Warren Zevon

[petecaniac]

I'm not sure if any of the forum members are Warren Zevon fans but I wanted to let you know that Sunday @ 10pm on VH1 there will be a documentary about Warren and the recording of his new (probably last :sad: ) album. Those of you who are not familiar with Warren Zevon will no doubt recognize the song "Werewolves of London" which is probably his most familiar song. Also, (to make this somewhat hockey related) he has a song called "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" which is funny and tear jerking at the same time, and I recommend it to anyone on this board.
Mr. Zevon was diagnosed last year with Mesothelioma (sp?), and given 3 months to live. Luckily that was about 12 months ago and he was able to record his final album which will be in stores on 8/26.
Sorry to ramble so long but I just wanted to give a heads up to those who may be interested.
Pete

[Jeff O Rocks]

very sad...I read that somewhere..Glad he could complete his album.. :sad:

[Shattered]

Thanks for posting this - would have missed it otherwise.

[Stormbringer]

Warren Zevon is an awesome singer-songwriter, who has had some other songs some of you may recognize besides "Werewolves", like...

"Accidentally Like A Martyr"
"Excitable Boy"
"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"* - A personal fave.
"Lawyers, Guns, and Money"* - As much as I like "Werewolves", I have to say that I like this, the other really huge hit of Zevon's, a little more. :)
"Play It All Night Long"
"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (A Linda Rondstadt cover)
"Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner"* - Another personal fave.
"When Johnny Strikes Up the Band"

Zevon also did "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)", which I highly recommend to everyone here for obvious reasons. ;) A little factoid about that song...David Letterman, who happens to be a very good friend of Zevon, is the announcer constantly saying "HIT SOMEBODY!" in the chorus of the said song.

Glad to know he's able to put out another album...very horrible what Zevon's having to deal with. :sad:

[Shell]

I saw him on my 21st birthday (saw two of him actually ;)) What fun memories.. thanks for the heads up!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I saw this thing advertised last night on VH-1. I'm so glad I heard about it. Makes me get all teary eyed though. :cry: But hey....he's not dead yet!

[rons#1fan]

I too was fortunate enough to see him at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center many years ago. Nothing flashy just some good music and I have to admit Lawyers, Guns & Money is one of my favorites !

I heard awhile back about his condition and was sad to hear - thinking he wasn't going to complete the album so it's good to hear he has.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Just as an aside, you all might be interested to know "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" was co-written by Mitch Albom. :sick: Still a good song, though.

[dboonisalive]

Zevon is a genius who will always remain underrated and underappreciated. I'll be watching Sunday night, and when he finally goes, I'll probably be more bummed out than I was when the news came down about Entwhistle, Strummer or either of the recently deceased Ramones. There's just something about Zevon that makes his impending death seem all the more cruel; I don't know, he's got this Zen-like righteous anger thing that I'm really gonna miss.

Oh, BTW, "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is actually a Zevon original that was covered by Ronstadt. Just thought I'd clarify that. ;)

[Stormbringer]

Oh, BTW, "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is actually a Zevon original that was covered by Ronstadt. Just thought I'd clarify that. ;)

I have actually wondered if it was one way or the other...thanks for the correction, DBoon. :)

[AbNormal27]

Just a reminder that the album is to be released today. Interesting note, I heard this morning on 102.3 (Bob FM) that Zevon was quoted in a recent interview that he loves his fans, but wish they would be a little less fanatical since his grim diagnosis. I guess all the attention is a bit much for him right now.

Aaryn

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah, Aaryn, I wonder if that quote maybe is connected with something he mentioned in that VH1 thing. He said that he had a lot of fans coming up to him saying what a hero he was for not taking cancer treatments so he could finish his album. Apparently he finds that rather offensive (as would I). He's a little weirded out by the fact that his fans are martyring him a bit before he is even dead, I think.

[AbNormal27]

He's a little weirded out by the fact that his fans are martyring him a bit before he is even dead, I think.

Well I don't blame him then. That is a little morbid.

Aaryn

[sandstorm]

I saw Warren Zevon a few years back at what used to be called New Bar at the Charlie Goodnights complex. The show was fantastic!!! It was great to see him in an intimate setting like that. I too saw him at Saratoga years ago but was in to much of an alcohol haze to remember much. He is a phenomenal artist and has written songs for numerous others. My personal fav's are " I'll sleep when I'm dead" and "Roland the headless Thompson Gunner" . I'll be getting the new CD by the weekend.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

My personal fav's are " I'll sleep when I'm dead" Sorta weird now though, huh?

I'll be getting the new CD by the weekend. I got it for Mr SHC today but I want to let him open it so I haven't listened yet! It's killing me to have it sitting here right beside me and not be able to hear it! :eek2:

[dboonisalive]

Looks like I'm in time to place the first review of Zevon's new CD, at least in this space. :smoke:

I just realized that emoticon could seem morbid given the circumstances (Zevon was once a heavy smoker and drinker, though I don't think it's clear if that's directly linked to his rare form of lung cancer), but I don't think he would mind. He's got the image of a skull smoking a cigarette on the new album's cover.

