Dewey Cox: The Rolling Stone Interview

Listen to a special audio documentary on Dewey Cox featuring RS contributing editor David Wild.


Dewey Cox is one of the legends of rock & roll: the center of seemingly every musical movement from the Fifties onward, friend of both Elvis Presley and the Beatles, father of twenty-two children. He's also the central character in the extremely funny biopic parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, co-written by producer Judd Apatow and director Jake Kasdan. Being fictional, Cox doesn't do many interviews, but actor John C. Reilly, who plays him in the movie, provided Cox's answers to our questions.

Do you think you're a genius?

I wouldn't limit myself like that. I am also a shaman, a living deity and an omnipotent bodhisattva.

How did you get the name Dewey?

When I was born, my father (who loved my older brother Nate so much) said to my mama, "Do we have to keep it?" He kept asking her the same question over and over as I got older. I kept hearing him say "Do we? Do we?" and it just stuck, I guess. My middle name is Really.

Which is harder — walking hard or rocking hard?

They are both easy for me, actually. I was born hard and I am hard, no matter what activity I am involved in. Sounds painful, but that is my life. A lot of things chafe you when you're hard all the time.

You've been called the "Chameleon" — why did you change your musical style so often?

My musical style has always set the style for whatever era I was in. I've been called many things and they all fall short of capturing my essence. You can't put Cox in a box and if you try to hold on to Cox too tight your hands become slippery.

What's the best song you ever recorded that was never released?

"Karma Chameleon." That chick from Culture Club was hanging around the studio, and after I told her I wanted to break off our thing, she stole it and put it out first.

What's the best advice you ever got?

When entering a room for an orgy, try to be the first guy in the room and keep your back to a wall.

Who would win in a fistfight, you or Bob Dylan?

I have no beef with Robert Dylan. If I did, I know we would resolve it like rock legends do — by fucking each other's girlfriends behind each other's backs.

What qualities do you look for in a drummer?

He has to have the right timing. Like how long does it take him to score weed in a new town or how fast can he fashion a bong from objects in a hotel room? It's really all about influences too, and how under the influence they can get me.

What was the inspiration behind your Free Love Christmas album?

I was into hairy chicks at the time and it seemed like a good way to get a lot of hippie freaks out to the house for the holidays. Many people have told me that my behind is inspirational on the album cover.

If you compared your vocal technique to an animal, which animal would it be?

It would be the lonesome whippoorwill, that legendary lonely bird, but with the genitals of a horse and the power of a bull moose.

Who's your musical hero?

If I said Dewey Cox, would that be conceited? It would? Too fucking bad. I have the charisma of two Elvis Presleys and the poetry of 10,000 Bon Jovis. Other than me, I'd have to say Jack White. That pale young man and his sister scare me.

Do you know if the president ever heard your song "Dear Mr. President"?

I think he did. He sent me some cufflinks with the presidential seal on them. Actually now that I look at the note that came with them, it is written in a woman's handwriting. I guess the first lady is into Cox. You know what they say about librarians. All business until those glasses come off and the hair comes down.

What is your spiritual stance?

My spiritual stance is similar to my stance in a bathroom stall, very wide. I understand some members of Congress worship Dewey Cox. Someone told me that while I was on a layover in Minneapolis.

Why have you done so few interviews in your career?

Everyone wants to get a hold of Cox, but I prefer to play hard to get. People are always claiming I meant things I didn't and I got sick of letting them play with Cox.

What do you want written on your tombstone?

"I may be dead but I'm still hard." Also — "Don't step on Cox."