Legendary legend and filmmaker John Waters has a new book out, Role Models. The book profiles his heroes which include stripper Zorro and Johnny Mathis. If the excerpt, the Johnny Mathis story, is any indication, this book is brilliant! Waters recounts seeing Johnny Mathis in the parking lot of the long-gone Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard with photographer Greg Gorman. Years later, as he is writing Role Models, he creates an opportunity to actually meet the legendary singer. What is apparent is that Waters has nothing but respect for Johnny Mathis as an icon and talent: "If Johnny Mathis has any regrets, it's that he listened to an early manager who advised him, "Don't mention jazz. There's no money in it." "I wanted to be Miles Davis," Johnny remembers. "Jazz legends. That's what I wanted to be. They were artists." He was "embarrassed around jazz people to be known for romantic music," "trivialized." When I mention that Johnny was a millionaire at twenty years old, he almost doesn't hear. "That had nothing to do with what I was about. I never wanted to be anything but a good singer."
Role Models is also testimony to John Waters particular sense of humor as he confesses that his own sartorial style was inspired by by none other than the Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton. On being an openly gay celebrity: "Gus Van Sant and I always joke about the press saying we are "openly" gay. What's that supposed to mean? It sounds like we're arriving at a premiere shrieking, "Hey, Mary! Got any Judy Garland records?" And my personal favorite: "Whenever they have John Waters look-alike contests at the colleges where I appear, lesbians win!"
John Waters is of and from another generation, that is clear. His fascination for Johnny Mathis is deeply rooted in growing up in the 50s, where the Mathis magic was always the soundtrack to any kissing scene. He also mentions singer Johnnie Ray (who I did meet in my youth) and Cyril Ritchard, who played Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Most people don't know who these people are, but Waters pays homage to his past with a reverence and understanding that is so rare these days.





















