Happy New Year, everybody... As usual, we've had a few celebrity deaths in the waning days of 2022. One person who died yesterday was Anita Pointer, who was one of the Pointer Sisters. I always enjoyed their music back in the days when I was a wee lass growing up. Anita, who was suffering from cancer and was 74 years old, was the fourth of six children born to parents, Elton and Sarah Pointer. Anita was born in California, but her parents came from Arkansas, and they were very strict, as Elton Pointer was a minister. Anita was their fourth child of six.
Reverend and Mrs. Pointer were very much against what they called "the devil's music", which basically seemed to include any type of music that wasn't religious, especially rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and the blues. Nevertheless, the pull of pop music was too strong to resist, and the sisters came together to make their own, special brand of music.
In 1969, Anita and her sisters, June and Bonnie, who are both now deceased, formed their very successful trio, The Pointer Sisters. In 1972, their sister Ruth, also joined. Ruth is the oldest, and is still living. She is the only member of the current incarnation of the Pointer Sisters who was in the original line up. Her daughter, Issa, and granddaughter, Sadako, are also in the group today.
I always really enjoyed the Pointer Sisters when they were in their prime. I remember a lot of their songs, which were always impeccably harmonized and had broad, commercial appeal. They also covered songs by artists who sang different styles. For instance, they famously covered the song "Fire" by Bruce Springsteen. I love Bruce's version, but I always think of theirs first.
A news item about Anita Pointer's death.
Anyway, below are a few songs by The Pointer Sisters... I don't think they make 'em like this anymore...
"Slow Hand"
"Fire"
"I'm So Excited"
"Jump For My Love"
"Automatic"
And here's "Overnight Success", a solo song by Anita Pointer.
Wherever Anita is now, I hope she's resting in eternal peace!
Just a couple of days ago, I wrote about the unexpected death of Irene Cara. And now, I'm writing about the wonderful and incomparable Christine McVie, who passed away in a hospital yesterday at age 79 after a "short illness". At this time, the actual cause of death hasn't been officially announced, but I did read that Christine was in "poor health" over the summer and was having trouble with her back.
I just want to take a short moment to post about how much I've admired Christine McVie's incredible contributions to popular music. There's never been a time in my life when her songs haven't touched me in some way. When Fleetwood Mac was white hot, I was a small child living in England. I can't listen to songs like "Over My Head" or "You Make Loving Fun" without thinking of the woman who wrote them and remembering my sojourn living in her native country.
I've always felt that Christine McVie was extremely underrated. Stevie Nicks got a lot more attention, because she was pretty much the front woman of Fleetwood Mac, wearing outlandish Welsh "witch" costumes, dancing, and and singing out in front of the crowds. Christine, by contrast, was always behind her keyboards, quieter, more reserved, understated, but always impeccable and classy. She was a songwriting powerhouse, and always willing to chip in on projects with other musicians.
It's funny, because yesterday, I posted a review of Stephen Bishop's autobiography, On and Off, on my main blog. Bishop can always be counted on to post on the social media accounts of other celebrities. It was because of his condolences on Christine McVie's Facebook page that I "heard" about her passing so quickly.
Christine McVie was certainly old enough to pass naturally... but that doesn't mean that anyone was ready for her to go. I was shocked when I read the news, and genuinely saddened, even though I know this is a part of life. I guess reading about the heroes of my youth passing the bar is a reminder that my time is coming. But I do feel so fortunate that I was around when Christine McVie was at the top of her game. She has left an indelible mark on music that won't fade for many generations. That is extraordinary. Her death was announced about twelve hours ago, and YouTube is already flooded with tributes.
Songbird...
You Make Loving Fun
Over My Head
Got A Hold On Me
As Long As You Follow
Don't Stop
And one of my personal favorites, Brown Eyes
Restin peace, Christine McVie. There's a new songbird in Heaven today...
I was so sad to read that Irene Cara, who famously starred as Coco Hernandez on the movie version of Fame, and famously sang the title songs for both Fame and Flashdance, has passed away at the age of 63. At this writing, the cause of death hasn't been announced.
As a child of the 70s and 80s, Irene Cara was definitely on my personal soundtrack. I loved the movie, Fame, but I also remember Irene because she was on The Electric Company, which was my favorite children's educational show when I was a little girl. Flashdance was also a big movie when I was growing up, and her rendition of "Flashdance: What a Feeling!" still sounds great almost forty years after that movie came out.
