Upon learning of his death, I was complaining to a friend that GG Allin had deceived his of minions by dying in a conventional rock and roll heroin overdose, rather than keeping his promise to off himself on stage some forthcoming Halloween. Well, in Allin's defense, he had been incarcerated in some of our finer penal systems these past few Halloweens. But my friend had an answer that was filled with wisdom: GG had already done his finest defecating in a live performance setting, had bleed his bloody best in a live performance setting, and dropped his trousers in a manner that would do a vaudevillian baggy-pants performer proud. Therefore, he owed us nothing more in his final act. Hadn't he done enough?
He's right, you know? I did manage to witness Allin in his only Los Angeles show, albeit unintentionally. He was booked to play at the Hong Kong Café and I had told anyone within earshot that the gig would never take place. However, I was mistaken concerning the specifics of the derailment. I had predicted that the fine men of the L.A.P.D. would drop by and arrest Allin by way of welcome to the great state of California. But no, GG took matters into his own hands by slugging the girl singer of the opening band, causing the cancellation of the show.
Allin next showed up at Raji's in Hollywood, where I had gone to spend money on beer, entertainment and whatever came my way. By agreement with the club owner, the doors were locked at 2:00 AM and GG clambered on stage; pantsless of course. At the insistence of Raji's employees, and much to the relief of the females in attendance, he put them back on, then proceeded to perform about two songs, punched a couple of brave souls who ventured near the stage, bashed his head with the microphone until he bled, and then the power was cut. Allin hurled obscenities at Raji's and Los Angeles, then broke some glasses and sent everyone home, all better citizens for this shared experience.
I talked to GG Allin a couple of times when he called my place of employment from a prison in Michigan. He was a nice guy and quite pleasant considering his state of mind. He may have exited the planet just like any conventional rock star. However, he was anything but.
Paul Grant
Return to The GG Allin SuperSite Discography - Brutality And Bloodshed For All (CD)