Jeff Elder Isn't Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, "Minute by Minute" — episode 21 of his ongoing memoir. It's about 1993, the decline, and the decision to stay. AZT that didn't work. Drinking that got sloppy. A dude ranch trip that went sideways in the middle of the night. A psych ward. A pen that produced words that didn't exist. Hospice at home. And a quiet hospital room where Jeff held someone he loved as he died. This one is heavy. But it ends with gratitude, and a reminder to hold the people you love a little tighter.

Audio credits: Intro/Outro music: Minute by Minute by The Doobie Brothers

Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn't Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

Jeff Elder Isn't Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, "Keeping The Lights On" — episode 20 of his ongoing memoir. It's about the best and worst of 1991 and into 1992. Red Red Groove was gaining real momentum, landing radio play and working on a second album called Silence — a nod to the Silence = Death movement. At the same time, the club scene was shifting, Circa was failing, and IKON was being born. And then, in a hospital room, everything changed. This one gets heavy.

Audio credits: Intro/Outro music: Red Red Groove - No Tears

Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn't Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “The Thrill Ride Continues” — episode 19 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about 1990 and 1991, when Red Red Groove was hitting its stride, the DJ career was evolving, and the night a rope, a long-haired stranger, and a very specific comment about legs led to one of the best shows Jeff ever played. Plus, the story of a venue owner who called the cops on his own show, and the first quiet signs that something at home was about to change.

Audio credits: Intro/Outro music: Angels by Red Red Groove

Link to my Red Red Groove scrapbook (mentioned in this episode) is https://www.strangehighways.com/red-red-groove-scrapbook/

Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.