Emile's Backstory
Warnings for mentions of ableism (particularly that which utilizes verbal abuse and emotional manipulation), mentions of child neglect/verbal abuse, and a smaller warning for disordered eating. If any of these topics make you uncomfortable, then I recommend skipping out on this one.
Also, this should go without saying, but me writing about certain actions does not equal me condoning them. Not every story involves the big bad getting thrown to their death at the end, and this story especially is meant to simulate the history of a real (fictious) band. And keep in mind that Emile is only one character within a larger story that I created with a few friends for fun. I am by no means planning to expand this beyond a few bits of writing practice. Cheers,
The characters Jo, Doc, Eydie, Obie, Shannon, and Jerry all belong to their respective owners.
Early Life
Born on July 14th, 1943 in the outskirts of a Californian small town, Emile was raised in a very poor family. They lived in a small shack with about an acre of barely usable land. He had 3 older siblings and would go on to have 3 more younger ones. That being said his parents struggled to take care of them all. Most of the time they were even low on food, but it was the life they were all used to. They were raised to be tough with strict expectations placed onto them.
Emile would go on to fail to meet these expectations time and time again, however. While his siblings grew stronger, Emile stayed small. All the while, his parents learned early on that his intelligence would always stay slightly below average. The news would be a great disappointment to them. At the time, he was failing severely in school and was pulled out early because of it. His parents never looked for other options for him as they didn't want to pay the money. In the end, Emile would lack the ability to read or do basic math. He was cut off from the rest of his family and always given the last pick in their meals, places to sleep, etc.
He would make one friend in the form of his younger brother Rod, however. Being close in age, they'd spend a lot of their early life together. As the years went by and they entered their teens, Rod would easily fit the mold for their parent's dream child. He was tall, strong, smart, and enjoyed working around the shack and the few crops they could grow. Their parents would start to separate the two, not wanting Rod to waste his time around his lazy brother. Although Emile hardly noticed back then that he was treated differently, Rod sympathized with him. For a while, he tried to be a good influence and get Emile to work more, but none of it worked.
At the time, Emile easily internalized anything that was told to him. In his later teens, he began to fall in love with the rock and roll he managed to sometimes catch on his family's radio. So much so that he'd memorize the songs and sing them. His parents would go on to remind him that he'd never be a musician, however, and he thought the same. It wasn't like he was that good, anyway, right? Yet when he knew nobody was watching, he'd keep singing.
Fast forward to when Emile turned 20, and he of course struggled to land a job as well. One of his older brothers managed to get a job cleaning a nearby gas station, though, and one week he came down with a fever that made him too ill to go to work. His parents decided to try making Emile take over his shift. His performance wasn't great, of course, but it led to a conversation that he'd never forget with the most fascinating man he'd met up until that point. While once again singing to himself, he was suddenly approached by Jerry Schaefer, the manager for a surf rock group called Shannon and the Surfers. Emile was somewhat hesitant on the idea of joining a band, especially after his parents were so firmly against him being a musician. Yet Jerry seemed particularly impressed by his voice.
A few weeks passed, and Jerry suddenly returned to the gas station looking for Emile. His brother had recovered by then but agreed to rush home and grab the singer. With hardly any time to prepare, Emile was driven off to L.A. It was there that he was introduced to Shannon and The Surfers who were in a tight spot after being turned away from Warner for not having a solid lead singer. That being said, his induction to the band would be heavily disputed between members Doc and Obie. In Doc's eyes, adding an inexperienced vocalist would only hurt the band's established chemistry. Meanwhile for Obie and much of the other members, bringing in Emile seemed like the only choice they had if they wanted a record deal.
The band would talk over the decision for a mostly tiresome three days, during which Emile would stay in the extra room of member Josephine Lewis' apartment, entranced by things like color TVs and beat magazines. Jo and Eydie started teaching him the basic ins and outs of being a musician. They would even give him a surf rock look with a haircut and new clothes, transforming him from the scrawny farm boy he came in as. Given his cheerful demeanor and innocent, young charm (despite being the oldest in reality), the band became easily attached to the new singer. In the end, the decision was made to keep him, and from then on his life changed forever.
Shannon and the Surfers
Emile began performing alongside the band in clubs to an already strong fanbase in August of 1963. Almost an honorary member, he didn't have the level of creative control that the others did. Just the same, he went with the motions. With some encouragement from the band, he learned to play tambourine and maracas. It was quite easy for him as he had a natural sense of rhythm that also went into his feet when he danced on stage. With his powerful tenor voice and energetic stage presence overall, he was quickly met with a decent amount of acclaim. And so, the decision to keep him was finalized. His vocals were swiftly recorded over the existing demo tapes and the band continued their hunt for a label.