Anyway, to the review. Overall, it's solid, often inspired stuff, at least up to his general high standards. I think a few songs might be rushed, but hell, who could blame him? Wanting to finish the damn thing before you die could be a pretty good motivator, I'd imagine. I'd say my favorite tracks would include "Disorder in the House," the fun, exhilaratingly typical "Rest of the Night" and the emotionally resonant closer, "Keep Me in Your Heart." This may not be his finest album, but it's pretty damn good, and focused considering the circumstances of its creation. Many of the songs deal strongly with mortality, but that's a common theme of Zevon's anyway. And more often than not, the biting lyrics find a way to skewer the effed up world we live in at the same time as he says a moving goodbye to a life lived well.

Thanks, Warren. We're looking forward to the next one, just in case. ;)

[Jeff O Rocks]

Warren Zevon Dies After Fight With Cancer
Singer Resumed Smoking After Cancer Diagnosis

POSTED: 7:41 a.m. EDT September 8, 2003

LOS ANGELES -- Warren Zevon has died after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 56.

His manager told the Los Angeles Times that the singer-songwriter died Sunday at his Los Angeles-area home. Zevon was known for songs like "Werewolves of London," "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," and "Life'll Kill Ya."

A lifelong smoker until quitting several years ago, Zevon announced in September 2002 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and had been given only three months to live.


He spent much of his time since then visiting with his two grown children and working on a final album. "The Wind" was released to critical acclaim just last month.

Zevon faced his illness with a sense of humor. He said, "really, the thing I want is to last through the winter so I don't miss the new James Bond movie."

He also resumed smoking.

:cry:

[AbNormal27]

Thanks for the memories.

Aaryn

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:cry:

[StormShaman]

:cry:

[Stormbringer]

:sad: :cry:

[sandstorm]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! :sad: :cry:

[Jeff O Rocks]

I thought this was very nice about David Letterman...if we are missed and remembered then we are never forgotten right?? :cry:

Zevon Memorial Planned; Letterman Says Goodbye
'Werewolves' Singer Dies Sunday

POSTED: 11:56 a.m. EDT September 9, 2003

A small, private service is being planned for singer-songwriter Warren Zevon.

According to his manager, Brigette Barr, Zevon's family and friends will attend the service, after which his ashes will be spread in the Pacific Ocean.

Zevon, who was 56, died in his sleep Sunday after a yearlong battle with lung cancer.


The composer, who recorded such hits as the rock classic "Werewolves of London," announced in September 2002 that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was only given three months to live.

Despite the grim diagnosis, Zevon proceeded to record a final album titled "The Wind," which was released in August. It features several rock luminaries, including Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles' Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmidt, Tom Petty, Styx's Tommy Shaw and frequent Zevon collaborator Jackson Browne.

A public memorial service may occur at a later date.

Letterman Remembers

Reacting to Zevon's death, talk show host David Letterman decided to use his "Late Show" venue to bid farewell to the composer.

On the broadcast Monday night, Letterman talked about his friendship with Zevon, who had frequently appeared as a guest, and also played with the talk show's band.

Letterman talked about his admiration for Zevon's music, calling it thundering, exciting, rhythmic, complicated and unusual.

Letterman said he knew Zevon's death was coming, but that didn't make it any less sad.

The broadcast ended with Letterman speaking to the camera, saying, "Goodnight, Warren, we'll see ya."

[jhardman]

I'm a Zevon fan, and it was sad to see this. The final album is great.

If you ever go to Gypsy's Shiny Diner in Cary, they have a jukebox with a lot of old songs in it. One that sticks way out of place is a single with "Excitable Boy" on one side and "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" on the other. You have to find it on the main jukebox - it isn't available at the remote units in the booths.

My son loves getting milkshakes there, and I play those two sings every time I go in. If you go, play 'em as a tribute and as a request for the folks there to keep that record in that jukebox. :-)

[Shell]

VH1 Will Release Zevon Special on DVD
57 minutes ago
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - The VH1 special about the making of Warren Zevon (news)'s final album, "The Wind," will be released on DVD in March.

The album, which includes a cover of Bob Dylan (news)'s "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and the poignant "Keep Me in Your Heart," was released to critical acclaim shortly before the singer-songwriter's death in September. Zevon died at age 56 after a yearlong battle with lung cancer.

Jordan Zevon, executive producer of "The Wind," says the DVD will show things that wouldn't fit in the VH1 special and will include footage that shows his father's personality.

"We got together with Artemis (Records) ... and I went through all the tapes and tried to pick some extra tracks to put on there," he told AP Radio in a recent interview.

"They're all moments that are uncut. They're not edited together for the sake of time and go from bit to bit. They're actually just little moments in the making of the record."

Warren Zevon has been nominated for five Grammy Awards including song of the year for "Keep Me in Your Heart." The Grammys (news - web sites) will be presented Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.

[jhardman]

Thanks for posting that. It's a DVD I definitely don't want to miss.

[Shell]

somehow I completely missed that Hunter S. Thompson writes for Page 2 on ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/archive?columnist=hunter_s._thompson&root=page2).. since I just found it, I was reading some previous articles and came across this one..

