My father was a career Naval Officer and I understand the shadow cast by their service and sacrifice. It took a few years in service for me to slightly understand the sacrifice. I did not really understand until about my 10th year of Naval service when I got married and had children.
I have seen the dynamic from both perspectives. I was rebellious, but the Lizard King took it to a degree that is hard to grasp. He shamed his father and his name. He was not a man to look up to or idolize. He was a boy for his whole life. Peter frickin’ Pan on acid.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. He was a “boy” for his whole life, but that life was so short (because of his own foolish choices) that no one can ever know what some years may have brought. I’m not defending him by any stretch. I never even liked him or his music as far as that goes. As I said, the whole thing went directly to a conversation I’d had just last night. Two struggling Music Row songwriters opening up about how each of us had reacted/responded to our respective younger lives. Each one’s different experiences with the military and the efforts to “prove ourselves” to our Dads.