Friday, June 20, 2025

La Fin de La Semaine Essay Question: Special "Pardon Me, But Have We Been Introduced?" Edition

Well, it's been an, er, interesting couple of days, both in geo-political and musical news -- this just in: Lou Christie has passed at the age of 82 (and no, he was NOT struck by lightning) -- and I'm frankly exhausted. I mean, Trump's bullshit performance/rant at the White House flagpole installation alone would have worn me out.

That being the case, and given that you're probably burnt out as well, I thought I would post the most non-threatening question I could come up with.

Which leads us, inexorably, to today's business. To wit:

...and the post-Elvis solo pop star or band member (in any genre) you would most like to meet or have met one-on-one is...???

No arbitrary rules whatsoever, thank me very much. Just somebody, past or present, you think you would have enjoyed hanging out with for a little while.

My nominee? I think you'll be surprised to learn it's Dusty. Or Miss Springfield if I'm nasty.

Why? For two reasons. 1) I would have loved to hear that sexy/velvety singing voice just talking to me. And 2) By all accounts, she was what we used to call "a great broad." 😎

Alrighty then -- who would YOUR choices be?

And have a great weekend, everybody!!!

[h/t ChrisE]

17 comments:

edward said...

I'm afraid this question is unanswerable due to the caveat "Never Meet Your Heroes."
Bob, Bruce, Elvis C.k would lead the list of people whose work I admire, but whom it would be best to never meet.

steve simels said...

I dunno....I met Roger McGuinn, whose work changed my life, and he couldn't have been nicer. And I had cocktails with Southside Johnny, and it was one of the most fun couple of hours of my adult life. 😎

Allan Rosenberg said...

Re: Trump - May I quote the lyrics of Keith Reid: "In the Autumn of My Madness which in Coming Won't be Long".

Re: Meet Up: I think I'd enjoy sharing a dinner with Dave Alvin. His musical knowledge and his compassion for the welfare of people has always impressed me. I think it would be a fascinating get together.

Captain Al

paulinca said...

Steve, you've got a couple of stories there! I have had the privilege of meeting many of my favorite musicians. Richie Havens was as gentle and kind as was always known to be. The guys from the Allman Brothers band (2000s) were fun guys though Gregg was painfully quiet. Bob Weir, at his restaurant, was wonderfully accommodating and polite when I introduced myself. Little Steven is also awesome.

steve simels said...

I had lunch with Patti Smith, who took a while to warm up to me, but ended up inviting me up to her apartment to give me a pamphlet of a poem she wrote with Tom Verlaine. I have been in love with her ever since. 😎

Allan Rosenberg said...

I just realized that Trump babbles like what my daughter called a Florida "Condo Commando"! Commenting on anything & everything without any knowledge of anything.

Captain Al

ChrisE said...

I've been lucky enough to meet and, in some cases, form friendships with several musicians I admire: Moe Berg from Pursuit Of Happiness, Marshall Crenshaw, Robert Pollard from Guided By Voices. Jay Ferguson from Sloan is one of the nicest people on the planet. I met Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, The Grays) a few years ago and he was really cool. Don Dixon was also very nice.

ChrisE said...

One other: Dennis Diken from the Smithereens. He was really nice, gave me and my friend signed Smithereens postcards.

Alzo said...

Mister Charlie Watts. The steady hand at the center of the storm and a true gentleman.

steve simels said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
steve simels said...

I would have LOVED to have met Charlie.

pete said...

At the moment I'd most like to meet Tromp (I'd do most of the talking) but that's outside the parameter. Inside it, Walter Becker.

steve simels said...

I'd love to meet Donald Fagen. 😎

Cleveland Jeff said...

Chris E I also met Don Dixon and he was very sweet and gracious. And I love his work. Bill Bartlett (Lemon Pipers, Ram Jam) was a great guy, hot shit guitar player, and funny too. Dusty would be great to meet, but you do know she was gay, right Steve?

cthulhu said...

At one point, I would have said Pete Townshend, but after reading his autobiography…I still love his music and will be seeing the band on the “Song Is Over” tour, and I still agree with Glyn Johns’ observation that “it is impossible to overstate the influence of Pete Townshend on popular music”, but…he’s just a bit too tightly wrapped to be number one on my “musician hangout” list.

So, I’d say Joe Walsh - amazing musician, seen it all, and really seems like a genuinely nice, cool guy.

steve simels said...

Uh yeah. 😎

steve simels said...

I think Joe Walsh would be fun to meet. But I'm reminded of Don Henley's comment about him -- "He's an interesting couple of guys." 😎