I first met Debbie Gold in 2006. I was working in the music business in a shared office complex in Union Square shared by a handful of other music companies. Debbie would show up randomly and spend her time in the offices of one of the executives renting a space. Many in my “work crew” didn’t know who she was at first, but when we heard her laugh, we sure knew she was there.
Over time, Debbie and I eventually met and from our first conversation I knew she was someone special. She had the most amazing Rock ‘n Roll stories I ever heard from one person. So amazing, in fact, that many would think they were bullshit until eventually realizing her life was just that interesting.
It’s hard to say what Debbie did because she did everything. Artist management, music supervision, licensing, tour support — and I’m only scratching the surface. When Debbie and I became friends, her next endeavor was creating a board game mashup of The Grateful Dead and Monopoly. There were hundreds if not thousands of Monopoly-style games, but Debbie’s was going to be different. It was going to be created with the involvement of the band.
Many thought what she was doing was impossible, and they had reason to believe that. The odds were stacked against her — legally, creatively, monetarily — but not only did she do it, she did it in a way that exceeded anyone’s expectations. I am honored to say that I was invovled in the process of bringing Grateful DeadOpoly to life and to witness her genius in action.
After Grateful DeadOpoly, Debbie’s next endeavor was recreating classic album covers into jigsaw puzzles. I remember brainstorming the idea with her and we talked about how it would be amazing if they were double-sided and sized just like the classic 12" records. Well, needless to say — she did that as well. (My personal favorite is Bob Dylan’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.)
Only Debbie could bring these projects to life. Her amazing career in the music business, infectious personality and entrepreneurial spirit were the perfect mix that allowed her to do anything she put her mind to.
Debbie and I had a great symbiotic relationship. Being literally half her age, we were both teachers to each other. While I would help her understand digital marketing and emerging technology, she would introduce me to the world of music supervision in film. I remember one film she was working on where the soundtrack was to be scored by Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock. Not the first name you’d think about when creating instrumental music for film, but Debbie had the idea and ran with it. I can attest that the demos he created were unbelievably good — more than I ever imagined. She had a vision unlike anyone I ever met in regards to the limits that people could push themselves musically and be successful.
I could go on for days sharing the amazing stories that Debbie shared with me, and there are hundreds more people that knew her longer than I that can say the same. Of all her tales, my favorite was how she was involved in bringing The Traveling Wilburys together. The Traveling Wilburys have been one of my favorite bands (or “supergroups” if you will) since I was a child. Volume 1 is one of my all time favorite records even to this day, and to hear her behind-the-scenes telling of recording the album would leave me speechless. In fact, when the album was reissued a few years back with a bonus documentary DVD, I swear I think I can see her in the background hanging out with Petty, Dylan, Harris et al.
One of my favorite songs off of Volume 1 is “End of the Line,” although it now holds a new meaning for me. If there’s one song I can say that sums up Debbie Gold, it’s “End of the Line.” Every lyric in that song is exactly how she lived her life. Regardless if you knew Debbie or not, have a listen to that song and take a moment to remember that life is short and you should make the most of it and no matter how old and and gray you are, you still have something to say.
"End of the Line”
Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand
You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring
Well it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it’s all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s all right, everyday is Judgment Day
Maybe somewhere down the road aways
You’ll think of me, wonder where I am these days
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze
Well it’s all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s all right, if you got someone to love
Well it’s all right, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line
Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive
I’m glad to be here, happy to be alive
It don’t matter if you’re by my side
I’m satisfied
Well it’s all right, even if you’re old and gray
Well it’s all right, you still got something to say
Well it’s all right, remember to live and let live
Well it’s all right, the best you can do is forgive
Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, even if the sun don’t shine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line
