Letterman remembers Warren Zevon's last appearance

That documentary was tough to watch. It was also illuminating to me to see Stevie Nicks talk about Warren Zevon for some reason.

 

On the YouTubes you can find Zevon singing Prince's Raspberry Beret, of all things, on an Letterman (NBC) appearance.

I'm a big, big fan of Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School.

Imagine the esteem he must have been held in by fellow musicians to have Mick Fleetwood and John McVie – at the height of their band's success – play behind him (Werewolves of London, for one) and, much later, the rhythm section from R.E.M. (Sentimental Hygiene).

 

Zevon's album with the REM guys as the Hindu Love Gods is awesome. Their cover of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" was unreal.

Zevon's Stand In The Fire is one of the great live albums ever. Is that out on CD yet? I wore out the cassette I had of it.

 

His ex-wife Crystal's book "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon" was great. Warren could be a raging asshole and a very bad drunk, but there's no doubt (to me, at least) he was a genius.

 

For a couple of years, I had "Werewolves of London" as my cell phone ringtone.

 

I'll second the recommendation of "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead." Great book.

Ya gotta love any artist who starts a song with the words, "Grandpa pissed his pants again ..."

 

...."I went home with a waitress, the way I always do....How was I to know, she was with the Russians too?"

 

Sirs, Madames,

I didn't come to Maui to be treated like a jerk
Howd'ya think it feels when I see the bellboys smirk?

YD&OHS, etc

 

Zevon's cover of "Back In The High Life Again" on his final album is a masterpiece.

 

I don't remember that on The Wind, which was Zevon's final CD he recorded before he died.

There was a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" on there, which was REALLY poignant since Zevon actually was.

 

You're right, it's on Life'll Kill Ya.

Still haunting.

 

Yes, it is. I picked it up just recently. I'm blanking right now, but I think there are bonus tracks.

And on a sports board, no one's mentioned "Ballad of Bill Lee" or "Boom Boom Mancini"?