Mike Peters was the kind of man you wanted to see live forever.
Kind and humble with an unshakable spirit, he faced more trials and tribulations than someone with his heart and talent ever should have. Just over a year ago, I was offered the chance to interview him on my podcast. I couldn’t reply “yes!” fast enough.
Watch the video below — you’ll be amazed by his energy and drive despite everything he endured.
What a damn beautiful man.
Lately, I’ve been working to digitize 25 years’ worth of audio interviews, which means my recent weeks and months have been filled with the voices of the departed. I recently preserved hours of conversation with Genesis P-Orridge. David Thomas, another classic interviewee, passed not long after. I grabbed an unlabeled microcassette and heard Raven’s sarcastic charm speaking to me. Another unmarked tape began with a hotel receptionist:
“Hello, thank you for calling [whatever hotel]. How can I help you?”
“Hello, I’d like to be connected with one of your guests, Andrew Gill …”
Mike is the third podcast guest I’ve lost in the past eight months. That’s hard to take.
Life is short. Embrace the moment. Create art. Go for it all. Smile widely through your struggles. And sing your songs.
Mike sure as hell did.
EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com