Gordon Waller Faces DUI After Crashing Car In Ledyard

1. 

   Very Sad indeed. I mixed sound for Gordon Waller when he was backed up by Flamin’ Groovies Band Leader Cyril Jordan when promoter Keith Putney brought Mr. Waller to play at a Record Store in Palo Alto, California circa 2002. Waller walked in wearing a Cowboy Hat, Duster, beard and he looked like Waylon Jennings. He seemed tense until he heard Cyril playing his music note for not and the band commenced to Rock. It was a good show. After-wards he seemed annoyed to have to be selling 8 by 10 photographs which he autographed at a table for $10.00 I bought one and two CDs, Peter & Gordon’s Greatesr Hits and his solo CD “Race With Destiny” from the soundtrack of a TV Movie about James Deans. I love both CDs, when I met my wife I turned her onto Peter & Gordon and she loves their music, as do I and virtually every one we know.

   Fast Forward, my wife & I moved to Las Vegas and she found an ad in the paper advertising a free show by Peter & Gordon at The Cannery Casino in North Las Vegas, sponsored by the local Oldies Radio Station.

   We arrived at the show to find the place packed. We sighed as we figured we should have showed up earlier until an usher came up to us and said “Would you like to sit up front?, two seats just opened up”. We were thrilled to end up in the third row, center. I took a slew of Photographs. The show was wonderful, Peter & Gordon’s voices were intact, in fact Gordon’s voice was naturally lower and he sounded wonderful, and I was pleased to see my wife singing along to their songs.

   After-wards we were invited backstage by Gordon’s Manager to greet Peter & Gordon. It was great to see Gordon and he remembered me from the Palo Alto show, Promoter Keith Putney was there too and all smiles. I took a photograph of my wife with them. Big smiles all around. It was an unforgettable experience, truly special.

   Two months later I got a call from Cyril saying that Peter Asher had canceled the tour because Gordon was drinking too much.

   Last I heard Gordon was arrested and in jail for his third DUI.

   It’s very hard for Musicians to age and even harder for them not to be bitter about their lot in life. Pressure & Pain can lead to a desire to escape through drugs and alcohol. We’ve all seen this before.

   I hope Gordon heals and his family is given a break in their lives.

   I choose to remember all the good and wonderful things about Gordon Waller. His talent is huge and Peter & Gordon are responsible for many wonderful memories in my life.

   God Bless both of them and their families.

   Charles Ted Oliphant
   New Orleans, Louisiana USA

   Comment by Charles Ted Oliphnat — July 11, 2009 @ 10:46 am