I Remember Corey Haim

I knew something was up.

Things have been quiet on the Haim front for quite some time now. Corey Feldman hasn't really mentioned oldest and dearest friend Haim in his CoreyFeldman.net blog lately and rarely discusses Haim in interviews following their very public break-up on the 2007-2008 A&E reality show The Two Coreys.

Born December 21, 1971 (he was 13 months older than me) Corey Haim was 38 when TMZ reported his death today. Although I loved Corey, I truly only followed him in his earlier career. As he grew up, I moved on and began to fancy boys in bands and then there was my whole Monkees obsession of course. By the time Corey Haim filmed Lost Boys, I was no longer collecting Tiger Beat pinups on the cute Canadian.

In 1984, I loved Haim in First Born and cried when his onscreen mom's drug dealin' boyfriend beat him. Teri Garr of Mr. Mom fame portrayed his mom. I didn't care about Sarah Jessica Parker being in that film, but thought Robert Downey Jr. was cool.

I remember Corey Haim in Secret Admirer with Tommy Howell--even though his role was small. 
  
I remember in the spring and summer of 1985, reading all about his up-coming film Silver Bullet --a scary movie based upon a Steven King story. I remember hoping and praying it wouldn't be rated R. I remember thinking it was so weird seeing him in a wheelchair, but respecting him as an actor to pull it off so realistically. 

I remember that he got his start on a Canadian TV show, The Edison Twins, but never had the opportunity to view it because back in the early '80s we obviously didn't have YouTube or the Internet.

I remember loving that Corey was to star in Murphy's Romance because as a "littler" kid I loved watching reruns of Gidget and his mom was to be played by Sally Field.  

I remember Corey Haim talking about his mom and sister in interviews and how he landed the part of Lucas and what it was like working with Charlie Sheen. I remember hating how Corey was treated in the movie and promising myself I'd be nicer to nerdy kids.


I remember Corey Haim was often photographed with his mouth slightly open, there was something really cute about that and I would try to pose for pictures with friends making that same "lost" expression with my mouth open. I remembered he had a funny, yet adorable way of speaking - almost like he had marbles in his mouth and a slight lisp or speech impediment.


The Corey Haim I remember didn't do drugs. The Corey Haim I remember didn't get press because of bankruptcy issues or due to a bloated look resulting from drug abuse. He was young, sweet and fresh-faced. I have chosen to allow myself to miss the pre-Lost Boys Corey. Because that's honestly the Corey Haim I loved.


Fast forward to 1997 when I wrote my book, Aaron Carter, Backstreet Brother for Random House. I needed a pen name and fast. I went with the name Corey Barnes. Corey after Feldman and Haim. Barnes after a little known '80s actor, C.B. Barnes.



My thoughts and condolences go out to his mom Judy and family and to Corey Feldman--whom we all know is hurting today.

When I first fell in love with Corey:

Chillin With All-4-One

Between 1997-1999 I was the associate editor of a teen magazine called SuperTeen. I'm sure I've told you this but for my newer followers here's the quick lowdown ...  For about three years I interviewed teen idols/stars like Hanson, 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, etc. It was great fun and not only did I get to meet lots of talented kids, I traveled back and forth to Disney on a regular basis. Pretty cool, right?

One day these guys came into our offices for an interview, and I swear (no pun on their big hit "I Swear") I didn't know who they were. Why? Because they were popular in 1994/95 and it was 1997. I'm a fan of alternative rock, emo and indie bands, never gave a hoot about R & B. I knew all about teen pop because my work depended on it.  

SuperTeen magazine focused mostly on younger stars which meant even Kevin of the Backstreet Boys was a bit old for our readers--everyone loved Nick and Brian. These All-4-One guys appeared possibly even older than me and at the time--I was in my early 20s.

The sad thing about All-4-One, was that they truly were a group of nice guys. In my heart I wished I could plaster them on the cover or in a huge centerfold, but I knew they weren't in demand. SuperTeen was an overpriced monthly mag limited in space which needed to be filled with as much Backstreet and 'N Sync as possible. 

Curious to catch up with the guys, I found they have an All-4-One website where I discovered the guys are alive and well--still touring and making music today. On a personal note I'm glad to see they're still doin' their thing, even if I'm not a fan of that style of music.

Bravo All-4-One!

Who Is This Skinny Happy Kid?

I found this photo while searching for another photo. Too bad I didn't find it when I was actually looking for it a few months ago when I wrote this post about my dad's love of Volksvagen cars.

I think my dad snapped this photo. He always loved photographing us in and alongside his cars. My mom's photo albums are filled with us near his many vehicles. I think maybe he loved us as much as those cars and what better way to make him happy than to have his two babies in a picture--"two babies" meaning one kid and one car.

Today I marvel at how thin I once was. I can't recall ever feeling so lightweight and free. I honestly do not remember being skinny enough to wear a skimpy top revealing my belly button. I wish I could remember how I felt that exact day.

It reminds me a bit of that Twilight Zone episode where the retirement home folks are magically transformed back into their little-kid bodies running around playing kick the can. I'd love to have just five minutes where I can transform into a ten- year-old body. No need for makeup or underwire ... and short shorts? I haven't worn anything shorter than a capri in about fifteen years.

I don't remember the particular day this picture was taken, so I can't provide a fun rundown of what I was thinking or doing that sunny day. Based upon my bizarre outfit (pink socks and blue Mary Janes), I'm guessing it was summer. I always brag about how Mom let us wear whatever we wanted to.

She let me pick out my outfits and firmly believed that unless I was dressed inappropriately, it was up to me to decide what I felt like wearing. She had once read that letting kids pick out their attire allows them a certain sense of independence and creativity. Too bad the nuns didn't see it that way. Every class trip, they'd force us to wear shiteous corduroy pants or skirts paired with collared shirts

It's awesome that Mom was so strong in this belief, because my crazy hairdos and clothing in high school would make most parents cringe. She felt that as long as I wasn't taking drugs or appeared to be drinking or smoking, this was simply my way of expressing my individuality and it was. 

 

My 1990 yearbook photo--half a hairdo 

(buzzed along the side and back)