"Fame"
"Flashdance"
I remember she had some memorable dance hits in the early 80s that were very good. I still like to listen to them today, even if it's been awhile since I last saw anyone break dance. Irene was a dynamic performer who put her own special energy into every song. She was very talented, and probably should have had a much bigger career than she did. She actually graduated from the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, so she was well cast in Fame.
"Hot Lunch"
"The Dream"
"Out Here On My Own"
"Breakdance"
I loved this song, "Why Me"
And on The Electric Company!
I don't listen to Irene Cara's music on a daily basis anymore, but there was a time when she was on the radio all the time. She definitely made a huge impact in music, and she will be missed. Condolences to her friends and family who will miss her the most.
At 87 years old, Jerry Lee Lewis, well known for his flamboyant piano playing and many marriages, passed away on October 28, 2022. I don't know a whole lot about Jerry Lee Lewis, but of course I couldn't escape hearing his music. He was well known for his boogie piano inflected rock n'roll hits from the 50s and beyond.
Jerry Lee Lewis suffered a temporary career setback when he married his 13 year old first cousin, once removed, Myra Gale Brown. She wasn't even his first wife, although since their marriage lasted about twelve years, it was one of his longest matrimonial unions. Myra was wife number 3 out of 7 wives. Because Lewis was not yet legally divorced from his second wife, Jane Mitchum, when Lewis and Brown married on December 12, 1957 (16 days before my parents' marriage), he married her again on June 4, 1958. They had two children, a boy named Steven and a girl named Phoebe. Sadly, Steven died in a pool accident when he was 3 years old.
Jerry Lee Lewis's shortest marriage lasted only 77 days. In June 1983, he married Shawn Stephens. By August, they had split. Lewis had a total of six children. He went to a Bible college in Texas for awhile, but was thrown out due to his penchant for playing "wordly" music. However, he reportedly didn't want to record what was probably his most famous hit, "Great Balls of Fire", because he considered it blasphemous. Both Lewis and Elvis Presley were raised in the Assembly of God church, and were supposedly friends.
Goodness gracious!
Jerry Lee Lewis had a very colorful and interesting life, and there was no denying his prodigious musical talent. But not only was he controversial because of his many wives and bigamous relationships; he was also quite fond of playing with guns. In 1976, he fired his pistol at a Coke bottle in his bedroom. The bullet ricocheted and his his bass player, Butch Owens, in the chest. Fortunately, Owens survived.
In November of 1976, Lewis was arrested outside of Graceland for allegedly trying to shoot Elvis Presley. Presley had asked him to come over to Graceland, but Lewis was trying to get his father out of the Tunica (Mississippi) jail for driving while intoxicated. Later, while he was drinking Champagne at a Memphis bar, Lewis remembered Presley had wanted to see him. Someone gave him a gun, and he took it and a bottle of Champagne to Elvis's mansion. There, he ran into the gates at Graceland, then tried to hurl the bottle of Champagne out the window, which was closed. The bottle and the window both smashed, and the police were called. Lewis claimed he hadn't meant to do any harm to his old friend, Elvis. Elvis, of course, famously died anyway, nine months later.
Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On...
I can't say I'm a big fan of Jerry Lee Lewis's music, but I sure have been exposed to a lot of his biggest hits. And he was no doubt a very exciting performer at a time when people clutched their pearls at watching Elvis gyrating his pelvis on television. Isn't it interesting how the most religious people turn out to be the most exciting performers? If you look at the entertainment business, you find a lot of folks who grew up in cults or restrictive faiths turn out to be extremely talented, dynamic, and entertaining. Maybe it's because there's something a little eccentric about people who grow up in cults.
Breathless!
Well, wherever he is now, I salute him. Maybe he and Elvis have made up, wherever they are right now.
I heard yesterday that country music's grand dame, Loretta Lynn, finally passed the bar at 90 years of age! What an amazing woman she was, coming from the poorest of circumstances, one of eight children, growing up in rural Kentucky during the Depression era. Like a lot of people my age, I grew up on Loretta's no nonsense, practical, and truth telling songs. I also remember her on ads for products like Crisco, and seeing Sissy Spacek play her in the movie, Coal Miner's Daughter.
I've always loved this song. It's so true!
As a child of the 80s, I remember Loretta in these ads!
Probably Loretta's best known song.
