Bruce....married or divorced?

[HeyJude]

That sums it up for me, although I will speak up if misleading things are stated here or elsewhere.  Wouldn't you?

One piece of objective advice I would offer is that, based on past instances reading other boards on the interwebs over the years, insiders of various sorts who *only* pop up to correct other people aren't always greeted warmly. It's kind of like having a boss that never points out the good stuff, and only points out the bad stuff.

Pointing out the incorrect or bad stuff is sometimes needed. I know Jon Stebbins will pop up, and rightly so, if you misquote the gauge of strings David Marks used on his guitar in 1963. But he also contributes to conversations and discussions, and imparts knowledge.

[HeyJude]

Bruce....alive or undead?




I've got this theory that Bruce is actually undead. Not a "zombie" necessarily, but something similar. Which means that according to US law, he is unable to be legally married.

I was thinking about starting a new thread about the subject, but I think this one will do just fine for continued discussion.


I'd appreciate others' opinions on the subject.

All I can say is that, either way, whether alive or undead, just make sure you don't call him "BJ."

The exchange that took place years ago on the BB Britain board when someone clearly innocently called him that was *WAY* more interesting than any marriage status discussions.

[drbeachboy]

Geez, even the mortgage company I have knows my marital status. What is the big deal? We tell the world that stuff on facebook and the like.

[mikeddonn]

The thing is how many people would ask such a personal question to anyone face-to-face?  I wouldn't because I would respect the fact that the other person may not feel comfortable and it leads to an awkwardness.  Just like it's not polite to ask a woman her age.  However, some people have no problem asking others uncomfortable questions (especially online).

[Debbie Keil-Leavitt]

Keep posting Debbie! I'm sure most of us here would agree with what you said.  I think Ray and Ed are also guys who could have sold their stories years ago but chose not to.  The sign of true friendship.  I also like how the three of you are pretty honest with your posts, kind of like having a chat over a beer, rather than some of the sensationalist journalism out there.  It's always good to get the inside track from people who were actually there/here and are respected. Cheers.

Exactly.  Ray and Ed are both good, honest guys.

[HeyJude]

The thing is how many people would ask such a personal question to anyone face-to-face?  I wouldn't because I would respect the fact that the other person may not feel comfortable and it leads to an awkwardness.  Just like it's not polite to ask a woman her age.  However, some people have no problem asking others uncomfortable questions (especially online).

I wouldn’t ask someone’s marital status (although there is also a difference between “are you married?” versus “are you currently in a long-term separation from your wife?”), but I’m also someone who thinks the very common “what do you do for a living?” question is just as presumptuous and disrespectful as “are you married?”

If someone was a public figure, *and* had already willingly talked at length about their family online, then I don’t think simply asking if they’re married is a particularly inappropriate question.

Of course, I’m also someone who, if I were Bruce, would simply not answer questions I didn’t want to answer rather than posting specifically to state that I won’t answer the question. That just draws more attention to it. Kind of like when Ringo “announced” he wouldn’t sign autographs very publicly rather than simply ceasing signing them.

[drbeachboy]

The thing is how many people would ask such a personal question to anyone face-to-face?  I wouldn't because I would respect the fact that the other person may not feel comfortable and it leads to an awkwardness.  Just like it's not polite to ask a woman her age.  However, some people have no problem asking others uncomfortable questions (especially online).

I have people ask me all the time. "Still married? How many years?" Before I was married they would say, "Still single? Seeing anybody?" Goes on all of the time. The question itself is fine, with divorce it's the digging into it after the question is asked is what can get a bit dicey.

[Debbie Keil-Leavitt]

That sums it up for me, although I will speak up if misleading things are stated here or elsewhere.  Wouldn't you?

One piece of objective advice I would offer is that, based on past instances reading other boards on the interwebs over the years, insiders of various sorts who *only* pop up to correct other people aren't always greeted warmly. It's kind of like having a boss that never points out the good stuff, and only points out the bad stuff.

Pointing out the incorrect or bad stuff is sometimes needed. I know Jon Stebbins will pop up, and rightly so, if you misquote the gauge of strings David Marks used on his guitar in 1963. But he also contributes to conversations and discussions, and imparts knowledge.

I've made plenty of friendly posts on this Board.  Apparently you weren't part of them.  Speculating about someone's personal life isn't my idea of contributing to the conversation.

[HeyJude]

That sums it up for me, although I will speak up if misleading things are stated here or elsewhere.  Wouldn't you?