Outside of the music, however, Emile was kept busy finding out what it was like to be a star. Needless to say, it was quite different from the life he was used to. Aside from all the new people he got to meet and the strange technologies and fashions of the big city, he suddenly had choice. Choice on how to dress, where to shop, what to eat. It rarely took a lot to make him happy. That being said, he occasionally bit off more than he could chew. Sometimes literally, such as when the band ate out with him for the first time and he immediately became sick after eating too much.
Just two months after replacing the vocals on the tapes, the band would finally be signed with a smaller label by the name of DEL Records. This kickstarted the making of their first album, some of which made use of the demo tapes they already recorded. Their first single is also released, albeit only doing well locally.
When the self-titled album was eventually released in January of 1964, it also only did well in Santa Barbara and L.A. As with their band name, the tracks featured the typical surf rock sound that was growing popular among youth culture. It featured a cover of Farmer's Daughter and several tracks written by the band themselves (aside from Emile). They'd go on a subsequent tour along the Californian coast to promote the album, and as far as first tours go, it was mostly pretty successful. That being said, it would also place a lot of strain on the band. Aside from the usual stress that comes out of planning a tour, members Doc and Obie only argued more frequently being in such close quarters.
The strain would only carry over as they began to work on their second album. Even Emile was beginning to notice that something wasn't right. Most of the members began to spend less time together, and even their loved lead singer was left alone most days. When the album was finished and released in May of that year, it too only received local popularity. This didn't exactly meet the expectations of the group, and given the growing tension between Doc and Obie, they decided it was best to part ways. Emile didn't have much say in the breakup. He was very much hoping that the group would stay together, and despite his calm withdrawal from the scene, the sudden changes in his life to come left him in a state of confused disillusion.
On His Own
Within the short time that the band was together, Emile learned a lot about not just his new city life, but also his old life. He became a little less gullible, and most importantly he realized his parents weren't exactly the great people he perceived them to be. In a somewhat hesitant move, he canceled his plans to return home, instead staying in LA where he had enough money to live on his own for some time. Things go well at first as he does local gigs around the area, even optimistically planning out a solo career. He bought a guitar and learned it quickly, slowly beginning to write his own songs to varying degrees of success. Before he even knows it, though, his money is running low. It slowly becomes obvious that he wasn't exactly cut out to live on his own, let alone make an album. In the Surfers, he'd become so used to being carried by the rest of the band that he hardly had any drive of his own. He also suddenly loathed the typical jobs he was once so cheerful doing.
To make matters worse, his gigs aren't nearly successful enough to keep him going. After only a few months, he's struggling to stay afloat on the last remnants of his Surfer fame. He realizes that he can't just sit around and make music all day which ends up chewing at his mental state. Ever since he joined the band, he'd also struggled with poor eating habits. Although he managed to get them more under control, he'd quickly gain weight due to a lack of exercise. Food would go on to be a vice of his whenever he was under extreme stress.
Despite even going to the lengths of selling his clothes for looser, cheaper ones, Emile would inevitably run out of money. Unable to afford his rent, he had no other choice than to return home with his tail between his legs. Up until then, he'd hardly contacted them at all and most of his family assumed that he'd run away for good. It was a shock for all of them to see him return home that June of 1965. Rod, at least, was excited to see him back and catch him up with the family. His parents, however, weren't exactly pleased and Emile could notice it more than ever. Despite the rumor that he'd joined a famous band, he had nothing to show for his success other than a couple of useless instruments and ugly clothes.
For the next week, they not only ostracized him but frequently took their anger out on their poor son. They would continuously insult him for his weight and perceived laziness and any attempt to defend himself would only make them more upset. His mother especially, who'd once been a little tough-love at most in his childhood, was suddenly cruel and unforgiving in his new lenses. His siblings would follow her lead and often bully him for a laugh. On the surface, it seemed Rod was the only one who cared about him, and to his credit, he'd come to Emile's comfort as often as he could after something bad happened. But Rod's methods of comfort always circled back to trying to convince Emile that his parents really did love him and that he was wanted.
One day Emile would forget to do something that his mother had asked of him, and it ended up being the straw that broke the camel's back for her. She'd scream at him, telling him that he'd always been a burden on their whole family and if it weren't for his mental disability, everyone's lives would be easier. Emile ran outside and Rod, who had witnessed the entire event, followed him. When he attempted to once again comfort his older brother, Emile lashed out and called him a spoiled liar.
It was only a day later that Emile received a visit from an old friend and the news that the Surfers were getting back together. He had barely managed to stop his parents from selling his instruments, and it finally seemed like his luck was turning around for him. Unsurprisingly, he didn't hesitate to leave the second time. With nothing but some music, instruments, and a couple of bucks, he rode all the back to L.A.
