FANSOL letter to Chad Taylor, our thoughts and the mail compilation Options

[maccaz69]

I don't think a record like that would sound like TC. More like SS, probably. Something just for themselves, and for the fans. More like SS, with perhaps sprinkles of TC and TDTH.

I like SS too so that will do!!!!! SS was really unique....some real rock some ballads too it was a great album. Anything to try and forget SFBM!!! Lol

[Pokey]

Yeah this doesn't really change my views on Ed much. Chad's forgiven him, or at least in the process of it. And the lable takes their share of the blame like they do with so many fuck ups in music. But Ed still comes off as being a massive dick, again someone like Nick will say that there are 2 sides to every story. But what Chad wrote was so heart wrenchingly honest it's hard to see it another way ... you don't treat your friends that way.
But Chad writes some very complimentry things of Ed .. or the Ed that was. It shows I think that Ed was never always a dick ... for Ed's downfall to rub so many people and fans the wrong way it's a sign that once he was held in such high regard for a reason. The man has done some amazing things.

It funny because I'd heard the story of Chad on the hotel balcony in New Zealand in 2001 and how it came about and he was unhappy at how V came about and his lack of input into song writing, but then BOP onwards his feelings wern't as plain to see. The fact the song writing credits all lead to Ed meant that we knew that Ed had all the creative input, but for years I kept wondering if Chad and the lads were either A). Content and happy with this or B). Suffering silently and had views similar to my own on the new material. I'm glad to know it was B ... for someone who took part in making some wonderful music through the 90s and then just become stifeled creatively must have been horrible and it's fantastic he's finally got a new avenue to direct his creativity. Once again, amazing read.

[Nobody Knows]

By the time Black Mountain came around, I could care less. Jim Wirt, the producer was writing all of the guitar parts. I took it as a challenge to find a way to further give of myself but I never stayed in the studio for more than a few hours at a time. This wasn’t my music any longer; this wasn’t the band I envisioned. I knew it was time to walk away but had no idea how to do it.

Reading that, I can only be happy about the hiatus - break-up.

[Deku]

Damn right, mate. Everyone dealt with things differently, and changed differently - but nobody wanted to. Nobody wanted it all to go pear shaped, it couldn't be helped.

Fucking sucks. I can understand some of Ed's position as the gap between them all widened. Like when he was at the venue or something waiting on Chad T and was pissed with him and stuff - I get that. Totally fine in my opinion. Shit got escalated and out of hand, and problems sprouted and it all just became a clusterfuck.

Can't really express it. Just listening to Secret Samadhi and vibing to the good stuff. Century, good track.

Finally, through all this, I really read into it that Chad feels Live has unfinished business. It took a huge fucked up detour that was never intended, and I think some time in the future, probably all depending on Ed - there's a big mashup independent get together somewhere in the future. Alongside the new projects - it'll probably never just be Live again... but I think there's something there. Somewhere... in the future.

Again. FUCK. What a read. Can't properly express it. So much to take in, I'm just rambling...

I've realised that Chad T is probably the biggest Live fan there is, and you could read how hard it was for him to come to terms with what was happening to the band. If he's forgiven Ed, I think we should all draw a line under it.

As for working together again, I've believed since the start that they would and it's not just wishful thinking on my part. But it does depend on Ed. They're all massively talented individuals and given the right circumstances they could make another great album. They obviously didn't really have that starting with V and that explains the albums that followed. Though I don't hate any of them. Would Chad want to leave Live the way it has been? I think he has too much respect for the band and its history, and the fact he's looking to get out the unheard treasures from their past shows this.

[jonesy]

Great read.

Probably the most exciting Live related thing for the past 5 years!

I look forward to the book

I've always had the feeling that 5-6 years down the track even after tha massive fallout the band may produce another album. For some strange reason reading that from Chad confirms that belief

[Soxwsc]

Very kind of Chad to pour his heart out like that to his fans! I didn't have time to read the whole thing this morning, but after scanning through and using the find feature to search for "American Idol", I was kind of surprised he didn't even mention that performance. I wonder how he felt about performing on that show.

Damn, now I'm late to work. I think that might be one of the greatest letters by a rock star to a fan base in the history of rock n roll!

This post has been edited by Soxwsc: Jul 20 2010, 7:32 am

[+Ed+]

I have given too much of good reputation to the users in this thread today I can not do it anymore! HOLY FUCK!!!

[deepenoughtodive]

How awesome is Chad Taylor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was enlightening and heartbreaking at the same time. Can't wait for the book and the unreleased material.

I think Ed will realize what he's lost eventually. Right now, his pride won't allow him to look at things in the right perspective. He is high on his new material BUT, 25 years of memories are floating around in that bald head and life and time have a way of bringing things full-circle.

I love Ed, Chad Taylor, Pat and Chad Gracey. They have truly been the soundtrack to my life. I've never felt about another band the way I feel about LIVE. I have hope that there is a next chapter for the band. Until then, I'm just gonna enjoy TGF and Ed solo.

[OutToDry]

Once there was a story about a promising young man........his talents brought him to the forefront of his trade only to be seduced by the dark side.........Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader.........in the end Vader made good on his internal power struggle.......

Yeah, that's for you Nick.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Thanks Chad for this. But it seems here that we have been blaming Ed for the band's demise and the turn to a more pop-rock sound while there were more players in this, including the label and the Chads and Patrick. However, i hope that all parties understand and admit their faults and responsibility and reunite with the best of the best Live album.

I think that some of us who still have issues with Ed have discussed this at various points. As for me, I've never put the blame entirely on him, but at a point he began going along with it and that was his choice.

[CRH]

That was amazing. Thank you Chad.

[mattsz]

Wow!!!, what an awesome recollection of the history of Live and the music. Thanks Chad.

I've been browsing this board, and Illout-Live before it, since the the early 2000's and it's amazing how spot on people have been with their comments and observations over the years about the fractures appearing between Ed and the rest of the band.

It blows my mind how it's possible to have such a connection with four guys that most of us will never really know. There's definitely some kind of freaky-energy in the music to have had such a lasting effect on people.

It's incredible to have been on this side of the music, I can only imagine what it feels like to be on the creative side of it. It's sad how it's all ended - but to be the creators of such powerful energy, how could it not go to your head or tear you apart...

[janine5683]

WOW

Thank you, Merica and +Ed+, for writing the letter.

This is amazing.

Man, I love forums!

[swami]

It's funny...back around 2002 or so I was strongly considering writing a book about Live, contacting the guys and management, checking for correctness, finding a publisher and a distributor, etc. I figured I could write at least a good 300 pages or so about the band. But, after reading Chad's letter, I clearly would have written an incomplete book. I'm glad Chad's on the project instead of me. Maybe I can do the cover art

[Merica]

It's funny...back around 2002 or so I was strongly considering writing a book about Live, contacting the guys and management, checking for correctness, finding a publisher and a distributor, etc. I figured I could write at least a good 300 pages or so about the band. But, after reading Chad's letter, I clearly would have written an incomplete book. I'm glad Chad's on the project instead of me. Maybe I can do the cover art

I'll direct the film adaptation.