One piece of objective advice I would offer is that, based on past instances reading other boards on the interwebs over the years, insiders of various sorts who *only* pop up to correct other people aren't always greeted warmly. It's kind of like having a boss that never points out the good stuff, and only points out the bad stuff.

Pointing out the incorrect or bad stuff is sometimes needed. I know Jon Stebbins will pop up, and rightly so, if you misquote the gauge of strings David Marks used on his guitar in 1963. But he also contributes to conversations and discussions, and imparts knowledge.

I've made plenty of friendly posts on this Board.  Apparently you weren't part of them.  Speculating about someone's personal life isn't my idea of contributing to the conversation.

I think people who ask questions are usually doing so in order to avoid speculating. There is rampant speculation (much incorrect and unfounded) out there, but the person who some are shaming presumably asked a question so as to avoid speculating.

I have to go back to what Howie said at the outset. What he said makes sense, and he currently talks to all the guys in the band and has interviewed numerous associates of the band. He understands the journalistic ethos and the sensibilities involved. The Bruce question was not an inappropriate question in this particular context.

I somehow doubt if Bruce or anyone was reading a biography of Orson Welles or Salinger or something that they would disapprove of the mere mention of their marital status over the years.

Bruce appeared with presumably his wife at the end of the "Endless Harmony" documentary in 1998. He seemed okay with that level of scrutiny. That was an in-house BRI project.

[The Shift]

Appreciate your posts Debbie. They're on the money (as Bruce might say!) and welcome.

Seems to be a trend for some posters to start excavating personal details of band members she things slacken off on the release front. News of another boxed set on the horizon will soon put things back to normal with folk discussing the '60s overdubs applied to some '80s backing track rather than the ups and downs of married/not-so-married band members and their friends and associates.

I think it's inevitable that the hardcore fans go for this info; we devote so much time and so much of ourselves listening to the music that we want to know more about the background, the well from which he inspiration was drawn.

Inevitably it will seem intrusive but I suspect most of us would back down and get back in our baskets when commanded!

[jeffh]

Please remember that the poster on the BBB did NOT ask Bruce about his marital status. The poster asked the forum in general. Bruce popped on and basicly said "don't talk about it". Again, he himself was not asked. Yet he feels he has the right to silence others. Gag...another "Bruce'" moment

[Howie Edelson]

Exactly. A simple question -- and in light of what we know about this band and DON'T talk about (right?) -- a completely above-board and respectful question. Not prying into details, not even mentioning his wife’s name. Jon Stebbins put the fact into print over three years ago. Bruce has been seen in public with his companion for nearly a decade. It's understandable that Bruce wouldn't want to talk in a public forum about it -- but, nobody asked him in a public forum. They asked a message board. I'm sure there are members of the BB organization that don't want to talk about the events in Australia in 1978 -- does that mean it's none of our business or we're not allowed to know the facts?

Making this question an issue is absurd.

[GhostyTMRS]

If he doesn't want to talk about it with fans then so be it. There are far more interesting things to discuss with Bruce.

I don't think it's wrong to ask about Bruce's marital status..I mean...try meeting anyone ever and not have them ask you if you're single or married..it's like discussing the weather....but personally I had never even thought about Bruce's marital status until I started reading this thread.

On the other hand, I've thought a lot about Dennis's love life. I would think his dalliances with women must've been thrilling on an almost James Bondian level. I would gladly accept a giant coffee-table sized book documenting all of the women involved in Dennis' romantic escapades, provided it was wall-to-wall photos and in 3D.  

[GhostyTMRS]

[

[Debbie Keil-Leavitt]

If he doesn't want to talk about it with fans then so be it. There are far more interesting things to discuss with Bruce.

I don't think it's wrong to ask about Bruce's marital status..I mean...try meeting anyone ever and not have them ask you if you're single or married..it's like discussing the weather....but personally I had never even thought about Bruce's marital status until I started reading this thread.

On the other hand, I've thought a lot about Dennis's love life. I would think his dalliances with women must've been thrilling on an almost James Bondian level. I would gladly accept a giant coffee-table sized book documenting all of the women involved in Dennis' romantic escapades, provided it was wall-to-wall photos and in 3D.  

Ghosty, I'm with you.  There are far more interesting things to discuss with Bruce that don't involve his family.  I think asking him if he's satisfied with his musical and career choices in life would be a far better thread.  In fact, someone who knows how to start another thread might ask him.  Good God, though - PLEASE - no one ask him about politics!  He might answer.

