Comments:
😢
Our theme this week will be . . .
. . . Charlie.
Please be ready to share memories, thoughts, and favorite tracks of my inimitable hero about thirty-six hours from now.
Cymbals of a symbol
Elliot55 will provide commentary from a drummer's perspective.
Art
Just saw Charlie Is My Darling again…
What an amazing documentary filmed over just one month in 1965. Highly recommended!
I met him in about 2009
He was at the Providence Place mall here in Rhode Island. My son was in the stroller, and my wife and I were shopping at Restoration Hardware. I spotted this impeccably dressed older guy across the store. Had to be a Saville Row jacket and perfectly tailored pants. He was playing with some dumbbells that were in the store. I did a triple take. I had just bought a Rolling Stones coffee table book that had a picture of Charlie and his wife, that was recent. I saw her, and knew it was him. It was college weekend here, and I think he may have had a place in CT, so he may have just been shopping or had a relative graduating from Brown University or some local college. But, it was him. I told my wife, who said just keep the memory of seeing him, and not to bother him, but, me being me, I couldn’t help myself. I went over and said hello. He was so nice. I told I’m that I did not mean to bother him...but, I wanted to say hello. He was very shy. I simply said we miss you, would we be seeing you anytime soon and he chuckled, and said, “well, that would be up to Mick and Keith...” we has a good laugh, I’m sure that he could tell I was a huge fan it had to be written all over my face. We were lucky enough to have 7th row seats at Gillette a couple of years ago on their last US tour with him. I’ve seen them maybe 10-12 times over the years, and they never sounded better than they did that last show I saw them. He had so much more to give, even at his age. He will be sorely missed. So talented. So steady. Keith often extolled his virtues, and said that he played in tandem with Charlie. Just listen to the early stuff. No question, and he loved Charlie, for good reason. He played rhythm with Charlie.
Just pure class. I also was lucky enough to meet John Entwistle on one of his solo tours at a club here in the mid 80s. After the show he came to the bar for a drink and my friend and I bought him drinks and hung out for quite awhile. Another quiet, super talented guy. He wrote and sang a couple of my favorite Who songs. If you have not already done so, listen to “My Wife” live from the Kids are Alright or from the Royal Albert Hall show, I think from 2006. And “Dreaming from the Waist” from Live at Kilburn. Better to watch it if you can. He was insane. I miss them both as they were 2 of the major backbones of my 2 favorite bands.
My 2 brief brushes with 2 of the greatest of all time. Sad to see the legends go. I try to be open-minded, but, the golden age of rock has passed and I am lucky to have caught some of it.
Speechless. I met Entwistle on one occasion after being introduced by Miguel, the head chef . . .
. . . at The Rainbow Bar and Grill. Rubbed shoulders with John and his pal Cy hundreds of times, though; they shared a center table at The Rainbow for years.
Cy just passed away last month. I've forgotten his real name; everyone called him 'Cy' on account of his exceedingly large nose (à la Cyrano de Bergerac).
What I wouldn't give to have met Charlie once. Thanks much for sharing your story, Greg.
Art
I just heard Don Everly passed . . .
. . . three days before Charlie. Somehow never caught wind of that story until now. Seminal rocker, phenomenal . . .
[Phil Everly, left, Don right]
. . . vocalist. Don and younger brother Phil were to vocal harmony what Cat Stevens and Alun Davies were to guitar. Utterly gorgeous tones they made.
All credit to our Captain - 'twas his . . .
. . . suggestion. I was initially going with favorite two- and four-wheelers, but Cap had the presence of mind to propose an homage to Charlie.
😌
A fitting homage dear Art! Look forward to view and read…
… the thread next Friday and weekend. I bet it will be a very interesting edition of WS.
Best! Abel