The Bloodhounds
When the group finally reunited, it was clear that Emile wasn't the only one who had changed. In particular, Jo was quick to announce her marriage to Doc, much to Emile's hidden dismay. He'd grown very close to Jo as his mentor figure and dwelled on his feelings during his absence from the group, finally making up his mind to profess his love for her. Now that would never happen. He tried to accept this fact rather quickly and continued to delight in seeing all the members again after so long. That being said, he noticeably mellowed out.
Just the same, the band's sound had changed. Folk-rock was the new genre on the rise in California, a trend promising success at last for the group. To match their departure from surf rock, the Surfers name was dropped. Signed with a new label, the band's first single was written by Obie and Doc and released in September under the name The Bloodhounds. The song was a smash hit. With their new national audience on the rise, it was no surprise when their first album also climbed the charts following its December release.
Although Emile was a little partial to the higher energy rock and roll songs of yesteryear, he was happy singing any old thing and did it great, too. That being said, he wanted to prove himself more as a musician this time. To start off, he presented his own songs to the group. Much of them were, unsurprisingly, in need of a little work due in part to his poor writing comprehension. Jo was often the one to jump in, sometimes rewriting whole verses in full just for him. Nevertheless, E. Duncan would appear for the first time on a handful of tracks. Meanwhile, Emile's skills at guitar improved and he began to sing and play on certain songs during gigs, a skill that would carry over into their tour in January of 1966.
For the very first time, the band tours not only the entire west coast but eventually takes a trip to the east for a few shows in New York City. Doc ends up sitting out said shows for reasons unknown, but they replace him with a different guitarist in the meantime and things run smoothly. After the release of another highly successful album, a more comprehensive and longer tour is launched. Although Emile enjoyed traveling and being on stage before a much larger audience, flying and the general frequent changes put a lot of stress on him. Overall, he'd come to prefer the smaller shows they did as the Surfers.
That being said, the absense of Doc would lead to him and Jo becoming unexpectedly close. To him Jo eventually vented the frustrations with her marriage, particularly Doc's infidelity. Wishing to comfort her, Emile slept beside her for a few nights and became more physically affectionate in the days that followed. By the time they returned home and went back to recording with Doc, the guitarist took notice of this and pulled Emile aside to put a stop to the, in his eyes, obtrusive behavior. What was meant to be merely a stern warning to back off quickly escalated once Emile let it slip that he knew of Doc's unfaithfulness. Although Doc had no intention to hurt the lead singer, Emile was nevertheless backed against a wall and terrified. Fortunately Jo would break in to stop Doc, reassuring her husband that she didn't see Emile that way.
Feeling hurt, the singer ran off. He still wanted to believe that Jo would eventually turn around, especially knowing just how poorly Doc treated her. But by the day, his hope was weakening. He still had no other choice than to keep those feelings inside and continue recording.
Despite how well things were going for the band, Obie and Doc's arguments had clearly not ceased with their newfound success. In fact, the creative disputes only worsened as the standard for their music was raised with their increasing national fame. Shortly after the band had finished their second coast-to-coast tour, however, chaos broke out in the studio. Emile wasn't exactly sure how it started. One minute Obie and Doc are having another usual argument, and the next, they were on each other like wild dogs. Emile rarely spoke up when one of these arguments happened, and almost never took a side. But this time the other four members all tried their best to break up the fight, and Emile jumped in to pull Obie away. Although he made an attempt to comfort Obie afterward, it was mostly in vain and Obie would continue to hold a grudge against Doc. Ultimately, Doc was left with a broken nose while Obie received a concussion. Recording for their third album would begin, but the air remained tense.
After a very lengthy 7 months, the album was finally released in 1967. Its good performance doesn't mend their problems much, and Doc refuses to tour at all. By now the band is starting to gradually fall apart, and productivity is severely diminished as a result. Emile was very anxious by this point, and it was anyone's guess how much longer the group would stay together. When it came to recording their fourth album, though, he tried his best to pick up the work of the other members.
Over the rest of that year, two more singles were released. Then in December, another crisis happened. Without a word, Doc had disappeared from the entire L.A. area. Shortly afterward, Jo decided to return to her home in Washington. Emile wasn't ready yet to accept that the band was over. For the next few months, he drifted around the studio where an album was slowly being put together from the previous sessions and Shannon's solo attempts. The lead singer did what he could to pitch in, getting a few credits on certain tracks. But before he knew it, the album was finished and released. Its success would only lead to a press statement from Obie that the band had broken up and had no plans to reform. The Bloodhounds were officially no more.
Post-Breakup
Back when the band had recently renamed themselves the Bloodhounds, Emile began to go on dates with several different women. Especially as the band was starting to near its end, he was feeling a sense of loneliness and a need for stability. The news of Jo's marriage had been tough on him, but he wanted to move on from her the best he could. That being said, he struggled to find someone that made him feel the same way Jo did. Just the same, he wasn't the most conventionally attractive and his dates would usually become bored by his lack of conversational skills.
