It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with guitar guru Damon Johnson a few months back. The co-founder of Brother Cane, the band helped shoot Johnson onto the national scene – partially thanks to three number one hits on rock radio, namely: “Got No Shame”, “And Fools Shine On”, and “I Lie in the Bed I Make”. And, for horror fans, “And Fools Shine On” was used in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (the sixth entry in the franchise).
Disbanding in 1998, Johnson has been in demand ever since. He has worked (either touring or writing/recording) with Sammy Hagar (album: Marching to Mars), Faith Hill, John Waite, Whiskey Falls, Queensrÿche, Stevie Nicks, as well as many others (including his own solo projects). In 2004, he joined Alice Cooper as his lead guitarist. . . also co-writing and recording the superlative album Dirty Diamonds – some standout songs include, “Woman of Mass Distraction”, “Perfect”, “Dirty Diamonds”, and “Sunset Babies (All Got Rabies)”. On the road for five consecutive tours until 2011 (I saw them back in 2006), he was asked to join another iconic rock band, Thin Lizzy – Cooper gave him his blessing, and he made the jump.
Touring for a few years with original Thin Lizzy band members Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, and Darren Wharton, soon they decided to record new material. Not wanting to work under the same name without original frontman Phil Lynott (who died back in 1986), Johnson co-founded Black Star Riders in December, 2012, along with singer Ricky Warwick, co-lead guitarist Scott Gorham, bassist Marco Mendoza, and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. Johnson has since co-written three albums for the band, 2013’s All Hell Breaks Loose, 2015’s The Killer Instinct, and 2017’s Heavy Fire. Check out some footage from their March 25th concert in Ottawa – performing the iconic rock tune “Jailbreak” to a packed audience (from the crowds’ perspective, Johnson can be found to the immediate left of singer Ricky Warwick at the beginning of the video).
More than gracious with his time, Johnson sat down with me and discussed his fascinating career. When the conversation turned to his favourite film, Johnson did not take more than a second to cite Tombstone as the movie that sits atop his list. Make sure to check out the interview below to hear some in-depth stories from the life of a rock star, some suggestions as to which new bands you should check out, as well as how Tombstone fits into the band’s name and onstage intro.
Following the Earp brothers, Wyatt (Kurt Russell), Virgil (Sam Elliott), and Morgan (Bill Paxton), and their significant others, the three retired lawmen are finally looking for a safer life – especially Wyatt, who is hoping to leave his well known persona behind as they move west. Along the way, they meet old friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), a southern charmer known for his prolific gunplay, gambling skills, and all round bacchanal behaviour. He is slowly deteriorating due to tuberculosis. With a touch of dandy, Kilmer delivers lines with a cheeky touch, for instance, when a cowboy shouts, “I got you now Doc, you son of a bitch!”, he quickly retorts, “You’re a daisy if you do!” – reportedly true, it was quoted in the newspaper after the shootout at the O.K. Corral.
Settling in the booming mine town of Tombstone, Arizona, the brothers immediately find work, negotiating an arrangement with a high-end saloon owner after having ousted a troublesome dealer (a small, but memorable role from Billy Bob Thornton). . . it is also a perfect haunt for Holliday.
But all is not right in the boomtown, as an early version of an organized crime ring basically runs the city. Though there is a town Mayor (Terry O’Quinn), he is at his wit’s end, while the Sheriff (Jon Tenney) and his Deputy (Jason Priestley) are more interested in making money through business rather than their duties, and they are actually quite chummy with the gang.
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with Michael Rooker (far right) – who plays Sherman McMasters. Also in this photo: Josh McDermitt (left) and Scott Wilson (middle right)
Known for the red sashes they wear, these cowboy deviants are led by Curly Bill Brocius (Powers Boothe) and his right hand man, expert shot Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn), making Tombstone a place of danger and ill repute. Other key members of the gang include chicken-hearted Ike Clanton (Stephen Lang), his brother Billy (Thomas Haden Church), and Sherman McMasters (Michael Rooker) – a man who is unsure of the cowboys’ duplicitous tactics.
New to the town are an acting troupe, led by Mr. Fabian (Billy Zane) and Josephine Marcus (Dana Delany) – and, as these things go, Wyatt and Josephine are immediately smitten, despite him being in a common-law relationship. . . further complicating his new life in the frontier.
Eventually, Virgil has had enough, much to the chagrin of Wyatt. Unwilling to live in a town where people are afraid to walk the streets (day or night), he becomes Marshal, putting a very severe set of laws in place (including a firearms ban in the city). This ruffles the feathers of the cowboys, leading things down a slippery slope.
A tale etched in the annals of history, screenwriter Kevin Jarre was originally meant to direct the feature. . . though after falling behind early, the first time filmmaker was ousted. . . with director George G. Cosmatos being brought in to speed things up. In an interesting revelation brought forth much later, Russell revealed that he actually directed most of the picture (with Cosmatos there as a yes man, as well as to aid in things running smoothly) – Kilmer has since backed up the long hidden story (out of respect, they waited until after the credited director had passed away – a deal they had made while on set). So, to perhaps be more accurate, Russell brings the epic story to vivid life (though, like any movie, not always accurately). Intriguingly though, one of the film’s central action pieces, a gunfight that takes place in and around a creek, is almost exactly as it happened in real life (the story having been recounted by the lone survivor of the cowboys. . . who died soon after). And, of course, the Wyatt brothers are famous for being a part of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral (an integral part of the film). Then, there are the smart decisions such as filming mostly in Arizona – the set and authentic-style wool costumes a perfect background for the feature. Even little touches, like a tombstone that reads, “Here lies Lester Moor four slugs from a 44 no less no more” are authentic, as there is an actual grave marker in the city that reads thusly.
Perhaps the largest criticism lies within its greatest strength – its impressive, seemingly endless cast. Even with a runtime of two hours and ten minutes, there is not enough time to truly develop some of the characters’ personas or clarify their background motives, a shame to be sure, though it does not sully the still entertaining motion picture, nor does it take away from the dynamic performances – with Kilmer, Russell, Lang, and Boothe deserving additional kudos.
A modern classic western (packed with quotable dialogue – if you are looking for a film with countless witty insults, you’ve found it), Tombstone is chalk full of homages to the earlier days of the genre. Screen legend Charlton Heston makes an extended cameo, while Robert Mitchum narrated the film (both icons were in quite a few westerns). . . and in a semblance of foreshadowing, Powers Boothe and Paula Malcomson (who plays Allie Earp), would both go on to have major roles in arguably the best television western of the modern age – Deadwood. Similarly, Harry Carey Jr. appears as Marshal Fred White, his father starred in several westerns (directed by John Ford) during the silent era – Wyatt Earp, then in Hollywood, was an advisor on the films, often visiting the sets to aid in accuracy. Another nice touch finds Wyatt Earp’s fifth cousin, also named Wyatt Earp, playing Bill Claiborne. Lastly, composer Bruce Broughton’s score often pays ode to Max Steiner’s memorable music from The Searchers, the classic western starring John Wayne, and directed by John Ford. So, get the hell out of Dodge and make your way to Tombstone, Arizona, it’s a showdown you don’t wanna miss.