# Mike Gordon (Bassist of Phish) is a Pervert **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 19, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207 "2003-08-19T14:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/21 "2003-08-21T20:30:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sugaree \* > Why was Phish security there? It wasn’t a Phish show. All I can tell you is there were 3 security men. One, named Simon, was Gordon’s “guard” and two others (that might have been on the Dead payroll). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > …We’re talking about pissing distance from about 30,000 people. If you can piss even 1/50th the distance Gordon & the girl were from any other people, I suggest you call Guiness. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*“Art pictures.” [snort] \*\* Exactly. Give the cynic a cigar. It’s a little troubling to read the “he was stoned,” “he’s avant-garde” & “blame the whacko parents” defenses being put up. He **abducted** a 9 year old girl - cut and dry, plain and simple. That in and of itself is a perverted action in my opinion. If anyone can really condone Gordon’s actions, I have a book about molestation written by Pete Townsend I’d like to sell you. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/22 "2003-08-21T20:39:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Later, in a conference call, the manager said Gordon’s trying to “make amends” with the family. The girl’s father added that “muckraking journalists should put the story to rest.” [WNBC.com](http://www.wnbc.com/entertainment/2414323/detail.html) Maybe muckraking posters should also follow Dad’s advice. Otherwise, he might beat the shit out of you. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/23 "2003-08-21T20:44:54Z")
Excuse the profanity. Now why did I believe I was in the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/24 "2003-08-21T21:03:00Z")
**JohnBckWLD** , I’m amazed you have no problem calling this guy a Pervert, while, at the same time, admitting: “No one implied he was molesting her and test results confirm he didn’t. The pictures contained in the camera were suggestive, but by no means pornographic or illegal.” You also take another leap of logic and try to ascribe the motive that he wanted to rape her, kill her, and dump her body in the lake. For Og’s sake, the parents of the kid are saying it was an unfortunate misunderstanding. It isn’t just the muckraking journalists who should put this to rest. ---
**Author:** ![coyasicanbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@coyasicanbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coyasicanbe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/25 "2003-08-21T21:14:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnBckWLD \* > \*\*So far so good. Only minor discrepancies: He was giving all the kids backstage a ride and was even visible to the crowd while the Dead were on stage. Fact is everyone was cool and having a good time. Whether Gordon picked her because of her age, photogenic qualities or gullibility is anyone’s guess. > It was 20, not 10. But even after 1 minute, I’d freak to if my 9 year old disappeared. > > Well a few facts as I understand them: Scooter parked backstage right. Gordon & 9 year-old nowhere to be found. Search commences. He took (abducted/kidnapped) her, without permission through a long tunnel that wraps around the back of the shell (arc shaped amphitheater). Following along a 24" wide pier and through a state park houseboat on onto a smaller vessel - completely out of view of every person there by at least 100 curved, twisted yards. Daughter wasn’t returned to parents, she was found by father / others. When they found Gordon, he was wearing a life vest, the child wasn’t. First reaction of witnesses: he was up to no good. Phish security arrived within a minute after the Angels found him. They let the Angels extract a little of their own brand justice with the proviso they didn’t kill him and kept face shots to a minimum. NYS security got wind and called in the cops. The did pop a few ribs and took a little vengeance out on his nads. No shit or urine was kicked outta him - he released that own his own. > Gordon was wrong. Period. Artisitic photos or not. No one implied he was molesting her and test results confirm he didn’t. The pictures contained in the camera were suggestive, but by no means pornographic or illegal. > The reason the parents have downplayed this is something I don’t agree with. Here’s their philosophy - I’ll paraphrase it the best I can. You kick the shit outta someone who spouts off or fucks w/you in a bar or out on the street. Gordon’s act went way beyond a simple dissing. His actions deserve either being sliced up _or_ paying big time financial restitution. So the next time you see Gordon up on stage playing bass, you can rest assured it was the latter. \*\* Do you have a cite for any of this? I mean besides the linked news article that reads like it was written by a 12 year-old (“The DA’s office says the evidence is being evaluated. Regardless of whether Gordon has to face a judge next month, law-enforcement sources say unofficial justice was already delivered. The Hell’s Angels, who detained Gordon for police, were not, the sources say, gentle with sensitive areas of the rock star’s body.”) Sure, that’s professional writing. And whom, exactly, are these “law enforcement sources” that are so clever with a phrase. This whole story seems to be strange at best, and unbelievable at worst. