I cannot recommend enough this 2007 Vanity Fair article regarding the genesis of Rufus Wainwright — stay with me.
Not only is it packed with details about Rufus’s drug binges (“He sat on the toilet for four hours before crouching in the corner, wearing a red Miu Miu peacoat”), it paints his dad, the folk singer Loudon, as a illustrious candidate for a place on the list of the Worst Semi-Notable People Ever.
Here’s Loudon, talking about art:
Now we’ve stumbled onto the big, important question: Is it necessary to feel like shit in order to be creative? I’d say the answer is yes—unless you’re J. S. Bach.
And talking about parenting while doing art:
‘You know, Pounie,’”—Pounie is Martha [Wainwright's] family nickname—”‘I think I had to do it this way. I think I had to let you guys go in order to be Loudon Wainwright, and I’m sorry, but I think I had to do it that way.’”
And his feelings on love:
When Loudon wrote his first song about [his ex-wife] Kate, it was not some sappy declaration of love everlasting, but something murkier, perhaps tinged with envy, called “Saw Your Name in the Paper.”
In conclusion, make your own conclusion! What do I know about parenting? See you in the comments section.
**Addendum, 8/11** All above said, Attempted Mustache is one of the most brilliant album titles in the history of album titles.
Loudon, impressed with what Rufus was up to, had the bright idea of taking his son on the road as his opening act. “The first night, I didn’t go over too well,” Rufus says. “His audience was a little rowdy, and the angry middle-aged men were there. But by the third night, I developed a thick skin and really did a great show. After that, my father came to me and said, ‘We’re never doing a show together again.’ He felt threatened.”
Dear Mrs. Finnegan,
I know this is weird but I’m really desperate. My name is Morgan Young. I have contributed to the Huffington Post before with the Eyes an Ears section, but my previous contact has become unavailable recently and I have a great story idea about a WWI memorial dedicated to Black veterans that’s interactive. The kicker is that its in WV, the only one of its kind, and its run by students. My partner and I would really like to write the article for your section. I tried to find your email address but had no luck. If you could please respond to this comment or email me at myoungwvu@gmail.com, I would be eternally grateful. Thank your time.