I've been thinking about Neal.
He was in a successful band from age 15. Probably got lots of yes-men agreeing with his every word, and making him feel important. And lots of groupies hanging round. And loads of flunkies doing everything for him. For years - and all starting at age 15. Wow.
Now that is pretty young to be getting that kind of attention. An unreal kind of life, I suppose. And not really a good foundation to learn how to sustain a relationship with a woman. Or how to deal with other people's feelings.
When I have seen him interviewed, he has always come over as a little goofy, not taking things very serious and maybe not very bright.
I think his talent with the guitar is the only way he can express himself - because he does not have the 'people skills' to do it any other way.
He is not a talker. He speaks with his guitar. He doesn't know how to do it any other way and bumbles on as best he can. It is too late now for him to change that, I think.
I have never met him - and I am still furious with how he handled the JSS firing etc. I see him as the boss of the band. So I think it was his ultimate responsibility to handle things like that.
I absolutely understand that JSS was not the singer they wanted - and I am fine with that, but it's the handling of it [as everyone probably knows if they've read my posts before] that still gives me a bad taste in my mouth.
I am not excusing his behaviour, but I am trying to look at it another way.
I don't think this man who has been living in a rockstar's bubble for all these years has ever learned the necessary people skills to handle such a situation any different. The little star with an immense talent who never grew up, maybe?
However, I am one of those people who can separate his music from the man to a certain extent.
I can listen to the music and enjoy it, but I don't want to be in his circle of mates. ha ha - if I was, I just wouldn't be able to resist giving him a bollocking for all that has happened - and then I think I would be banished form his circle of mates pretty quick!
But oh how I would love to invite him, SP, SA and JSS round for tea and get them talking.
I'd bang their heads together for a start!
Anyone for tea and cakes?
