“I’ve always felt that the word no was just another opportunity for me to create my own destiny.” Andy Kim
In 1974, he wrote a song that no one believed in. After singing, writing and producing, he hired studio musicians and then started a record label. When he won his Billboard 100 gold record, it was presented to him by John Lennon.
Growing up in Montreal in the 70s, Andy Kim’s music was part of my childhood soundtrack. From the Archies to the Monkees, his catchy melodies and sweet lyrics encapsulated love and innocence during a pivotal moment in music history and sparked my own obsession with music.
Graciously speaking to me via Zoom from LA on the 50th anniversary of Rock Me Gently, Andy showed no signs of slowing down. Ever so humble, full of humour and wisdom, he is still very much in the game. Working on new music, still performing live, and asking very important questions.
So how do you feel about celebrating the 50th anniversary of your song? Does it blow your mind?
I’m always interested in celebrating something. And it’s just kind of surreal, to be honest with you. I don’t know how there’s this avalanche of interest this week. I’m excited about it. It brings back a lot of memories, brings back the fact that no one wanted to sign me in the US. And I’ve always felt that the word no was just another opportunity for me to create my own destiny.
I started my own label in Canada. I was the artist, the writer the producer, the publisher and then I became a record company. Not that I wanted to do that but I just really loved this song and I just didn’t want it to not be available to anyone who wanted to hear. Many months later, we hit number one on Billboard and John Lennon gave me my gold record. Freeze frame.
Wow.
So for me that song just reminded me again about who I am. I grew up in the tenement of Montreal on St Denis and de Castelnau near Jean Talon. That time it wasn’t what it is now. And my whole career is based on a dream.
I think that song is a testament… of believing in yourself. It’s not just a love song… I know in the early 70s you were at a point where nobody wanted to publish you. Your 5 minutes of fame were up. Like ohh he wrote Sugar Sugar and a bunch of bubble gum songs and he’s over… but you had that song that you really believed in…You hired musicians, you produced, you did it all on your own because the belief was so strong.
I know you left Montreal as a teenager with a guitar and a dream. It just sounds like it needs to be either a Netflix series or on HBO. How have you not written a biography yet?
Some people have come to me and talked about a documentary. Look I’m the third of four brothers, my mom and dad were immigrants from the mountains of Lebanon. They came to Montreal and I lived a life that was filled with love at home and had a dream. But it’s the discovery of who you are that’s more important than anything.
I heard something that I’ve held onto for the longest time and that is ; I am living my one and only life with no sequel. And I think everyone is living their one and only life with no sequel but I really took it upon myself to just understand that every moment, every second, every decision is mine. I’m not trying to be my brothers. I’m not trying to be another artist… It was just who am I and what am I doing? And I love this thought; what are you doing with your one and only life? And through my life when I’ve asked that question, not that many people understood the question. And it’s such an important question to ask.
That’s where you find love, understanding and forgiveness. Don’t waste your time with the people that talk about you, don’t like you or a situation that’s bad. We all make those decisions even though we know it’s our one time around.
Yeah, but it’s like your purpose and your intention were so clear from a young age and it was about songwriting, but the songwriting brought you to so many other places.
For the last few years I’ve come to your Christmas concert in Montreal and I bring my son and now he’s a fan. So you have young fans right now which is really cool. There’s a nice resurgence of 60s and 70s and that kind of rock, which I love.
Yes.
You could have taken your Sugar Sugar money and your Rock Me Gently money and disappeared on a Greek island and just lived like a tycoon if you wanted to. Yet you are schlepping yourself with musicians, without pay, in Canadian winter to do these concerts. I mean Canadian winter… I just have to say, that is bigger than the music, that’s bigger than the song. Right?
Well…Montreal winter is what I knew. I feel like I’m doing this for myself.
You know I’m doing this because there’s a joy in my doing this. The joy in the fact that talented musicians with hit records upon hit records are willing to give their time to join us for free so we can help a charity. And it’s never been about the money, you know. It’s always been about: so what are you doing with your one and only life? I’m not here to tell someone else how to live their life. A lot of people would take the money and live in the Bahamas but maybe that’s what they wanted to do. I wanted to be around musicians all my life, ever since I was a kid.
I was told as an artist that you’re only as good as your last 2 minutes and 30 seconds… And I adored that business because knowing that you only have two minutes and 30 seconds left in your life, you’re gonna be inspired to do something. Although there were years when nothing really happened and then Rock Me Gently happened and so many other opportunities showed up and I’m so grateful for everything. And even when I became irrelevant, I never thought of myself as irrelevant, I’m just living my life. Doing what it is I wanna do.
So what’s happening now with you? What are you up to lately?
You know what? I’m just talking to you. It’s a pleasure. And I hope to meet you in person one day… basically Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) and I are getting together. We’re writing songs. So we’re going into the studio. And because of him and that album (It’s Decided)… it’s another generation. He just kind of opened up so many experiences for me. So, Sometimes I think I’m on the back porch of my days and then I get together with Kevin and it’s seamless. I’m having a great life. I’m having a great time. And I’m honoured that so many people have loved my music and are celebrating this song with me after 50 years.
I was thinking you know… You and Mick Jagger are still performing.
I don’t know if I would put myself in the same category. (Andy leans back in his chair and gives a hearty laugh.)
I’ve seen him perform, and I’ve seen you doing what you love, doing what you enjoy, doesn’t just keep you young mentally, it keeps you healthy. When you’re happy, it doesn’t feel like work. It keeps you young at heart as well.
Look, I’m gonna ride this as long as God wants me to ride it. Someone asked me recently, do you pray and I said yes. My evening prayer is thank you God for this day. And my morning prayer is thank you God for this day. That’s it. C’est finit c’est la guerre.
Watch the full interview below:
Annette Aghazarian
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