Just to add another interesting link, ESPN dot com is reprinting a reliably mythological Hunter S. Thompson column from a couple years ago, describing a short visit to Woody Creek by Mr. Zevon...

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/thompson/

Way to go, Eric. And condolences. I know you are at least as big a fan of Warren as I am.

Thanks Nat, I am sad but it has seemed inevitable for so long that now I am ready to simply be a fan again.

I know what you mean. I do hope they rerun that Letterman appearance. Warren was terrific, and thankfully Dave (and Mr. Z) kept the proceedings from becoming maudlin.

I want to see that and the VH1 thing again. Although there is usually a kneejerk reaction to such circumstances, I really am beginning to think Warren belongs in the Rock Hall, although it will take a long time. I get the sense he may come into appropriate appreciation over time a la the Velvet Underground. They don't go much for singer-songwriters, though. We'll see.

I want to see that VH1 show for the first time. Not having cable is a pain sometimes. And I believe WZ deserves being in the HOF for talent's sake. You're right about singer-songwriters getting short shrift there. That's right... you live in Cleveland. I got to see the HOF when last I visited there. It was much better than I had anticipated, but it would be even better with Warren enshrined.

Of course you all know what this means,

California is going to slide into the Ocean.

Dave Letterman is one class act. He just gave a lovely monologue on Warren and what he meant as a human being, musician, and part of the "Late Show" family. He showed a clip of the October show where WZ advised us all to "enjoy every sandwich." And Paul and the band are playing Zevon songs all show long. I love it when Dave digs down deep and talks from the heart. And also when he goes nuts, as he did when he went directly from his emotional remembrance to a clip showing Dubya spitting and then said, "Hope you enjoyed that, Warren!" (That sound you're hearing isn't people booing. It's folks going, "Daaaaaaaaave...")

Turn them speakers up full blast
Play it all night long

Link box looks great P, thanks!

Dave Barry writes about Zevon including when he performed with the Rock Bottom Remainders.

And you can watch last night's Letterman monologue here (just click on Sept. 8). And this is from an AP story:

"He was a poet and a storyteller and a good friend of ours," Letterman said. "We all knew this was coming, hoping that it wouldn't, but yesterday afternoon in California the inevitable happened. So we're very sad about that."

He noted that Zevon had appeared as a guest on the program and Letterman's old NBC "Late Night" show more than a dozen times and had filled in for bandleader Paul Shaffer nearly two dozen times.

"People are always asking me what do I like about his music," Letterman said.

"It was just thundering and exciting and rhythmic and complicated and unusual rock 'n' roll," he continued. "It was not the kind of rock 'n' roll you would hear much of. And then the lyrics, oh my God, the lyrics were so vivid. Just very evocative and each song that you listened to was like watching a motion picture."

Shaffer and the band played Zevon's songs throughout the show, which ended with Letterman speaking to the camera, saying, "Goodnight, Warren, we'll see ya."

Very nice Steve, thanks

Warren Zevon was a master writer and singer. I am very saddened by his death as he was one of if not my favorite performer. I have every album he put out except for The Wind which I will purchase as soon as I am able. To me and many of my friends this is a great loss to the music world it is akin to the death of John Lennon, George Harrison or Elvis. What made Warren so great was his unique style, that was tell it like it is and completely his and only his.

WARREN ZEVON will remain one of the most provocative
and wise song writers/story tellers of all time. i have all of his albums including his VH1 biography and "the wind" soundtrack and they sound absolutely amazing as anything else he's written. But the wind I take more heart to because it was the last words running through his heart and mind before he passed away. He was definitely very strong in finishing this album which makes it so beautiful. Warren you will not be forgotten...."play it all night long"

very glad to see Warren get some love - thanks FRed! It's been almost exactly two years of neglect on this one