Loser Rock

We all know that the Everly Brothers put the sweet harmony into rock'n'roll. Every article about the great loss of Phil Everly this past week mentions the influence that the boys had on the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkle, the Louvin Brothers, the Byrds and pretty much everyone else.

That was just the tip of the iceberg, really. Oh, sure, there has been sad music since Pythagoras heard the bells. The really lowdown, cry in your beer, loser song in rock'n'roll seems to have sprung right from Don and Phil, though. In 1960 they released possibly the all time pitiful ballad, When Will I Be Loved, that Phil had penned. Later that year they moved to Warner Brothers Records and released their first single, Cathy's Clown, which they had written together.

There are others in the catalog. Lots of others. Do you think that we would have ever heard I'm A Loser or Help! without those Everly gems. Not in my opinion.

I've been asked forever about why I write such sad songs. Not only have I never had a good answer, I hadn't even noticed until I was asked. 

Well, now I know. We all know a little heartache. I suppose that turning it into song can get to be a habit. Thanks, guys.

Money, Ego and Regrets

Well, whattta' ya know. Life is actually happening without my interference. Everything seems to go precisely as it should if I don't yank the wheel. If you let them, they'll trick you into worrying about money. Really? Green paper that they print up and decide who to give it to? Really?

If you give them the power, they'll have you worrying about social status, too. Do you mean to tell me that those crooks in D.C. have a better insight into folks' worth than we do? Or that a bunch of lawyers dressed up like pirates, throwing up on each others' boots once a year, get to decide who is and who is not important?

Well, sir, they have their reality and I have mine. Mine's better. Listen to pretty music. Dance when you want to or when someone else wants you to. Love with all your heart. It's our only real currency. Don't study war. The day will come when our resources go into peace and love and protecting the planet. Watch the puppies and the kittens. Keep an eye on the dolphins. Read up on bonobo culture. 

All the good guys have the same, simple message. Love.

On The Rock'n'Roll

How fortunate for me to have been born at exactly the right time for rock'n'roll. The music itself would be enough but the social change that was left by that high tide has more to do with who I am than all of my schooling combined. My entire world was shaped by Elvis and Chuck and Buddy and Bo.

We all know that the music will survive but art survived Picasso and Matisse's demise, too. Once the last of the pioneers have passed through it will all be history. Just history. Thanks again, Mom.

Sad Won't Do

You run these pesky blues off and they come back. Bigger, meaner than before. Unable to even get to the worst of it, let me just say that this seems destined to be a hell of a year. I've got a sadness that flows in my veins.

When we lose a rock'n'roll hero it always hurts me to my soul. Losing Phil Everly is different. It's like half the hero passed. Heaven help us all.

Wake Up

What time is it? How much time do we have left? Is this the last set? Funny, I never cared before.

Talkin' Animals

With all credit and love to my pal, Duncan Strauss, my new year rolls out with me thinking about all the animals in my life. Talk about your unconditional love.

My home is not all that I share with Jamaica and Angel. They're both in on every plan and every heartache. I'm one lucky guy.

Dear Sweet Friends

Well, I never claimed to be smart but I'm getting closer. It suddenly occurs to me that if you're not all that bright, surround yourself with brilliant folks. That's always been my method in music. Not by design, really. I'm still not that smart.

Make sure that you're around loving, kind, thoughtful people. They seem to pop up in my life all the time. I've always been pretty sure that I'm some kind of proof that the universe takes care of the ones who can't take care of themselves. I'm plenty grateful, too.