Given that Loretta Lynn was 90 years old, I don't find her passing particularly sad. She lived a good, long, productive life. But I do find it poignant that she's passed, as I consider her a national treasure. She wrote some really excellent songs that helped a lot of people-- especially women in difficult circumstances-- cope with life. And her songs were so folksy, pragmatic, and honest, delivered with a sass that only Loretta Lynn could offer. She was definitely a unique talent.
For some reason, my husband dislikes this song. I think it's cute.
My Granny probably related to this one.
Loretta Lynn married very young, and had six children of her own, two of whom predeceased her. Two of her children were older than their aunt, Crystal Gayle! Loretta was pregnant with her third child when her youngest sister, Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb), was born! Loretta's siblings were mostly talented musicians and songwriters, although they weren't as famous as Loretta was. Even Crystal Gayle, who did have a few hits, wasn't as big as Loretta was. She was the voice of a generation.
I'm sure there are many musicians today who were hugely influenced by Loretta Lynn. She was an inspiration to so many people. I wish her family and friends peace and comfort as they mourn her passing. She was a wonderful lady, as far as I can tell. And I definitely know she was talented!
I heard a few months ago that B.J. (Billy Joe) Thomas had lung cancer. I was sorry to hear it, since his music was a big part of my soundtrack growing up. I remember hearing his hit song, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", a song he did with Burt Bacharach for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, so many times when I was a young child in the 1970s. I'm listening to it now, as I write this post, enjoying the retro sound, yet realizing that it still sounds excellent in 2021. I also remember him for being very handsome. He had mesmerizing blue eyes and thick, dark hair... He was lucky to have looks and talent going for him.
B.J. Thomas passed away on May 29, 2021. He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Gloria Thomas, and three daughters, Paige, Nora, and Erin. Thomas overcame many struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, eventually becoming a Christian. But he still sang his pop hits in his concerts, and memorably contributed his distinctive voice to the theme song for Growing Pains, a sitcom I used to watch a lot when I was growing up. In fact, a couple of months ago, I watched the whole series and heard B.J. singing that iconic theme over and over again for each episode.
Here are a few videos by him...
Probably his best known hit...
Another well known song! Much better than the "ooga shaka" follow up by the group, Blue Swede.
B.J. sang this as a solo and with Jennifer Warnes. He later did a version with Dusty Springfield, which became a hit on the radio.
B.J. Thomas had a beautiful voice... much like his contemporary, Ray Stevens, who was reportedly offered "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" before B.J. was. I'm glad it was done the way it was... I can't imagine a better singer for that song.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Gloria Thomas and her daughters as the mourn the passing of their legendary husband and father. And on another note, I can't believe I never mentioned B.J. Thomas on this blog before. He really was a wonderful singer, and he came of age at a time when talent really mattered. I hope he is at peace now... and I know he is no longer in pain.
Picture it. It's the late 1980s. I'm at a horse show in Hampton, Virginia. Someone is blaring Top 40 radio. It's The Fat Boys and their updated version of "Wipeout", which featured The Beach Boys.
Yikes...
Hearing that song at that moment left an indelible imprint on my brain. Now, whenever I hear The Fat Boys sing "Wipeout", I am reminded of my days as a competitive equestrienne. Those days are long over, of course. I haven't been riding in over twenty years. I miss it.
The Fat Boys came back into my consciousness yesterday, when I heard that one of the founding members died at age 52. Prince Markie Dee, otherwise known as Mark Anthony Morales, died on February 11, 2021, just eight days shy of his 53rd birthday. His death came after the untimely death of one of his bandmates, Darren (the Human Beat Box) Robinson, who died in 1995 at age 28. Robinson died while doing something he supposedly loved-- rapping. He'd been sitting on chair, performing for friends, when he fell off the chair and hit his head. He never regained consciousness. The other bandmate was Damon Wimbley, otherwise known as Kool Rock Ski.
The only other song by The Fat Boys that I remember as a hit was a remake of "The Twist" by Chubby Checker. It was kind of a fun song, although the 80s update doesn't really stand up to the original.
"Come on baby. Let's do the Twist."
Morales went on to work with other artists, notably Mary J. Blige. He's remembered as a great guy, very talented... and he died much too young at age 52. I certainly wasn't a mega fan of The Fat Boys, but their music always reminds me of a special time in my life-- the high school years. Seems crazy that they were that long ago.
