Back in the days when music ruled the world, we all had our benchmarks. The night The Beatles played Ed Sullivan. That day at Altamont. The many deaths of greats and those who would have been greats, from Buddy Holly to Duane Allman and too many others. Musical moments which marked where you were in your life and how important music was. Because music used to be that important.
I was sitting here in front of the computer this past week and wondering about the plethora of deaths amongst musicians, because it seems like musicians are taking a larger hit than normal lately, and Gypsy popped into my head. Gypsy Queen— Part One, to be specific. “Warning… warning…” to be even more specific. Goddamn but I love the beginning of that song and the rest of the song, to boot, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell is going on. I can’t turn on the computer anymore without hearing of another musician’s passing and, truth be told, it is starting to get me down.
With apologies to Jim Carroll, of course. Had I used his actual lyrics, it would be “Those”, and until today I have to confess I had no idea what the song was about. I bobbed my head and listened to the beat more than the lyrics the many times I heard the song and I now wonder why because I am a day closer to that day, every day, and am just now seeing death for the loss it really is.
Bullseye Records of Canada
Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say 