One blind date during the recording for their fourth album would lead him to meet Ruslana, however. She was a Russian immigrant who worked as a waitress at the time, and after a mild first impression, the two agreed to stay friends for a while. They spoke on and off for the next few months and met only a handful of times. But by 1968, the two had already ceased communication.
When the Bloodhounds eventually broke up, though, Emile was left with few options. Remembering his first failed attempt to survive in L.A. when the Surfers disbanded, he was very scared of living alone. Then again, the dramatic events leading to the Bloodhound's breakup left him a little traumatized and disillusioned with the idea of bands and music as a whole. Returning to his family again wasn't ideal, either, for obvious reasons. But after a few days in L.A., he eventually made up his mind and paid for a ride back to his old rural town.
Stepping onto his family's land, however, he was shocked to find nothing. The shack where he was raised had disappeared. Only a few scraps of wood on an empty plot of dirt remained. He ran to the closest house out there, reaching the home of an old lady who told him that shack had been bulldozed down a full year ago. The family living there had long since moved away. They hadn't left anything for Emile telling him where they went. No letters- nothing.
So, eventually, Emile made it back to L.A. The events prior had left him in a depressed state and he desperately needed someone to vent to. He happened to find Ruslana's number on a small scrap of paper among his songs and decided to call her up for the first time in months. Neither was in the mood for telephone small talk. He bought another ride to her apartment and the two chatted until the night. Ruslana hadn't been particularly attracted to Emile in the past. She thought he was kind and a little endearing, but nothing more. As such, it was out of a place of sympathy that she proposed Emile spend the next few nights with her until an opportunity for him came along.
This stay would end up lasting a lot longer than either of them anticipated. The small space brought the two closer, and Emile would quickly start to fall in love with Ruslana. She made him feel safe and secure for once in his life, much like Jo used to. It wasn't difficult for Ruslana to notice that he had changed. He desired to be close to her at all times and believe everything she said as a fact. She soon made him feel comfortable enough to really open up about his feelings.
The thought of getting married came up very quickly, moreso like a simultaneous plan than a typical proposal from one or the other. For Emile, he of course loved Ruslana more than anything, but a marriage also meant that stability he always needed. Ruslana could act as his anchor, always there. At the time, however, Ruslana's own feelings were much more casual. She had long decided that she wasn't attached to any man enough to be with them only. Emile, unfortunately, was far from an exception. She was a smart woman, however, and gathered much about him from their time together. If she was going to marry anybody, she thought they ought to be gullible. Besides, Emile would still get what he wanted, which was obviously someone to take care of him. There was very little for her to lose overall.
So, in November of 1968, the two would have a very private marriage in a secluded beach house on the Californian coast. At the time, Emile was 25 while Ruslana was 33. They had cut much of the cost by not inviting anyone. And as time went on, Ruslana would continue to tell him that it was better for his mental health overall if he cut contact with his old friends from the band. He believed her, and by now he had completely disappeared from the public scene already.
Soon after their marriage, the two would use Emile's profits from the band and Ruslana's own savings from working to buy a simple cottage home. It was in a quiet little neighborhood, but not far from the nearest town. It seemed like the perfect place overall for them to settle down. While Ruslana would soon acquire a new job, Emile stayed home. Sometimes he practiced and played around with song ideas on his guitar. But most of the days were spent sitting around, listening to old records, watching the television, and feeding the deer. Ruslana seemed to be the first person to accept that side of him. He'd begun to figure that maybe his family was right in him being lazy, but as long as she remained happy, what did it matter how much he got done?
The two grew even closer in their new home. Sometimes they would dance along to each other's music (even if the other didn't totally understand it). Ruslana helped teach him to cook, and he'd actually become quite good at it. Eventually she would even teach him how to make love.
The time seemed to fly by fast with her. Before Emile knew it, she came with the news that she was pregnant. Both of them were nervous. Remembering his own parents, Emile couldn't help but worry if he'd be a good father to his future child. His own dad, while not as cruel as his mother had been, pushed him aside just as much when he didn't meet their expectations. When Ruslana gave birth to their first son in June of 1969, however, Emile immediately fell in love and vowed in his mind to never let anything hurt him. Oswin, whom Ruslana was very adamant about Emile being the one to name, would grow up in their cottage. Staying at home, Emile would take up most of the parenting. His love for Oswin showed in how attentive he was in the baby's care, frequently playing games and singing him songs.
