Formed in the late ’80s in Tempe, Arizona, the band was initially founded by its former lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Doug Hopkins and singer/guitarist Jesse Valenzuela. That’s a highly self-aware assessment and smacks of a certain push-pull relationship the Gin Blossoms have always had when it came to fame.
But, other than that, I’m pretty anonymous, and I’m cool with that.” There’s a pretty good chance I’ll be recognized if I’m eating right next to the venue. “It’s just not my style… My level of celebrity is such that I won’t get recognized unless I’m eating at the restaurant that’s right next to the club we’re about to play. “I would never be on a reality show or anything like that,” he says.
Apparently this led to Wilson’s girlfriend asking him if he’d ever go on The Masked Singer, to which Wilson sagely replies that he’s not famous enough to ever be asked, though he jokes that he’s enjoyed watching close buddy and former Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath appear as “Orca.” As I call the Gin Blossoms lead singer, news has just broken that Rudy Giuliani was unmasked on The Masked Singer, reportedly leading Robin Thicke (one of the show’s judges) to walk out in protest. The day Robin Wilson and I are scheduled to chat is a tumultuous one in the music world.
