Q. Dear Sir Partridge,
As a long-time admirer of your supreme songwriting prowess, I have a somewhat esoteric question. Imagine for a moment that back in the early 80's, you had a string of platinum singles to your credit, became every bit as much a household word as Michael Jackson, and had to wade through $100 bills to move about your house. Do you feel you would have followed the same path toward deep exploration of the muse, or might you have been dragged down by the decadent fame-inducing ego stroke and actually not had as rich a career (in the right sense of the word)?


Tom Slack
(an old fart who is still writing songs despite 30 years of anonymity and who doesn't have to care the slightest if what I do next bears any resemblance to what I did before)

A. Slacky Slacky Slackster, Fame and riches at a young age has been the ruiner of many a young band.


Bit like being propelled straight to the top of Everest and finding the only way you can go is down.For me failure and rejection has been wonderful, its the acid in my battery. You cant underestimate it. Each time you bring out what you consider to be a killer album, the best ever, and its ignored, it really fires you up to make the next one EVEN better. Embrace failure and rejection they are your best friends.


Andy