Okay – As a child of the 70’s, I want to try to present another side to the “room trash” issue. Now, let me start off by saying that I don’t think anyone today condones this behavior. It is indefensible – BUT, I think it’s important to keep in mind that attitudes have changed drastically from what they were back then. A band trashing hotel rooms back in the 70’s and early 80’s was a fad and actually considered “cool” by the younger generation. It was like the more outrageous and rebellious, the better. Not only that, but it was such a common thing and hotels were fully aware of the ‘consequences’ of reserving rooms for rock bands. Some hotels actually became infamous, such as the Continental “Riot” House that is portrayed in the movie Almost Famous. Now, I know this sounds weird today, and, again, I’m not trying to defend the behavior. However, while it may have been viewed back then as somewhat irresponsible and wreckless, today we view it as criminal. So having ‘been there’, my guess is that while Joe and the rest of the band aren’t proud of much of their behavior back in the day, they just have to look back at it much as Joe Vitale does in his book. I mean what can you say, other than ‘it was the 70’s’ and many stupid things happened. I know it is cliché to say this, but I guess you probably really did have to be there to truly understand. I can only say that social attitudes of today are just extremely different than they were back then.

As far as the I Can Play That Rock & Roll video, I just have to take those times into consideration. At the time it was made, it was a very funny video because it is a gross exaggeration even for back then. So, again, since I was ‘there’, I can probably appreciate the humor more than some of you can. If it were a modern day video, I would view it in an entirely different light.