2020 is really turning out to be a hell of a year for so many reasons. Last night, as I was about to go to sleep, I got the news that 65 year old Eddie Van Halen, of Van Halen, died after a long bout with throat cancer. As a child of the 70s and 80s, I grew up listening to Eddie's distinctive guitar licks. I was pretty shocked to hear of his demise, although I'm sure he went through hell with cancer.
Not only was he a great guitar player, but he had the most adorable smile!
I was really touched that Valerie Bertinelli, Eddie's first wife, wrote a very sweet tribute to him. It's lovely that they were able to stay friends after their split. It sounds like she was on good terms with his second wife, too. Eddie and Valerie shared their son, 29 year old Wolfgang, who is now the bass player for Van Halen. However, I can't even imagine how they will be able to replace Eddie. His sound was unmistakably his. Rock music lost a great innovator with Eddie's death. May he rest in peace.
Then this morning, I read about Johnny Nash, singer and guitar player famous for the song "I Can See Clearly Now", also passed away. Nash was 80 years old and had been in declining health. He died of natural causes at home in Houston, Texas, where he was born.
I don't know him as well as Eddie, but I do know this song... Maybe I need to listen to more of his stuff.
I was just thinking how much 2016 sucked as so many great musicians passed into the great beyond. 2020 is definitely giving 2016 a run for its money in suckitude.
The past few weeks have been really weird. I've been preoccupied by the strange way the world has changed in a matter of days. I never got around to blogging about Kenny Rogers' recent demise, which happened March 20th, the same day we had a COVID-19 related loss in the form of a dog we were hoping to adopt.
I still want to write about Mr. Rogers, though, because I have so many memories of growing up with his music. My mom was a big fan and we used to listen to him on 8 track in her car. Side note-- I never did get the appeal of an 8-track, but we did have a few 8-tracks at home. He was a huge star when I was a little girl, so a lot of his music reminds me of a time when things were simple and innocent.
One of Kenny's biggest hits. He was always great with a story song.
Personally, I loved his duets with Dottie West, probably even more than I did his famous Dolly Parton duets. I love Dolly, but Dottie's smokey vocals were a great match to Kenny's. They also sang some really nice songs.
One of my favorites by Kenny and Dottie...
And of course everyone loves "Islands in the Stream"... That was also the name of a pony who beat out me and my pony as state champions at the 1986 State 4H horse show.
I read Kenny Rogers' book a few years ago and followed him on Facebook. I was always impressed that it seemed like he did his own social media, which I thought was pretty amazing. He seemed very grounded for being such a big star.
Bill Withers died yesterday. My friend Meryl, who has a rock star husband, actually met Mr. Withers and said he was an extremely nice person. But he also sang some evergreen hits that will never go out of style...
"Ain't No Sunshine" was definitely a classic...
One of my favorites... might have to sing this one myself today.
And probably his biggest hit... this one was revived when I was in high school.
It's always sad to see wonderful musicians pass away. Kenny and Bill were two who will never be forgotten. I'm sure Heaven sounds a little sweeter now.
They say bad things happen in threes. Who is the next rock star to die?
Eddie Money died on September 13th after having just revealed that he had esophageal cancer. Ric Ocasek, of The Cars, died yesterday, after having been found in his Manhattan apartment. Money was 70 and Ocasek was 75. They lived normal life spans, but they provided the music of my youth. It makes me sad that they're gone.
This was a favorite back in the day...
And so was this... it always reminds me of roller skating.
I'd write more, but I'm in a shitty mood today and don't want to spread the wealth... I just didn't want to let these two deaths go unacknowledged. I probably appreciated Ric Ocasek more than Eddie Money, but both of these dudes made music that makes me smile. Rest in peace.
Just before I went to sleep last night, I got the news that James Ingram died yesterday. His death was announced on Twitter by his old friend, Debbie Allen. Ms. Allen, fondly remembered as Lydia Grant on Fame, did not specify the cause or time of death. However, I woke up this morning to see Mr. Ingram's death being reported by the likes of the New York Times.
I grew up in the 1980s, so my childhood was peppered with songs by James Ingram. I always appreciated his rich, warm, elegant baritone and R&B sensibility. I can't think of a single song he ever did that I didn't enjoy. I especially loved his duets with Patti Austin, "Baby, Come To Me" and "How Do You Keep the Music Playing", both of which I like to sing myself.
Sigh...
Patti Austin and James Ingram were perfect together.
