The Days and Nights of Brad Gooch

Writer, teacher and former model Brad Gooch's "gay in 1970s and '80s New York City" memoir -- which doubles as a love letter to filmmaker Howard Brookner ("Burroughs: The Movie," "Bloodhounds of Broadway"), his lover who died of AIDS in 1989 -- sounds like a must-read. 

The New York Times writes:

Mr. Brookner was a habitué of Paradise Garage and Mudd Club. Mr. Gooch opted for more carnal venues, like Toilet and Mineshaft, which had a strict dress code, outlawing, among other things, designer sweaters and cologne (but walking around in a jockstrap was encouraged). Mr. Gooch recounts a bouncer throwing a man down the stairs for wearing loafers. Continue reading the main story “Smash Cut,” which traces their evolution as a libertine couple, is a portrait of a city that no longer exists. The themes, though not derivative, can evoke a gay (or gayer) version of Patti Smith’s “Just Kids.” In fact, Robert Mapplethorpe shot the first images for Mr. Gooch’s modeling portfolio. The cocaine-fueled session is recounted in the book, as are cocaine-fueled runway shows.

At 63 Gooch is still stunning. Bummed I turned down a chance to be on an LGBT memoir panel with him, although something tells me I won't be missed!

Order "Smash Cut: A Memoir of Howard & Art & the '70s & the '80s" HERE.