The months went by, and Oswin grew older and more active. He was very attached to Emile as well and would follow him around the house, always begging for another game. Ruslana would spend as much time with him herself as she could, but she was still often busy with her job. Emile noticed she would sometimes disappear for longer periods of time unexpectedly, however, be it one night or even a day or two. This frequently made Emile very stressed. When Oswin was a year old, she hadn't come home for two nights straight and the second night he couldn't sleep, wondering if she left him or was maybe even in danger. When she finally arrived home at three in the morning, Emile got up and confronted her in the hallway without a spark of anger. He was simply confused and a little sad that she wouldn't tell him what was going on. In the shock of the moment, Ruslana couldn't disguise that she was hiding something. But she refused to tell him and insisted that they both go to bed.
A few days passed since the incident, and Ruslana finally decided that she couldn't keep it from Emile any longer. The next time he tried confronting her, she let it spill out that she'd been going around several other men, even long after they were married. Moreover, Oswin wasn't really his son. Emile was speechless at first, unable to believe she'd been lying to him for so long and that the child he'd been raising wasn't even his. He'd finally found someone that understood and accepted him, and yet he was still betrayed. Ruslana allowed him some time to think, finding that she regretted all that she admitted to doing. She had unknowingly fallen in love with him long after their marriage, destroying the plan that she'd created so carefully.
Ultimately Emile seemed fine about what happened, and after a while life continued like normal. But in the back of Emile's mind, the scars remained. Up until then, he thought Ruslana was different than everyone else who had taken advantage of him in the past. Suddenly he questioned if that was really true. On the other hand, though, he felt much too attached now to think about leaving her. He didn't believe that he could even live without her beside him. Not to mention that Oswin still needed a father, related to him or not.
So Emile stayed, and just the same, Ruslana's disappearances ceased. She spent more time with Emile and Oswin, making it clear where she decided to finally place her loyalty. Eventually she became pregnant with a second child, and in May of 1971 gave birth to her and Emile's daughter. They both combined their ideas to create the name Jochka. She'd grow up very healthy, and the both kids were like two peas in a pod. Then in October of 1972, they received a third child named Pyotr. By now their relationship was going very well, and Emile was happier than he'd been in years. He loved spending most of his time with the kids, and every moment was even better when Ruslana was there, too.
A few years passed, and although Emile continued to practice guitar and occasionally write songs, he had long since moved on from the music scene. That didn't stop the irregular letter or two from coming in, however, asking him to sing a song for some advertisement or band's project. Indeed, the world hadn't forgotten Emile Duncan, despite how many years had passed since his last public appearance. Ruslana, for better or for worse, hid the vast majority of these letters. She wished to avoid him becoming distracted by outside things out of fear that he couldn't make it on his own. She never told him about these tossed letters and he remained happy. So no harm done, right?
Eventually, though, she'd keep one of these letters and give it to Emile to read. A small television studio was trying to pitch a new sitcom and invited Emile to write a theme song in exchange for a good deal of money. It sounded like an interesting idea to them both, and completing an unfinished song he'd made recently, Emile sent his lyrics over and was eventually invited to sing the vocals, too. The song was released as his first solo track in April of 1974. The show was picked up shortly before, and began to premiere shortly after the release of the theme. It immediately became a smash hit. The song popped up frequently on big radio stations. People flocked to buy '45s of the song. But more importantly, even more letters began to flood in, a few of which were from hosts asking Emile to play on this television show or at this event.
Both Ruslana and Emile relished the new flow of money, but more than ever, she hid the letters from him. She gave him tiny hints to keep him around. She made small insistences to discourage him from stepping into the public. He was sheltered from the world, and remained unsuspecting. And before long, his burst of fame cooled down before he could even get on it. A year passed since his song was released, and in 1975, something big happened for the Bloodhounds.
After the disappearance of Doc, Jo eventually found someone new and was preparing a marriage. John, as her groom was named, invited everyone from her old band as a surprise for her. They were all meant to keep it a secret until the wedding. But Emile didn't show up, and they all wondered what kept him from coming.
Thing was, he never saw the invitation. It was only a few days after the ring was tied that he was looking for something missing in the house and suddenly found a little shoebox hidden deep in the bedroom closet. Inside he found dozens of letters directed to him, some dating all the way back to three years ago. The newest, however, was about Jo's wedding. He didn't even know she was getting married, and it had already come and gone. He missed his chance of seeing her and the rest of the band together. For all he knew, it could've been the very last time.
The news devastated him so badly that he had a breakdown in the bedroom, crying less for everything that he'd missed out on, and more for the fact that Ruslana had lied to him again. Did she only view him as stupid and gullible just like everyone else in his life seemed to? Was being more than just a tool too much to ask for, even from his wife? After a while, Ruslana heard the commotion and slowly entered the room. Her heart sank when she saw, on the floor, scattered letters leading up to Emile's cowering body. She tried to explain, struggling to find the words that would excuse what she did. But she knew that it was wrong, always. He asked her again and again. Why? Why? Why? She begged her lips to speak. I did it to protect you. But it wasn't good enough.
She walked out into the hallway, checking up on their kids who were all playing in Oswin's room. She didn't recall what game it was, only paying half-attention. A few minutes passed, however, and she suddenly heard noises from the living room. When she came in Emile was already packing a few things, and although she tried begging him to stay, he didn't listen. He only said that he needed to be alone for a while. The kids came out just in time to see him walking out the door, the three of them confused and asking their mother what was going on. Daddy will be back soon. She told them, hoping it was true.
A few hours passed. Emile had already got off his bus by then, checking into a motel a few towns away. The solitude helped him think thoroughly about what had happened. It would be wise to leave, he knew. It was bad enough the first time she lied to him, but to do it twice? Her actions were unthinkable. He wondered what the point was in trying to keep her any longer. But as the hours turned into days, his heart ached with loneliness more and more. He missed Oswin. He missed Jochka. He missed Pyotr. He missed Ruslana. They were the first real family he'd ever had. He knew he couldn't let them go for another one, not now. It would never be the same. It would never be as good. And most importantly, he would never forgive himself. Maybe he was a little stupid, but he had a very big heart that longed to give his kids a better life than he'd gotten, and Ruslana had to be a part of it.
When Emile returned, the children celebrated, begging for tons of games to make up for the days missed. Ruslana, however, stood back, unsure of how to approach him. It was Emile that eventually spoke first, taking her hands in his as soon as they could finally be alone again. He would have to forgive her in the end, he knew. But he would never forget, and neither should she. That being said, what they had now was an opportunity to improve themselves. Who knew what would happen if they didn't take it?
Things began to return to normal, but Ruslana started to think of ways that she could make it up to him. Something that he wanted and would better the both of them. Some of the songs that he'd written during the last few years had been recorded onto demo tapes. They hadn't planned on doing anything with them aside from keeping them for memories, but in the start of 1976, Ruslana began taking the tapes to a number of labels. She didn't exactly know how the industry worked, so it took a while to get her search off the ground. Still, she never told Emile about it, wanting to surprise him.
Eventually on July 14th, 1976, Emile's 33rd birthday, Ruslana's only gift for him was a single piece of news. The months of searching had paid off, and she'd gotten him a record deal. Emile was speechless at first, needing a moment to process it all. But soon enough, he was overjoyed. He was already pulling out old songs from the drawers in their room, picking out which ones to use. That being said, it would take a long time for the recording to actually begin. He quickly remembered that he couldn't just create any old album. The music scene had changed a lot since 1968. He would need to create something new and innovative, but still personal to him and true to what he loved. Then he thought of Ruslana. Sometimes the two had played songs together in their home. He even taught her a tiny bit of guitar and she showed plenty of promise. Their music taste didn't overlap much, sure; while Emile enjoyed old rock and roll, Ruslana much preferred the classics of her own culture. But that didn't mean they couldn't combine what they loved. He knew it was possible.
Together they worked carefully on their songs, some new, some old, all never heard before by the public. Most of the tracks were credited to both E. Duncan and R. Duncan. Just the same, they'd sing together by the time recording began with Emile leading some songs and Ruslana leading others. Drums, bass, and other instruments were supplied by studio musicians that their label hired. Finally in March of 1977, the album was finished and released.
Emile and Ruslana
Their first album would be a mild success. It received nowhere near as much fame as Emile's single solo track got, but they enjoyed making the album enough to where it satisfied them. Thankfully, their label saw promise and expected their fame to grow with time. They encouraged the couple to create more singles, however.
At this time, Ruslana had gotten in touch with a man named Rhett Purdie and later introduced him to Emile following the release of their debut album. Rhett just so happened to have worked on the television show that used Emile's famous song, but he was currently looking to do something new with his career. Rhett offered to help film and piece together a handful of videos to promote their songs. The price for them was relatively cheap, and it seemed like they could all gain something by doing it. Eventually the two showed up in Rhett's studio to begin recording. Already having experience in directing sitcom episodes, Rhett worked with them to create a narrative with many unique backdrops and costume changes. They had to cut a few corners here and there, mainly with the use of a somewhat low quality green screen effect. But the video they created was nonetheless entertaining and rather charming. Most importantly, it gave the two an image, something the public could picture each time they put on their record.
The video was stationed out to many local television networks to promote the release of their very first single. It quickly became a hit. They'd finally figured out a way to solve their old problem when they performed on television for the first time together. Ruslana had found her new passion for music, and Emile was happy to be back in front of an audience again, remembering just what kept him returning to his guitar for so long. Rhett continued to make a few more videos for them, and the two would eventually release their second album in November of 1978.
