Swamp Dogg recently revealed that he had only recently stopped experiencing hallucinations of monsters. After being unknowingly dosed with LSD in the 1960s, which influenced his unique approach to soul music, the 82-year-old artist admitted that he felt the lingering effects of the drug until just a few years ago. He described feeling paranoid in crowds and when alone, experiencing high anxiety, and even seeing people transform into monsters if he stared at them for too long.
During this challenging time, Swamp Dogg credited his late wife, Yvonne, for providing unwavering support and being the only person he truly trusted. He attributed his survival and stability to her presence in his life, describing her as his god. These heartfelt sentiments about Yvonne are also reflected in the quirky and touching new documentary about Swamp Dogg and his unconventional world titled „Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted.“
Swamp Dogg’s musical career is as diverse as his personality, blending elements of soul, rock, country, disco, R&B, and Auto-Tune boogie. From his early days as Little Jerry Williams in Virginia to his reinvention as Swamp Dogg in 1970, he has collaborated with artists like Bon Iver, managed the World Class Wreckin’ Cru (featuring Dr. Dre), and even sold novelty records of dogs barking Beatles songs. His eccentricities are further showcased through his album covers, such as him posing naked inside a giant hot dog and riding a giant white rat.
Despite facing setbacks in his career, particularly after his involvement in political activism during the 1970s, Swamp Dogg remains unapologetically true to himself. He continues to create music, release albums, and perform for his growing audience with unwavering dedication. When asked about his motivation, he bluntly admits that the fear of poverty drives him to keep working tirelessly, regardless of his age.
The documentary also sheds light on Swamp Dogg’s unique living situation in Los Angeles, where he shares a home with friends and collaborators like Guitar Shorty and MoogStar. Despite his success, he remains grounded and empathetic, offering support to those in need, as he knows what it’s like to struggle and lose everything. His resilience and determination to overcome challenges, coupled with his unyielding passion for music, have solidified his legacy as a truly one-of-a-kind artist. „“Ich dachte, die Welt würde mir gehören”, reflektiert er über jene Zeit.
Man bekommt das Gefühl, dass die Firma und die Kameradschaft seiner Kumpels, Bandkollegen und Mitbewohner den tiefen Verlust über seine Frau ersetzt haben. Er stimmt dem zu, bevor er scherzt: “und sie sahen auch nie wie Monster für mich aus”. Leider ist Guitar Shorty inzwischen gestorben, zusammen mit einem anderen Freund und Kollaborateur, John Prine, der auch im Film erscheint. “Ich denke, ich bin der Nächste”, sagt er. “Aber ich versuche, einen geraden Weg zu gehen und die Dinge zu tun, die mich gesund halten und meinen Geist, und mein ganzes Wesen, glücklich machen. Ich versuche, richtig zu essen, nicht zu trinken, keine Drogen zu nehmen …” er stoppt sich selbst. “Verdammt, man könnte sagen, ich bin langweilig wie ein Motherfucker.”
In Wirklichkeit ist Swamp Dogg alles andere als das. Und man spürt, dass er langsam zu erkennen beginnt, dass die Umarmung der Exzentrik und das Musikmachen rein nach seinen eigenen Bedingungen, während er einen wirklich einzigartigen Karriereweg schmiedet, vielleicht Früchte getragen hat. “Ich bin froh, dass ich mir treu geblieben bin”, sagt er. “Und ich habe viel Vertrauen in das, was ich tue, und ich möchte ein verdammt gutes Erbe hinterlassen. Deshalb schneide ich so viele Alben. Ich werde es versuchen und hoffen, dass es klappt. Es scheint zu funktionieren.”
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