Detouring with Tim Rogers
‘When I decided to embark on writing, I got my seersucker suit dry-cleaned and bought a case of gin. And I thought, ‘OK – I’ve been given a job. But my first question is: what do I wear?’ I was a Tennessee Williams wannabe – crate of gin by the side of the desk for elevenses – before realising that sort of ‘write drunk edit sober’ Hemingway thing was rubbish.’
Tim Rogers on the writing process for his biography Detours.
Tim Rogers, the front man and singer/writer of You Am I, published his biography Detours in 2017. He’s known to be flamboyant in dress and manner, a witty raconteur and a poetic soul who can capture in prose the duality of life. For life according to Rogers is magnificent yet decidedly grim.
Rogers music, poetical lyrics, prose writing and performances have earned him respect in Australia and overseas. He possesses the ability to create meandering comedic riffs which nail contemporary life. You can be laughing out loud at something he’s written, while also experiencing the slow realization of deep sorrow.
Frequently Rogers finds himself being wrongly identified by the general public and confused with other actors, celebrities and musicians. Fortunately, he easily sees the comedic side of life. Writing about the time he was misidentified as rocker Rod Stewart, Rogers coolly states,
”I looked nothing like Rod Stewart. I looked much more like a masculine version of the actress Glen Close.’
Detours is a warts and all biography and he spares us nothing – including a bout of intense diarrhea and numerous inglorious moments. I won’t reveal any details as they’re best revealed in Roger’s own words. Rogers deep love of his teenage daughter is obvious, although he tries not to be overemotional. Back in 2017 his former partner and mother of his child live in America. And he’s gutted when he has to once again say goodbye to his only child.
Tim Rogers has overcome his intense fear of flying so he can go on touring and travelling. He reads prolifically and has developed a wonderful turn of phrase and arcane vocabulary which he uses to great effect.
Self effacing and ironic, his self-penned book spectacularly defines what it means to be intensely creative in the arts. Rogers performs in theatrical productions, presents for Australian TV and radio and also records and plays in numerous musical bands and ensembles.
At the time Detours was published he was involved romantically with a magnificent woman whose identity he protected by only referring to her as the Hurricane. His descriptions of meeting the Hurricane and his attempts to connect with her emotionally are lyrical, sad and frequently amusing. Their relationship was anything but comfortable or dull. The upheavals of international touring and extreme hangovers occurred frequently but they remained romantically involved.
Both Rogers and the Hurricane were heavy drinkers and prone to misunderstandings when outrageously drunk. Since then he has modified his lifestyle choices.
Recently in an interview in the AGE newspaper’s GOOD WEEKEND supplement Rogers and his current partner ballet dancer/choreographer, Alice Topp, discuss what holds them together.
As Rogers puts in the interview, ‘My default position is melancholy 93 percent of the time and Alice’s isn’t, and that grates … Living together, though, I can see her positivity isn’t relentless … I’ll always love Alice …’
I found Detours deeply moving primarily because Rogers is a wonderful, witty writer. His ability to balance the outrageous with the more prosaic elements of his life results in an easy read that succeeds in conveying complex ideas and universal truths.
It’s well worth spending time with Tim Rogers.
Image: cover Tim Rogers biography (2017) Detours