By Gordon Durich
If you even slightly resemble an Andy Warhol aficionado (like this writer) and remember the song “Walk On The Wild Side” by Lou Reed, you need to read Jeff Copeland’s latest book “Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn.” Subtitled “A Walk On The Wild Side With Andy Warhol’s Most Fabulous Superstar,” this is a story of the power of guts and transformation.
Holly Woodlawn was that “Holly” in Lou Reed’s unforgettable cryptic 70’s single and is the pivotal character in the story that speaks to fate and fame. Loosely depicted at first blush as a kind of rags-to-riches romp, “Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn,” heats up when the fading star of Warhol’s films including “Trash” “happened” to meet the country boy who moves to Hollywood, Jeff Copeland.
Both starry-eyed and at different phases of their careers, their meeting changed both their lives. Forever.
From the first page, I was drawn in by a story that could have almost been my own, if the circumstances and countries were different. Copeland had ambition and drive and where else do you go with such big dreams but Hollywood or New York? And Holly did them both… Hitchhiking from “F-L-A” (Florida) to NYC.
This is worth finding, if you like “chance meetings” – this story shows that when friendship and raw ambition entwine, the world can change dramatically, despite the odds. Both titillating and tragic.
As a compulsive creative, having experienced publishers’ rejections and finding funding for a film now, it spoke to me loudly! Also making dreams become reality.
The color and dramatic black and white pictures of Holly in Hollywood and other material are a tonic.
Published by Feral Press in February, kind of hot-of-the proverbial press… this great book relating a story about friendship and fortitude would translate fabulously onto screen.
