This one is best done from a pov angle. When I was in Youtube looking for another artist, the two names Letterman and Zevon popped up in the sidebar and I thought why not?
Expecting it to open with a song of Warren Zevon's and then the interview, he didn't seem to be around but the band leader and Letterman were eulogizing. Then I noticed that the whole show was about Zevon and a sinking feeling came over that this was an obituary.
Close. He died a few months later of lung cancer and this was his last appearance. Then the next surprise came when he actually shuffled across the floor and joined Letterman for the interview, a physical shell of what he'd once been and yet still sharp of mind in answer to the questions.
I was about to click out, as these things are not too nice but couldn't click out - his answers were loaded with humour and Letterman himself asked Zevon how he could joke in this situation. Letterman didn't feel he would and Zevon immediately answered, "Oh yes, I know you would." [6:25]
The first half of this long video is eulogy so you might like to let it load and come back to click halfway through - I think this interview is well worth the time and trouble.
It certainly affected me.
Zevon when relatively healthy and a lot younger:
Probably only for the afficianados:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Expecting it to open with a song of Warren Zevon's and then the interview, he didn't seem to be around but the band leader and Letterman were eulogizing. Then I noticed that the whole show was about Zevon and a sinking feeling came over that this was an obituary.
Close. He died a few months later of lung cancer and this was his last appearance. Then the next surprise came when he actually shuffled across the floor and joined Letterman for the interview, a physical shell of what he'd once been and yet still sharp of mind in answer to the questions.
I was about to click out, as these things are not too nice but couldn't click out - his answers were loaded with humour and Letterman himself asked Zevon how he could joke in this situation. Letterman didn't feel he would and Zevon immediately answered, "Oh yes, I know you would." [6:25]
The first half of this long video is eulogy so you might like to let it load and come back to click halfway through - I think this interview is well worth the time and trouble.
It certainly affected me.
Zevon when relatively healthy and a lot younger:
Probably only for the afficianados:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
That guy is incredible to be able to handle the nearing of his end that way.
ReplyDeleteFYI -- Warren died not of lung cancer but of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Warren's son, Jordan, is the national spokesperson for both the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org) and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (www.curemeso.org).
ReplyDeleteWarren was a true genius, and his loss is felt every day.
Thanks for that correction, Charlene. He was indeed a genius and such people have flaws and can be perfectionists but he was also human, very human. I liked how he thanked Letterman for being the best friend of his music.
ReplyDeleteI never met him but I did meet Jackson Browne in Australia and was struck by the man's fey charm - no wonder the two admired each other.