James Ingram also memorably sang "Somewhere Out There" with Linda Ronstadt, a song I like to sing myself. And he sang the soulful, faithful duet, "Yah Mo Be There" with Michael McDonald.
"Somewhere Out There"
"Yah Mo Be There"
I also remember his hits, "One Hundred Ways" and "Just Once", both of which came out in the early 1980s and still sound great over 35 years later.
"One Hundred Ways"
"Just once"
I remember buying his greatest hits compilation, The Power of Great Music, when I was in college and a member of BMG Music Club. I wasn't familiar with all of the songs on that CD, but once I listened to them, I loved each song. Mr. Ingram kind of dropped off the radar in the 90s and 00s. I do remember wondering what happened to him. I notice that he stayed married to just one woman, Debra Robinson, whom he married in 1975, before he was a star.
It always saddens me to hear about the death of people who were popular when I was a child. James Ingram was just 66 years old, which seems too young for death. My heart goes out to his family and friends who knew him best and will miss his presence for more than just the great music he made.
Some time ago, I read Toni Tennille's book about her time as half of the popular duo, The Captain and Tennille. I reviewed the book on my main blog. Tennille was married to Daryl Dragon (the Captain) for about 39 years. According to her book, their marriage wasn't particularly loving. They were good friends and excellent professional collaborators, but not necessarily in love with each other... at least not in the physical sense.
Daryl Dragon died on January 2, 2019. He was 76 years old, living in Prescott, Arizona. Toni Tennille was at his side when he passed of kidney failure. She'd moved to Arizona to be closer to him, as he suffered from dementia. Recalling her book, when she described the incident that led to their divorce, I'm thinking he may have been suffering from dementia when she decided to split from him. And yet, she was there at the end when the brilliant, classically trained pianist took his final breath.
As a child of the 70s, I grew up listening to the Captain and Tennille's hits. I was too young to remember their variety show, although I can watch YouTube clips with the best of them. Dragon was kind of the quirky one, sitting there silently while Tennille was vivacious and charming. On stage, they belonged together.
In 1980, Toni Tennille had a talk show and her husband was there by her side.
Toni talks about her book.
I read a comment on Facebook in which someone compared Dragon to Richard Carpenter, but with better fashion sense. I don't know if that's really accurate, although I do know Dragon was a musical wizard. I will always remember him in his cap, making funny faces as his glamorous wife fronted their act.
Interesting video featuring the duo with the Carpenters and Ben Vereen.
I remember the first time I ever heard Aretha Franklin's name. It was 1980 and I was in the third grade. I had a classmate with an unusual name. This girl was in my class, although she was in what was considered the "slower" group. I think she was at least a year older than I was because she'd been held back. Her name was Retha, and she was white and came from our very provincial town. Back then, we were friends, although we didn't stay friends beyond that year. We ran in different crowds.
I remember going home one day that school year and telling my mom that I had a new friend named Retha. My mom said, "I wonder where that name came from. Is she black?"
I said, "No, she's white."
"Maybe she was named after Aretha Franklin." Mom said.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"She's a very famous black singer." Mom said.
Aretha in 2017, still demanding "Respect". She was quite regal when she performed, very befitting of the "Queen of Soul".
For all I know, my friend's unusual name was in honor of the Queen of Soul, who died yesterday after having been very ill. I haven't seen or talked to Retha since high school. I don't think I talked to her much when we were in high school, either, because, like I said, we ran in different crowds. I remember her to be someone who cared less about school than I did. She seemed to be more into boys. My mom probably would not have approved of her, had she met her. My mom has always been a bit classist.
However, for some reason, I never forgot that innocuous conversation with my mom. Every time I heard Aretha Franklin's unmistakable pipes, I'd think of Retha, the girl from my third grade class. And then I would forget Retha and concentrate on Aretha's magnificent range and passion. She truly was in a class by herself.
Although this is definitely not among Aretha's most impressive songs, it's always been a guilty pleasure for me.
Oddly enough, though, the first time I remember hearing "Respect", it was sung by Maureen McGovern on the film "Airplane!". She was playing a nun trying to comfort a passenger who had food poisoning. When I heard Aretha's version, Maureen's uptight nun version seemed all the more ridiculous.
The jive brothers aren't impressed.
