolders
Like a peppermint eaten away
Will I fight? Will I swagger, or sway
Tee hee, milady
She cries like a baby, scold us
See her tumbling down
Heil to the monkey
We're having a funky reunion
Wasted and sunk
He can only have Sunday communion
He's got nicotine stains in his eyes
He's got nothing to protect but his pride
Oh smothered a kiss
Or be drowned in blissful confusion
See her tumbling down
Tumbling down
Tommy! Where did you get the idea
for such a spectacular stadium show?
To tell you the truth? It's a bloody pain in the ass!
The whole thing takes six full size rigs
or three chartered planes to transport.
What can I say? I think big!
Tommy! Over here!
Tommy! What's your opinion on the work
that President Reynolds has been doing?
Excellent. Excellent.
I think he's doing brilliant work.
He's a tremendous leader, a tremendous spokesperson
for the needs of the nation today.
Tommy!
What's your response to the recent allegations
connecting you with bisexual pop-singer Brian Slade
who staged his own assassination
ten years ago this week in London?
...that Mr Stone has time for this evening.
Thank you very much!
Out! Out! Get out!
Now! Out!
Stone is promoting his Grammy-winning release,
People Rockin' People,
to sold-out arenas worldwide.
Beer, please.
Excuse me? Sir?
Are you with the Tommy Stone Tour?
No. I'm just a journalist.
Perhaps you'd like my... press pass?
As a souvenir?
Thanks sir.
You're Curt Wild.
Yeah. Who the hell are you?
I'm a journalist. From the Herald.
You were at the concert?
It's just funny, cause...
I was trying to contact you, actually.
About a story I was doing,
about an old friend of yours.
Brian Slade?
I was trying to find out what actually happened to him.
#NAME?
such a mystery.
Look, man, I don't know who you've been talking to
or what you're after here.
What?
What?!
Listen! A real artist creates beautiful things
and puts nothing of his won life into them. Okay?
#NAME?
We set out to change the world.
Ended up just changing ourselves.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing.
If you don't look at the world.
Well, I guess in the end he got what he wanted.
- That's quite a pin you got there. - Oh yeah.
Is it old?
Possibly. It belonged to Oscar Wilde.
Or so I was told by the person who gave it to me.
A friend of mine. Kinda disappeared some years back.
I forget where we were. We were on a trip.
But he said to me,
Curt, A man's life is his image.
- Here. Why don't you hang on to it? - Me?
Sure. Why not?
I've had it too long anyway. Go ahead.
For your image.
Really. I couldn't.
But thanks.
God, I love this song.
#NAME?
- See ya around. - Cheers!
He called it a freedom.
A freedom you can allow yourself.
Or not.
Oh I was moved by your screen dream
Celluloid pictures of living
Your death could not kill our love for you
Take two people romantic
Smoky nightclub situation
Your cigarette traces a ladder
Here's looking at you kid
Celebrate years
Here's looking at you kid
Wipe away tears
Long time, since we're together
Now I hope it's forever
Here's looking at you kid, hard to forget
Here's looking at you kid,
At least not yet
Your memory stays, it lingers ever
Will fade away never
Fade away never
You've done it all
You've broken every code
And pulled the rebel to the floor
You spoilt the game, no matter what you say
For only metal - what a bore
Blue eyes, blue eyes
How come you tell so many lies
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
There's nothing left
All gone and run away
Maybe you'll tarry for awhile
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Resist, resist
It's from yourself you have to hide
Come up and see me to make me smile
Oh, or do what you want, running wild
There ain't no more
You've taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
Can you ignore my faith in everything
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Away, away
And don't say maybe you'll try
Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want, just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Maybe you'll tarry for awhile
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Resist, resist
It's from yourself you have to hide
Come up and see me to make me smile
Oh, or do what you want, running wild
There ain't no more
You've taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
Can you ignore my faith in everything
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Away, away
And don't say maybe you'll try
Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want, just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
And don't say maybe you'll try
Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want, just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Maybe you'll tarry for awhile
It's just a test, a game for us to play
Win or lose, it's hard to smile
Resist, resist
It's from yourself you have to hide
Come up and see me to make me smile
Oh, or do what you want, running wild
There ain't no more
You've taken everything
From my belief in Mother Earth
Can you ignore my faith in everything
'Cause I know what faith is and what it's worth
Away, away
And don't say maybe you'll try
Oh, to come up and see me to make me smile
Or do what you want, just running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile
Or do what you want, running wild
Come up and see me, make me smile