I have posted before about the songwriting prowess of Warren
Zevon.
In 2002, upon being diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Zevon
refused treatments he believed might incapacitate him and began recording his
final album, The Wind.
This album has a lot of meaning for me.
A few years before, I
had had my first real brush with death when my younger sister (who I was very
close to) died of cancer, and more recently, I had turned 40, and began
becoming very aware of being past the halfway point.
The album gives a glimpse
into the heart and mind of a man who knows he is on borrowed time.
On October 30, 2002, Zevon was featured on the Late Show
with David Letterman as the only guest for the entire hour.
Zevon had been a frequent
guest and occasional substitute bandleader on Letterman's television shows
since Late Night was first broadcast in 1982.
During this broadcast, when asked by Letterman if he knew
something more about life and death now, he offered this insight on dying:
"Enjoy every sandwich."
I believe life really is that simple. It’s the small moments
that we need to learn to treasure.
Warren Zevon died on September 7, 2003, aged 56, at his home
in Los Angeles.
He received five posthumous Grammy nominations, including Song
of the Year for the ballad "Keep Me in Your Heart".
The Wind won two
Grammys, with the album itself receiving the award for Best Contemporary Folk
Album, while "Disorder in the House", Zevon's duet with Bruce
Springsteen, was awarded Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
These posthumous awards were the first Grammys of Zevon's
thirty-plus year career.
This song still makes me get a little misty-eyed...
...and this one, a cover of the Dylan classic, is downright haunting...
The rest is in the Vault...
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For once I don't actually have to go to the Vault for this one. Zevon is a big favorite of both of us, and this album in particular is one I listen to often. So instead, I'll say that I hadn't heard the "Enjoy every sandwich" quote. But I like that, and it's something I'm certainly going to remember.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that Letterman episode is on You Tube somewhere-well worth watching..
ReplyDeleteShame that he didn't live to see those Grammy's. I do remember him being on Letterman often.
ReplyDeleteIt was Letterman's swan song that made me think of this-I was thinking what a shame Zevon could not have made an appearance.
DeleteHe really died young. I never really kept up with Zevon's music--not particularly my favorite style--but he was good at what he did and he was a legend who has secured his place in the music history of our era.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
His radio play tended to be the eccentric songs, but some of the songs others made into hits (Hasten Down The Wind comes to mind) were downright genius.
DeleteReminds me of the motto I and an old girlfriend's dad came up with. "Live for the moment... and the moment is raw hamburger."
ReplyDeleteI feel like we over think life, CW-being happy is not really that hard.
DeleteDecide to be happy.
Of course, you can't pull it off every day...
I loved his work. My dad is a musician and was a fan of Zevon. I of course loved the often played Werewolves of London. Enjoy every sandwich seems simple enough. Oh and I'm your 99th new follower. I am tempted to create a new blog name so I can be your 100th because that just seems cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and following, Holli.
DeleteZevon was a great songwriter, and although he's known for "Werewolves" there are so many killer songs (check out the song "My Ride's Here" or the ballads "Reconsider Me" or "The Heartache")
Maybe I should come up with some sort of prize for the 100th follower...