I remember in the 1980s, Aretha Franklin had a few Top 40 hits. She sang, "Who's Zoomin' Who?" and "Freeway of Love", both songs that adolescent me liked. Of course, neither were as memorable as Franklin's remake of Otis Redding's "Respect" or "Think". Actually, I can't listen to "Think" and not think of yet another white person. In 1990, Canadian figure skater Elizabeth Manley skated to Aretha Franklin's song, "Think", and I never forgot it. I think that might have even been the first time I ever heard that song.
Liz Manley skates to an Aretha Franklin hit. Manley won the silver medal in ladies figure skating in 1988. I seem to remember the first time I saw this performance, Manley used the original version.
Of course I knew "Respect" in those days, but that was the first time I'd heard "Think", which kind of blew my mind. Not long after that, I invested in a double CD set featuring Aretha Franklin's hits. I discovered a lot of her other hits... songs like "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)", which I think I heard the first time at a party in Yerevan, Armenia. I watched yet another white person dancing to her music. He got mad when I slammed into him.
Actually, this is probably one of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs. It's so soulful and emotional. It takes a lot to be able to deliver this kind of performance.
Some time later, I was back in the States and watching 7th Heaven. Actress Jessica Biel, then about fourteen years old and playing Mary Camden, was singing in a band. She bravely took on Franklin's "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man".
Um... I'm not sure this was the best song for her...
Her version of "Respect" sounds a little like "The Hard Knock Life" from Annie.
Aretha Franklin was the kind of singer who appealed to everyone. She had a voice that made everyone respond. However, although many people tried to emulate her, almost no one could hold a candle to her. She was in her own league.
This is a Carole King song... and while I'd rather hear Carole sing it, Aretha Franklin certainly made it hers! Look at how the audience responds!
Another memorable take on "Natural Woman"... It's not that I don't appreciate Aretha's classic take on it-- it's more that I like to hear songwriters performing their music. I can't deny that Aretha turned Carole's song into a gold mine.
I'll be honest. It's taken me a very long time to learn to fully appreciate Aretha Franklin. In fact, I'm not sure I appreciate her as much as I should. I haven't listened to nearly enough of her music. She truly was a goddess in the music world, though, and worthy of all of the respect. We lost another musical legend yesterday, on the same date we lost the King of Rock and Roll in 1977. Maybe Aretha is up there in Heaven, singing with George Michael again...
Two stars in Heaven.
Anyway... Godspeed, Aretha. You were a rare and unique talent and the world will miss you.
Damn... I am a little heartbroken this morning to hear that Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is dead. He had a massive heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. Physicians were unable to revive him.
I read about his death last night, but then awoke to news that reports of his death were premature. It's now been confirmed that Petty is gone at 66. He joins so many great artists from my youth who have died too young.
When there was a flicker of hope that Petty wasn't going to die, a friend of mine on Facebook said, "If he pulls through, he will enjoy the iTunes downloads." I did chuckle at the black humor and I must admit that I did go and download a couple of Petty's albums this morning. There are still a lot that I don't own, but I figured I had to buy Damn the Torpedoes at the very least. That was the first of his albums that I remember. It was released in 1979 and I always loved his song, "Don't Do Me Like That".
I always loved this song for its powerful keyboard intro and timeless rock appeal...
As I mentioned in this morning's post on The Overeducated Housewife, I was reminded of Petty about ten days ago, as Bill and I were driving home from a fest in a town called Weil der Stadt. Petty's song, "Listen to Her Heart" came on and I found myself listening closely to the lyrics. They struck me as very sensitive and poignant.
"Listen to Her Heart"
And then there were songs he did that were just really sexy... I always thought the song "Breakdown" was very sensual.
This is an old song, but it still sounds great today.
"Here Comes My Girl" is another really sexy number. Timeless and pulsating with lust, this song never fails to make me think of a man who just really appreciates his girl.
Shit... I could sit here all day and play Petty's hits...
I learned while reading Don Felder's tell all about his time in The Eagles that he was one of Tom Petty's guitar teachers. They were both from Gainesville, Florida and, I guess, knew each other when neither was a big star. I'm sitting here trying to imagine Felder teaching Petty and then years later, seeing his student become a rock star. It must have been very gratifying for them both.
Well, this post is not very eloquent. I am not finding the right words I need to express myself right now. I'm just really sad Tom Petty is dead. Too many great artists are dying before their time. That makes me sad because really great music is one of the few things in life that make being here worthwhile for me. Many condolences to Tom Petty's family and friends. At least we're left with a treasure trove of great music to remember him by... He had forty great years in the music business. I'm glad I was around for them.