While the two loved what they had found, they never lost sight of what was truly important. They'd make up as much time as they could between all the recording and performing, throwing away deals that didn't really seem that necessary and taking good care to never rush their albums. That free time was always spent with their children Oswin, Jochka, and Pyotr, who were already growing up to be very passionate and intelligent. They hoped that one day their kids would grow up to create their own art. Whether it was music, film, or painting, they'd encourage them every step of the way. After all, that's what parents are for.
By the time the new decade rolled around, Emile and Ruslana were still going strong, both as a musical duo and as a couple. Their success remained consistent since their debut. But in 1980, Emile would receive a special invite from someone. For the first time in over ten years, the Bloodhounds were planning an official reunion. Judging by his recent return to the public sphere, the band was confident that Emile would come around this time. After some discussion, Ruslana agreed to let him go on the condition that she came along.
After arriving in L.A., the couple would stay in a rather humble hotel before meeting up with the other members first thing the next day. Although none of them had changed an awful lot in appearance, they were noticeably happier. Ed, Obie, and Shannon had long since moved on with their lives, starting new bands and finding new people. The constant stressful air of the '60s was long gone, and Emile himself felt a nice sense of closure.
But there was one person he wanted to meet more than anybody. When he and Jo finally bumped into each other later that day, neither were exactly sure what to say at first. Eventually Emile apologized for not making it to Jo's wedding to which she quickly forgave him, assuming he must've been busy. Then Ruslana showed up, leading them to introduce their spouses to each other. Although Ruslana acted rather awkward around Jo, Emile would later make a small friend in Jo's new husband, John. After the Bloodhounds broke up, Jo had soon found a job as an elementary school teacher, inspiring many groups of children to learn music. Unlike many of the other members, she didn't have any interest in returning to the limelight. She was much more satisfied with her new, more humble life.
Overall, the reunion was very positive. That was, until Emile ended up alone with Ed. The bassist pressed him for more information on his off-period, curious as to why he didn't make it to Jo's wedding. Once Emile finally began to unravel some of Ruslana's worser actions, Ed became furious. He insisted that Emile left the woman as quickly as he could, suspecting that she was still manipulating him. Their casual conversation turned swiftly into an argument as Emile didn't take Ed's advice very well. In fact, he yelled at his former bandmate, saying how he didn't know Ruslana and should stay out of his business. It was the second only time he'd ever become so aggressive. On one hand, he felt hurt by what he viewed as Ed's attempt to control his life. It was something he associated with those who merely saw him as stupid or in need of help. On the other hand, he was fiercely in love with Ruslana and their children. But perhaps a tiny part of him was scared to believe that Ed was right.
In any case, the two stopped talking from then on. The reunion ended somewhat sour with their friendship in the past. But life went on, and when Emile and Ruslana returned home, they began work on their next album.
The album released in 1981 would be their fourth album, and even as genres came and went, their music stayed very recognizable. By then, Emile and Ruslana had a modest but loyal fanbase. Said fanbase even went some ways outside of America, and in November of that year, the couple would do a short tour in Australia. Emile, who originally disliked traveling because of the stress, fell in love with the country's landmarks and wildlife. Ruslana made sure to space out their public appearances enough for them to have plenty of time for themselves. She knew she had found something special when Emile got to excitedly hold a koala bear for the first time, his large eyes in awe at the animal before him.
The experience was so fantastic that the two would travel more from then on. New money coming in from their record sales was a big factor, of course. It also made up for the decade they had spent at home. Oswin, Jochka, and Pyotr were at the age where the experiences would stick with them and they took them along for the ride as often as they could. Around and out the states they went, setting off a few times each year for a new trip. Some vacations were big, some were small. Some, like their first, intertwined with the business side of things.
The next three Emile and Ruslana albums would be released in 1983, 1985, and 1986 respectively. Another single would be released in 1987, the first in a long time to feature a music video directed by Rhett Purdie. It was shortly before then that Oswin Duncan began to take interest in music himself. Starting on their '85 album when he was only 16, Oswin would begin doing vocals and playing piano. Having a lot of musical influence from a young age, he fit in perfectly with the older musicians. Their music would go on to be unofficially credited to Emile, Ruslana, and Oswin. This change reignited some of the excitement for the duo, and questions of a Duncan family band were raised. Jochka and Pyotr, while remaining extremely close with their parents and especially Emile, would go on to have other interests, however. Emile and Ruslana decided not to force them.
Eventually 1988 would roll around. It seemed like just another year for more music and happy memories. Oswin would turn 19 in June, and Emile 45 the following month. As school began for their other two kids, their oldest was left in charge of taking care of them while their parents went on another short vacation in late September. This time, they didn't go very far. Next to Lake Ouachita, Arkansas was a pleasant hotel. With the help of two men there and another friend in the music business, the two learned all about jet skis that week. There were a lot of laughs as they both struggled to figure the vehicles out. Before long, however, they were going at high speeds while the others stayed in a boat nearby, watching and listening to the radio.
