Interview with Richard Watrous

Is this your first book?
This is my second book. My first book, Shadowdad: When Is Life Not Worth Living, was published in 1999. That book details how strokes drastically diminished my father and explores the option of death with dignity. Somewhat tellingly, Rahsaan Roland Kirk appears briefly in this book as someone who persevered despite a paralyzing stroke.

Can you give a brief overview, including the genre?
I consider Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s Volunteered Slavery to be musical commentary or a musical biography, as the focus is on Kirk’s music as opposed to his personal life. “Volunteered Slavery” is Kirk’s term, and refers to one of his best albums, best songs, and to the way Kirk devoted his life to music and the advancement of “Black Classical Music” (commonly called Jazz). Kirk was a truly driven virtuoso, fluent on dozens of instruments, who could play three saxophones, or two flutes, at once, and composed dazzlingly original tunes. I like to say that he is the most amazing musician that most people have never heard of. This book focuses on his musical mission in the 1960s and 70s as he was thrilling audiences at Newport Jazz Festivals, rock fans at the Fillmore Auditoriums, or millions of unsuspecting viewers of The Ed Sullivan Show.

What inspired you to write it?
I’ve been a big fan of Rahsaan Roland Kirk ever since hearing his music in the late 1960s and seeing him perform in the 1970s. An incredible musician and creative force, over the decades I realized just how special he was. The way he strove against all types of adversity—blindness, poverty, racism, hostile critics, commercial indifference, paralysis—was truly heroic. There was just one book about Kirk—Bright Moments by John Kruth—but that book seemed crammed with a thousand colorful anecdotes about Kirk and not that much about his records. Since a biography had already been written, I wanted to focus on his music as a fan who was around as he was putting out one astonishing album after another. Nearly 50 years after his death, it’s obvious that there will never be another musician like Kirk. I wanted to write this subjective salute to the man and his music in the hopes that more people will check him out, or return to Kirk for a fresh reinvigorating listen.

Have you always wanted to write?
Yes, as far back as I can remember. I was born with a speech impediment so writing always came easier than speaking. I love being creative, considering things, and writing my thoughts down.

Which book(s) can you read over and over?
Eyes of the Overworld by fantasy/science fiction writer Jack Vance, which I first read when it appeared in 1966. A wildly imaginative quest across the dying Earth of the far, far future. Magicians, tricksters, zealots, wayfarers, town folk, and various strange creatures all strive for happiness—or simply survival—as the sun is about to go dark. Over 30 years Vance wrote a number of books in the Dying Earth setting, but this first encounter for me has become like an old friend full of great stories.

Did you read when you were a child (picture books, middle school, classics, YA)?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t read! Dr. Seuss, comic books, Mad magazine, science fiction. My family moved around a lot and my favorite place in any town was the library. Libraries seemed magical to me, full of ancient wisdom yet constantly gaining new enticing books. So much to read! And all free!

Any favorites?
I was hospitalized when I was 11. I soon read everything at hand, so my parents bought me Marvel comics at the hospital gift store. These continuing superhero stories were new and exciting to me. Around the same time, I started reading Edgar Rice Burroughs’ adventures. Whether set in the jungle, at the Earth’s core, on Mars, or Venus, these stories were thrilling fun for an adolescent boy. Even though these pulp novels from the 1930s, 20s, and earlier can seem dated now, they were my entry ticket to the worlds of fantasy and science fiction.

Where can people purchase your book?
Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s Volunteered Slavery is available on Amazon in both e-book and paperback formats. I hope to place it in local independent bookstores. People can also purchase it directly from me.

How long have you been a member of LLC?
Since 2024.

Do you have favorite courses you have taken?
I liked the Short Stories of Kurt Vonnegut and George Saunders class, which focused on a past writer and a current writer who specialize in using speculative fiction to examine intriguing situations and societies. I enjoyed this summer’s Jazz class, but the two hours flew by too fast!