"Van Dyke Parks: I've thought about it. Still, there's something highly co-optive about it. Most autobiography by celebs in the music racket draw a pretty thin line between fact and fiction. Consider this possible entry:
"........so, I was at lunch one day with Barry Gordy Jr. It was my treat.
I liked the guy. So I said to Barry
'....no Barry, not MOTOR TOWN RECORDS.....call it MOTOWN RECORDS.....
Easier to pronounce.....good ad-speak.'
Barry turned to me, astonished. He said:
'....gee Van Dyke....that's brilliant....can I use it?'
I said 'Sure Barry, no prob. Be my guest'."
The rest is history.
The foregoing, just a sample of the incredible challenge i'd have in writing a plausible rear view for the public.
All my best wishes to you Jerry. Thanks for including me. Much fun."