By September 29th, they felt rather confident riding the jet skis. The group of five went out onto the water later in the day. Some drinking was involved. The mood in the air was loose and playful as they discussed their lives, making jokes and having fun. One more photo was taken before Emile and Ruslana finally started their engines and flew off onto the lake. They rushed around through the tight archipelago, the boat following slowly behind. Eventually Emile drew ahead of Ruslana, speeding far away from her. She began to play along, picking up her own pace.
Suddenly Emile lost control of his jet ski. Ruslana looked on in shock as he fell off, perhaps knocking himself unconscious in the process, and vanished under the water in a matter of seconds. Drawing nearer, she finally saw his back float to the surface. As fast as she could, she jumped off of her own jet ski, scrambling through the water to rescue her husband.
The boat approached not long afterwards, the party alerted by her screams for help. They could tell that something was wrong. When they managed to pull Emile onto the boat, he wasn't breathing. One of the other men tried to revive him with CPR for several minutes, but there was still no sign of life. The last thing anyone remembered was Ruslana letting out a choked sob, and the rest of the night was a blur.
Epilogue
Back at home, Oswin, Jochka, and Pyotr eventually heard the news of their father's death. It was an extremely hard blow to them. Although Oswin tried to act strong during the whole ordeal, he's thought to have been hit hardest of all. He and Emile were especially close to each other. Nobody could've seen his death coming. The news soon reached the public which is how the other former Bloodhounds found out, as well. Jo, Ed, and Obie were especially devastated to lose such a friend.
Once Ruslana returned home, life went on for the family. But the spark that was once there had disappeared without a trace. Each time they sat down for dinner, there was a lingering sadness in the air as they tried not to look at the empty seat. They hardly laughed or smiled again for a very long time. When the day of Emile's funeral came, Ruslana decided to send invites to all of the Bloodhounds, knowing it was what her husband would've wanted. It was held in a quiet, faraway place not far from the home where the Duncan family lived. Many tears were shed as the old band gave Emile one last goodbye. To all who were present, he was much more than the voice of the Bloodhounds. He was an endlessly compassionate friend, a loyal husband, and a devoted father.
Ruslana was particularly traumatized by the memory of his death following the funeral. She began to spend more time away from her children, and a few weeks later, met a man named Micah Barber. The 49 year-old engineer didn't talk much, but the two still hit it off alright. A mere four months after her husband's death, Ruslana would then remarry, an action that many disapproved of, particularly the former Bloodhounds and her own children. Indeed, Ruslana was in a turbulent state of mind then. Everything had changed so fast that her life felt a little less real. She was desperate for a man to fill the void in her heart that Emile left. And yet, although Micah was a more conventionally attractive man, she didn't feel much for him beyond that. She assumed that one day she would fall for him just like she did for Emile. But the feelings never came.
Two years later, there was another tragedy. Oswin Duncan, only 21, passed away in a car crash. Ruslana finally realized that she couldn't keep living a lie. She filed for a divorce in October of 1990 at the age of 56. She would remain a widow for the rest of her life, returning to the Duncan name before releasing two albums of her own, the first in 1993 and the second in 1997. Both albums were meant as tributes to Emile and Oswin and featured much more of her own creative style. Some of the songs are more experimental and a good handful are in Russian, but many also pay homage to the music the two had shared with the world. Neither album performed all that well, but she desired closure above fame when making them. During that time, she began to find solace in their old music and the wounds at last began to heal. Eventually, Jochka and Pyotr would grow close to her again, too, realizing the importance of family all the more.
Emile's legacy passed onto his remaining kids. Jochka Duncan grew up to be an author, writing many best-selling novels for children and young adults. She also advocated extensively for better access to education, especially for poor or mentally disabled children. Pyotr Duncan, on the other hand, would go on to direct many big films. He learned several techniques from Rhett Purdie, and the two would go on to work together on a handful of smaller projects. Both Jochka and Pyotr would eventually marry and have their own children. In 2017, however, Ruslana succumbed to heart disease at the age of 83.
In the present day, Emile is remembered primarily for his work in the Bloodhounds. His vocals are widely regarded as some of the best of the 1960s. Those who knew him have also continuously stressed his kindness and honest love for creating music. "The Bloodhounds would never have happened if it weren't for Emile," Josephine Lewis would go on to say at the band's last reunion for a 2015 award ceremony, "We wouldn't be here today singing the same songs we wrote as kids. It takes a very special person to make the music last as long as it has. It's just a shame that he left us so soon."