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/26 "2003-08-21T21:58:49Z")
> [@](#): > > krazy kat, I think that he means that the bassist is well-known for doing really bizarre stuff already, whereas the others aren’t, which would leave less precedent for absconding with a little girl with only good intentions. Yes, that’s what I meant. My defense of Mike (as regards pedophilia, anyway–I won’t disagree that this was really stupid) is not based in blind devotion for a band I’ve been a fan of for nearly a decade. It’s based in the fact that, from what I’ve observed in Mike’s behavior and his art in that time, it’s easier to believe that he was being weird and artistic and displaying bad judgement than to believe he is a pedophile. That said, I will admit that my fandom slants me, just as I recognize that **JohnBckWLD** ’s account is both second-hand and one-sided. > [@](#): > > I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Gordon get quietly dropped from the band for “artistic differences” sometime in the next few months. I wouldn’t count on it. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/27 "2003-08-21T23:18:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnBckWLD \* > He **abducted** a 9 year old girl - cut and dry, plain and simple. That in and of itself is a perverted action in my opinion. Well, sure, abduct, as in lead away, literally. If the mother knew she was with him, though, I don’t exactly think it’s cut, dry, plain, or simple. It’s good to be protective of children, **John** , but for someone who doesn’t know what happened, you sound awfully sure of yourself. Are you the bassist from Phish? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/28 "2003-08-21T23:39:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnBckWLD \* > \*\* If anyone can really condone Gordon’s actions, I have a book about molestation written by Pete Townsend I’d like to sell you. \*\* “Research” and “Art pictures”. Yeah, thats right. Don’t you know celebrities rarely do time? Justice is withdrawn from a bank account. * * * How is Rap like Porno? Both are better with the sound turned off. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/29 "2003-08-22T01:06:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnBckWLD \* > **All I can tell you is there were 3 security men. One, named Simon, was Gordon’s “guard” and two others (that might have been on the Dead payroll).** Hm. Mike may want to reevaluate his bodyguard hiring procedures. Might want to emphasize the part of the job description involving protection. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > **The life jacket thing is also very creepy.** The life jacket has not been in any news article I’ve seen. The only mention of a life jacket has been by JohnBckWLD, who is repeating what his source has said. I have no reason to doubt JohnBckWLD’s sincerity, but until further notice I have to file it with all the other unverified 'net rumors. **Doctor J** , the many bad puns that the newspapers are using must be truly painful for you. ---
**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/30 "2003-08-22T01:25:22Z")
On second reading of the OP, **John** , I think that you’re speaking like a total ass, unless you know exactly what’s on the film. If the girl is making a kissy face at the camera, I’m sure the press would have no trouble describing it as “suggestive”, but it would be a stretch to call it a “sick, demented pedophile fantasy”, as you put it. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/31 "2003-09-21T16:56:46Z")
I’m really a little nervous about resurrecting this thread but [the charges were dropped on Friday](http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1983490). Phish announced tour dates for fall on Thursday, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/32 "2003-09-22T13:21:59Z")
I wonder if people will start throwing things at him when he gets on stage, like barbie dolls in little life jackets? ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/33 "2003-09-22T14:34:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knowed Out \* > \*\*I wonder if people will start throwing things at him when he gets on stage, like barbie dolls in little life jackets? \*\* That would be both inappropriate and in very poor taste. Kim Possible dolls with swimmies on her phorearms would be much more _suit_-able. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/34 "2003-09-22T14:50:20Z")
Well… giving Hell’s Angels backstage run of the place was the first mistake… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207/35 "2003-09-22T17:17:49Z")
Let’s see… there’s been no evidence (and no suggestion by anybody actually involved in the case) that the girl was molested or harmed. The pictures he took were apparently clean and didn’t trouble the court. The parents started apologizing a day or two later and saying they didn’t want a big deal made of this. The charges have been dropped. Yeah, it makes LOTS of sense to call Gordon a pervert based on _that_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-gordon-bassist-of-phish-is-a-pervert/196207.md?page=1)