Death of an American poet
By Hunter S. Thompson
Page 2 columnist

Editor's Note: Singer/songwriter Warren Zevon died of lung cancer Sunday night at the age of 56. To celebrate the life of his good friend, Page 2's Hunter S. Thompson offers this look back at a column he wrote about Zevon in May of 2001.

Warren Zevon arrived at my house on Saturday and said he was in the mood to write a few songs about Hockey. "Thank God you're home," he said. "I had to drive all night to get out of Utah without being locked up. What's wrong with those people?"

"What people?" I asked him.

"The ones over in Utah," he said nervously. "They've been following me ever since Salt Lake City. They pulled me over at some kind of police checkpoint and accused me of being a Sex Offender -- I was terrified. They even had a picture of me."

"Nonsense," I said. "They're doing that to a lot of people, these days. They're rounding up the Bigamists before the Olympics start. They don't want to be embarrassed in the eyes of the world again."

Warren seemed far too frantic to do any serious song-writing, so I tried to calm him down with some of the fresh Jimson tea I'd brewed up for the Holiday. I knew he was a rabid hockey fan, so I told him we could watch the Stanley Cup playoff game on TV pretty soon.

"Excellent," he said. "I have come to Love professional hockey. I watch it all the time on TV -- especially the Stanley Cup playoffs."

Patrick Roy's performance in the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was one to worship.
"Well," I replied with a smile, "tonight is our lucky night. Game 1 is coming up on ESPN very soon. We will drink some more of this Tea and get ourselves Prepared for it."

"Bless you, Doc," he said. "We can Watch the game together, and then write a song about it." He paused momentarily and reached again for the teapot.... "This is very exciting," he said eagerly. " I can hardly wait to see Patrick Roy in action. He is one of my personal heroes. Roy is the finest athlete in Sports now. I worship him."

I nodded, but said nothing. There was a far-away look in his eyes now, and he spoke in an oddly Dreamy voice. I could see that he had forgotten all about his troubles in Utah, and now he was jabbering happily....

When the phone rang he ignored me and picked it up before I could get to it. "Patrick Roy fan club," he said. "Zevon speaking. We are ready for the game, here -- are you ready?" He laughed. "Are you a Bigamist? What? Don't lie to me, you yellow-bellied pervert!" Then he laughed again, and hung up.

"That will teach those Bigamists a lesson," he chuckled. "That fool will never call back!"

I jerked the phone away from him and told him to calm down. "You're starting to act weird," I told him. "Get a grip on yourself."

The game was the most dominating display of big time hockey either of us had ever seen. The Avalanche humiliated the favored defending champion N.J. Devils.

Patrick Roy got his shutout and "could have beaten N.J. all by himself," Zevon boasted. "He made midgets of us all. I will never forget this game. Our song will be called 'You're a Whole Different Person When You're Afraid.' "

Which proved to be true, when we played it back on his new-age Hugo machine 40 hours later.

Zevon is famous for his ability to stay awake for as long as it takes -- often for 85 or 90 straight hours. "I wrote 'Hit Somebody in 75 hours,' " he said, "and look what happened to that one."

Indeed. It rocketed to the top of the charts and was hailed as "the finest song ever written about hockey" by Rolling Stone and "Songs of the Rich and Famous."

Warren Zevon is as adept at songwriting as he is with a .44 magnum.
Warren Zevon is a poet. He has written more classics than any other musician of our time, with the possible exception of Bob Dylan. ... He is also a crack shot with a .44 magnum and an expert on lacrosse -- which we also watched while we worked. He went wild when Princeton beat Syracuse for the NCAA Championship on Sunday.

He disappeared in the middle of the night, still without sleep -- saying he was headed to Indianapolis to write a song with Colts owner James Irsay, who just returned from buying Kerouac's original manuscript of "On The Road" for $2.43 million at Christie's Auction House in New York. Irsay is another one of Warren's heroes.

Warren is a profoundly mysterious man, and I have learned not to argue with him, about hockey or anything else. He is a dangerous drinker, and a whole different person when he's afraid.

Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's books include Hell's Angels, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, The Proud Highway, Better Than Sex and The Rum Diary. His new book, Fear and Loathing in America, has just been released. A regular contributor to various national and international publications, Thompson now lives in a fortified compound near Aspen, Colo. His column, "Hey, Rube," appears each Monday on Page 2.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/pg2/2001/0529/photo/a_zevon_i.jpg

[Stormbringer]

What a wonderful article about a great musician/songwriter/dude...thanks for posting that Shell.

[jhardman]

This just in....

Gypsy's Shiny Diner has removed the 45 of "Werewolves In London" and "Lawyers, Guns and Money" from its jukebox. It's replacement: A Clay Aiken 45 of "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

Now, I've got no problem with this because Clay is a local hero and all, but I wanna know this: how did Clay get a 45 made? Who makes those anymore? Gypsy's must have laid out major coin for it or perhaps it was donated. I'd love to know the scoop here.

Meanwhile, shall we get the Town of Cary to impose fines on Gypsy's until they remove another 45 from the list and restore the Zevon greatness? :-)