[filledeplage]

If he doesn't want to talk about it with fans then so be it. There are far more interesting things to discuss with Bruce.

I don't think it's wrong to ask about Bruce's marital status..I mean...try meeting anyone ever and not have them ask you if you're single or married..it's like discussing the weather....but personally I had never even thought about Bruce's marital status until I started reading this thread.

On the other hand, I've thought a lot about Dennis's love life. I would think his dalliances with women must've been thrilling on an almost James Bondian level. I would gladly accept a giant coffee-table sized book documenting all of the women involved in Dennis' romantic escapades, provided it was wall-to-wall photos and in 3D.  

Ghosty, I'm with you.  There are far more interesting things to discuss with Bruce that don't involve his family.  I think asking him if he's satisfied with his musical and career choices in life would be a far better thread.  In fact, someone who knows how to start another thread might ask him.  Good God, though - PLEASE - no one ask him about politics!  He might answer.

Debbie - I would have to respectfully disagree. High profile rockers, often enjoy an "unfiltered" eyewitness perch to the window on the world and current events.  Their info is uncensored while touring.  They can meet the locals and get the local perspective, without media to put their spin on every event. They are well-informed.

They performed during the Prague Spring, have visited post-hurricane devastation, become engaged in charities that benefit various causes, and we would have had no Farm Aid, and successor concerts without strong and "protected" speech, going back to Anti-war activism with Carl as a CO (conscientious objector) and whether some off-the-cuff remarks went viral or not, they (collectively) as high profile performers, can and should, in my view, be "out there."

And, it might be "inconvenient" but it certainly, in the States, is "protected speech." No one gets hung in the town square for political criticism against a politician.  We have 10,000 (give or take) casualties of war, in the last decade, who are protecting "protected speech" and that is the beauty that is the US.  And, it is reported that he is Republican, but championing environmental issues (such as ocean protection) which have been traditionally Democratic issues.  (The Republicans now know, a clean ocean is good for business! )

It is the rockers, both Dems and Republicans (for that matter) who have often used their celebrity status "for good" and even if they now control the Senate, we Democrats will be there to "keep them honest!" And the reverse is true.  It brings balance, and why the model is largely successful.   

[ontor pertawst]

Alright, then you go "ask Bruce" about politics and "make sure" to youtube the results for us. "Respectfully" if "at all possible," ok?

[SMiLE Brian]

Think it would be something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcJWCiXbfxs

[filledeplage]

Alright, then you go "ask Bruce" about politics and "make sure" to youtube the results for us. "Respectfully" if "at all possible," ok?

No ontor perwast.  It would be "YouTube" the results.  

[ontor pertawst]

"I'll try not" to improperly capitalize names "of streaming services" again. 

[filledeplage]

"I'll try not" to improperly capitalize names "of streaming services" again. 

YouTube is a proper noun, a particular person, place or thing. It is a commercial entity.

Check your own YouTube channel. It is in upper case letters.

[ontor pertawst]

Yes, obviously. I am agreeing with you about my huge mistake. You sure showed me! I think I got a little too hopped up on all the social change brought on by "Student Demonstration Time" and started getting inspired by Carl's conscientious objector status... I guess I must've been swept up in that fervor when I decided to rebel against proper capitalization. I can only hope the forces of moderation will take hold and I'll get back to proper capitalization.

I think Debbie was just making a tongue-in-cheek comment referring to our dear Bruce's "Obama is an asshole" stuff, anyway. Your response to that struck me as a bit "funny." Apologies!

[filledeplage]

Yes, obviously. I am agreeing with you about my huge mistake. You sure showed me! I think I got a little too hopped up on all the social change brought on by "Student Demonstration Time" and started getting inspired by Carl's conscientious objector status and decided to rebel against proper capitalization.

Maybe we don't agree, but that was this place if for.  I am first to defend content over form.  That is why we have spellcheck.  My iPad autocorrects and corrected the YouTube text.  (Notwithstanding entering lower case in web form.)

But that any supporters position of "The Touring Band" are targeted needlessly is getting old.  And hilarious, because I see and will continue to see any and all versions of this music sphere. 

If you hadn't "gone there" with minutiae, I would not have responded.   

You brought up SDT.  Not me. 

[ontor pertawst]

Sounds terrific. I'm going to back away slowly now.

[SMiLE Brian]

"the touring band" is a misnomer for the " The Mike Love Magic TM and groupies oogling project featuring Bruce Johnston"