[rohwer]

On the WTF Podcast by Marc Maron, he explains how his terrible buying habits with an Amex black card, including a new Mercedes, a sojourn at the Ritz, and a brass instrument, led to his inability to get a credit card for many years.

He basically lost his way after comedy clubs closed in the late 80's and had to reinvent himself. Youtube his old "I have a peach" routine to understand his reinvention. Here is a version of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmZfVCSzEw0