Or The Queen Of Soho. Which is the subtitle of the book. Quite a name to have for oneself. Quite the area to rule over, one might surmise.I visited Soho in the eighties. Twas not any where as sleazy and shocking as I expected. I was in the Great Babylon, after all. But what I know. I had never really been anywhere and was about as worldly as a Beatrix Potter Squirrel.
I really enjoyed this record of the days of David Hodge. He was at the epicenter of a world of change taking place in the shared pop cultural zeigeist of the eighties. Music, fashion and sexuality, all metrics measured by ordinary people transforming themselves, with very limited resurces, into some of the most beautifully and mysteriously glamorous pop figures ever. Its a bit sad at times, with the youthful David Hodge at the height of his powers acting like his own worst enemy. He admits it all, acting on advice given to him by Boy George; Tell the truth. Your own truth. The lines between drag, between binary and non-binary blur and change, like all the winding paths of experience. He only speaks for himself and lets the rolling dice land as they may. Which he certainly seems to have done himself, to great effect. I am about to lend this book to one of my sisters who has always tried to steer her children towards what was best for them. In this book we hear how sometimes loved ones can let you down but also how they can get to try again. To learn from past mistakes and never close the door on the possibility for change and the return of love.
His friendship with Boy George is an interesting one. He was a fan before he became a friend. I used to wonder about the odd dynamic such a friendship would have. Do you actually know the person or the avatar that person has created for professional reasons. Does David Hodge like George O Dowd or the figure the world thought it knew as Boy George? In this instance I believe they were proper friends, off course. David Hodge had created an avatar of his own; Dusty,so he knew the difference. George could be a great friend, it seems, but a hard one to keep up with. A blazing comet of talent that could burn close friends and loved ones with his proximity.
Bravo Daid Hodge. The worlds a better place for having your book in it.
