Ritz, the co-writer, complimented Kravitz for being so hands-on throughout the years it took to finish the book. He says his co-writer was open and ready to explore anything.
“He’s got a lot of courage. The thing about Lenny, artistically and personally, he’s just a man of great courage,” Ritz says. Writing it together was “like being in a studio where you’re jamming.”
Kravitz’s musical influences emerge as Prince, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire and David Bowie, who inspired Kravitz to get color-changing contact lenses. The book also explores Kravitz’s spirituality and his experience of being born again.
His first band was Wave — “the Gap Band meets the Jacksons meets Rick James meets Shalamar meets the Time.” They had fog machines and sound effects, an elaborate light show and a staggering 15 members.
Among some interesting business decisions: He was handed “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Kennedy Gordy, son of legendary producer Berry Gordy. But Kravitz declined….
