Wall of Sheep
Jim Kelley
knows the answer to and nobody cares about, but I've been wonderin'.....
The song "Behind the Wall of Sleep" by the Smithereens (not Black
Sabbath) is apparently about a deceased female (presumably) bass
player. Anybody know if they're singing about a real person, and if
so, who?
Thanks for your indulgence,
jk
RJM
Hey Jim,
The girl was the bass player from the Bristols, Kim Ernst. See
below. An old band of mine used to open up for them around Boston
back in the 80's-90's. See below.
Rob
The Bristols are a band of great reputation and 'fame' in the Boston
area as a working rock band. Despite years of hard work and local
popularity, they never landed a major label recording contract, and
thus remain largely unheard by the masses. Their claim to national
fame, if any, lies with bassist Kim Ernst, who is married to a member
of The Replacements. (not sure which, but it's not Paul Westerberg.)
According to Pat DiNizio songwriter for The Smithereens, the hit song
'Behind The Wall Of Sleep,' "was written on an airplane from Boston to
New York City about a girl <<Kim Ernst>> who played bass in a band
called The Bristols in Boston." The Bristols' heyday was the late 80s
and early 90s, though they still continue to this day.
RJM
Oh and by the way she's not dead (not as far as I know anyway).
Jim Kelley
Well, maybe 'In Front of the Wall of Sleep' doesn't quite have the
same ring to it. :-)
It's good of you to share this with me. Thank you. Nice to finally
have the mystery solved.
I guess for me, my 'Wall of Sleep' bass player was Jean Millington
from Fanny. I saw her play in 1970 or so. She also stood like Bill
Wyman. And apparently she's 'not quite dead yet' either, thankfully.
jk
RJM
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yeah I can't blame DiNizio, Kim was pretty hot (probably still is).
There weren't many female bass players around Boston back then so she
really stood out.
I had never heard of Jean Millington until your post, looks like she
is still playing, http://www.slamminbabes.com. Looks like she may
have been something in her day. She's playing a cool P-Bass, looks
like a late 60's early 70's from the picture. I've never known anyone
to play with the (string?) cover on like she is in the picture.
From what I can remember Kim was pretty creeped out by the song being
written about her.
Jim Kelley
RJM wrote:
> Yeah I can't blame DiNizio, Kim was pretty hot (probably still is).
Ummm, slightly.
http://thephoenix.com/Boston//Music/35946-On-smelling-a-Rat/
> There weren't many female bass players around Boston back then so she
> really stood out.
> I had never heard of Jean Millington until your post, looks like she
> is still playing, http://www.slamminbabes.com. Looks like she may
> have been something in her day. She's playing a cool P-Bass, looks
> like a late 60's early 70's from the picture. I've never known anyone
> to play with the (string?) cover on like she is in the picture.
They totally rocked. It was like, "these are girls?!!! Good for them,
they crank!" I think they led the way for others in that regard.
> From what I can remember Kim was pretty creeped out by the song being
> written about her.
Maybe kinda like having "Every Breath You Take" written about you from
afar? ;-)
jk