Though this is a story that explores my relationship with my dad most deeply, I could not have written this book without my mother. Mom sat down with me for hundreds of hours, answering my questions, disputing my theories and correcting me on family details. Her memory is astonishing, and her courage and loyalty continue to inspire and humble me. Never wild about the idea of this father-son memoir, Mom nonetheless talked candidly with me about intimate and sometimes painful past events, looking me straight in the eye and delivering the goods.
My sister, Karen, was equally generous and forthright, opening up her life to me in all its horror and joy. It was an invaluable contribution and a wonderful gift.
While I spared my brother, Larry, the “Big Book Interview,” I didn’t spare him an early version of the book. His shrewd and thorough assessment, documented in five pages of comments, criticism and encouragement, took up residence beside my laptop, constantly reminding me that I could go further, write better and tell my story, and my dad’s story, more effectively.
Beyond my immediate family, I interviewed six people: my aunt, Doris Cochran; my cousin, Adele Flateau; and four of my father’s closest friends—Eleanor Meslin, Alan Borovoy, Jim Maben and Jean McFadyen. All these people opened their homes to me and spent hours telling me amazing stories about my father. I will always remember their honesty and hospitality.
My editor, Jennifer Lambert, patiently and gently kept the story focused and encouraged me to delve deeper and not be afraid. My unorthodox writing methods (like finding more “missing chapters” after the project was supposedly completed) made the pace intense, right up to the final moments. Jennifer never complained. Indeed, everyone at HarperCollins showed me incredible support and an overall belief in this book.
Managing editor Noelle Zitzer kindly indulged my last-minute changes to the text while reminding me, in the subtlest and most caring way, that there comes a time to let go.
Before I sent the original manuscript to my publisher, my sister-in-law, Miranda Hill, worked side by side with me as my editor for eighteen months. Without Miranda’s expert counsel and practical knowledge about Hill family history, this book would have never been published.
For more than twenty years, my assistant, Nikki Harris, has kept me organized. Her attention to the many necessary details of life and business allowed me to stay focused on this book, just as she has enabled me to concentrate on my music for two decades.
Lawyer and agent Michael Levine shared his knowledge of business, publishing and human nature, which has been a godsend.
The people at the Archives of Ontario were phenomenal guides while I considered my father’s life through the lens of his many personal letters.
I’d like to thank Matthew McCauley and Fred Mollin for teaching me so much about music. My old friend and collaborator, Matthew graciously allowed me to include in this book the lyrics to some of my early songs. Thanks to my dear friend John Sheard for teaching me piano.
Keith Stegall and John Hadfield were kind enough to read my original 800-plus-page manuscript and offer wonderful feedback and encouragement.
Finally, I wish to thank my wife and son. During the years that it took to find my way through this story, my wife, Beverly, spent many moments on the verge of strangling me—always with good reason. Still, she read and reread the various drafts, offering advice, support, patience and love. Without her, I could never have completed this book and quite frankly would not have survived the many challenges, some self-inflicted, in my life. Our son, David, read the various versions—even when I asked him not to. Indeed, David’s passion and talent as a writer, as well as our own relationship as father and son, helped inspire me to tell this story.