Warren Zevon

I want to write this first real post here on my blog about Warren Zevon.

There are few songwriters in America who combined sheer musical talent and virtuosity with a bitter and eccentric view of life. I suppose that's why Warren Zevon is kind of a hero to me.

As a young cat, Zevon studied music with Igor Stravinsky out in California. He became a longtime friend of Hunter S. Thompson and was a perennial figure in the L.A. music scene of the 70's and 80's. He toured with Jackson Browne, who produced his first album, and he has often been compared to Browne's musical style, although he distinguished himself with his dark and humorous lyrics, a marked departure from Browne's rampant optimism and romantic lyricism.

Frank Zappa once said, "Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read."

If that's true I'm afraid it is this questionable profession that I find myself heading towards; perhaps I am doomed to incarnate the millennial version of "gonzo journalism".

Perhaps, if another figure as great as Zevon appears on the rock scene, I will be interviewing someone who can talk for people who can read.

That's all for today. Keep it copacetic, my hush puppies.

I'm hiding in Honduras
I'm a desperate man!
Send lawyers, guns, and money. . .
The shit has hit the fan!

- Warren Zevon

I should've listened to what my Daddy said
Then I wouldn't have so much confusion in my aching head!

- Frank Black