Book Review by DAN MACINTOSH
‘Euphoric Recall’
By Peter Jesperson
Minnesota Historical Society Press
Being a longtime fan of The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Husker Du (and other Minnesota performers), one name kept coming up in news stories about these 1980s greats. That name was Peter Jesperson.
Who is this mystery man, and why was he always the right place at the right time in the company of all the cool acts? “Euphoric Recall” is Peter Jesperson’s autobiography, and it takes some of the mystery out of his life story. It also adds fascinating context to Minnesota alternative rock history.
The book’s title comes from chapter eight, which details Jesperson’s alcoholism and recovery. The term “euphoric recall” refers to remembering past negative experiences in a positive light, which may increase the risk of relapse, Jesperson’s counselor explained to him while he was in rehab. Yes, Jesperson might have put too positive a spin on his wild drinking days, but the term has a double meaning. Euphoric recall also accurately describes the way Jesperson, an avid music lover and fanatic going all the way back to when he first heard the Beatles, has always experienced hearing music.
Growing up, Jesperson worked at a performing arts center, a record store, and a radio station; all to be around where music was either being performed or played. He’s pictured on the book’s cover wearing over-the-ear headphones, which finds him contentedly portrait-ed in his happy place.
Jesperson helped start Twin/Tone Records, and later New West Records, which is how his name became associated first with Minnesota acts, and later, national and international Americana performers. He was the young man that signed and first managed The Replacements to Twin/Tone.
There are a few chapters dedicated to that rocky road he traveled with those unpredictable, but immensely talented, Replacements. He was at all their first shows, which could be amazingly great or intolerably awful, depending upon the night and the amount of pre-show alcohol consumed. This fly-on-the-wall insight alone makes his book a must-read for Replacements fans. It may not be as detailed as Bob Mehr’s Trouble Boys biography, but it does put the four-piece in a much more positive light. Mehr told the group — ugliness and all — but Jesperson truly loved/loves these young musicians, and it shows.
In addition to managing The Replacements, Jesperson also worked with R.E.M. back during that act’s early days. He and that band’s guitarist, Peter Buck, come off like brothers from another mother, as both are obsessed with discovering, enjoying and sharing beloved music.
Toward the book’s end, the reader gets to relive those heady days when “the record business” devolved from a physical product operation,to a digital one. This has been a difficult transition for guys (like Jesperson) that live to listen to prized records and share favorite music with friends.
Through it all, though, Peter Jesperson’s passion has not subsided. One is left convinced he’s going to be a fanatical music fan until the day he dies. His story is one many of us can relate to; we just want to be as close as possible to where fantastic music is being created. However, he’s just been closer than most of us will ever get, when it comes to experiencing that special euphoria only amazing Rock N Roll music can create.
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