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Rod & Sunny: Photo by Bob Gentry
8/5/1999
A Thought for Today
To be a great champion you need to be stricken by an idea and then conquer it.
As A Safe Place to Land starts its 30th month it's time to welcome all the new visitors who've only recently discovered this port. Thanks for stopping by and everyone who contributes to this space hopes you'll come back often. To the faithful, thanks for sticking with me, you're as much a part of this site as I am.
Lots of feedback on what I wrote about NBC's Olympic coverage, not that any of us can do much about it. Don't bet on the Winter Olympic coverage from Utah to be any better.
HOW I LOST MY VOICE & LIVED MUSICALLY EVER AFTER
Mr. McKuen, Perhaps 15 years ago, I heard you on Michael Jackson's radio show in Los Angeles. You spoke about how you had lost your singing and speaking voice. You talked about retraining and regaining your voice.
I am a voice teacher concerned with training young singers to treat their voices kindly so that they will have their voices for a lifetime. I would like to revisit your vocal journey. Have you detailed your vocal retraining process in writing anywhere? Where? How can I find it? Thank you. Regards,
Patricia Shanks
Dear Patricia, sorry it's taken me a while to answer your letter. I was pretty sure that I'd written in some detail about the loss of my voice and how I regained use of it. After a fairly exhaustive search, however, I didn't seem to find anything that would answer your question properly. I must have confused all the questions I've answered in interviews over the years (when I used to be willing to give them) with thinking I'd written about it myself.
As my early recordings will attest I was once a tenor-baritone instead of the baritone/basso that turned out for better or worse to be my trademark.
I lost my voice in the 60's from singing four shows a night, seven nights a week with a rock group at The Copacanna Lounge in New York City. Our band alternated with another group called Wayne Newton & The Newton Brothers. No Kidding.
Wayne was wise to something I wasn't. He sang from his diaphragm and not his throat. After 8 weeks or so of this kind of punishment the inside of my throat was like hamburger. Not only did I lose my singing voice but my speaking voice as well. I was told I'd never be able to sing again and that even talking would be a problem.
Sure enough I had to whisper or not talk at all for months. No one was about to convince me that my singing career was over, since it had hardly begun. Once the
physical damage to my throat was somewhat repaired I began taking voice lessons from the late Sam Hamilton, the long-time pianist arranger for the great Mable Mercer. I studied breathing techniques from everything I could lay my hands on at The New York Public library and not being able to afford any real voice therapy I developed techniques of my own that I practice even today.
One day I will write more extensively about it, Patricia, but being a teacher yourself, you know that if you have the basic pipes you can sing and even overcome the loss of some of your basic equipment. It requires hard work and discipline, but doesn't everything?
I haven't checked out your website yet, but I will and I'm printing it below for others who might want to do the same.
Let's keep in touch. Voices and voice techniques interest me a lot. With warmest wishes, Rod
Patricia Shanks Website
http://www.voice-studio.com
STILL WRITING
Rod McKuen! I can't believe I have found this web site, and you, after all these years. It's like running into an old friend on the
street, one you didn't even know lived in your city. . . .you, your music, your poetry......have all taken me through many good and sorrowful times through the years and I am so grateful to know that you are still writing. I'll be visiting your website regularly, now that I know of it..... thank you for being there..... stay well and happy and know that you
are loved....Peggy
Dear Peggy, Thanks to you too. You can expect some new poetry on this site soon. Affectionately, Rod
BEND DOWN AND TOUCH ME
I just wanted to express how beautiful I find your work.
In your book, "In Someone's Shadow," I became so intrigued with your words, especially from the poem, Bend Down & Touch Me.
I'm 29, remembering my mothers collection of poetry books, I have read them all, but only permanently borrowed yours. <Grin> I find you quite amazing! Your words capture my soul, I read, then I become lost in your words. Thank-you for sharing your talent with the world! Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth, Thanks for your nice comments on "In Someone's Shadow." "Bend Down and Touch Me" isn't a poem, but the lyrics to a song. It's easy to get the two confused when the music isn't included with a lyric. I hope you'll get a chance to one day hear the complete song. In addition to the various versions I've recorded of it there's a very beautiful version of "Bend Down and Touch Me" by Glenn Yarbrough. Thanks for the sweet words and the attention. Warmest wishes, Rod
ABOUT LAUREN
Dear Rod, I don't write notes to celebrities. I just don't. I don't call radio stations to express my views either. And I don't write editorials. I just don't. But I need to this time.
I first heard of you in the sixties. I was living in San Diego. My life was as free and easy then as the weather there. Days at the beach and evenings at the Heritage House, one of the nondescript coffeehouses that lined Mission Beach serving coffee, hot apple cider, and folk music. It seems so innocent now. Then came Vietnam.
It must have been sometime in the late sixties and after the war that I found "The Sea, The Earth, The Sky." Forgive me if the sequence is incorrect. It was an old reel-to-reel copy. Remember them? I listened to that tape for hours, and days, and weeks. All through college and my first marriage. After the tape player gave out, about the same time as my marriage, I lost track of the tape. But along the way I found copies of "Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows" and "In Someone's Shadow." Books don't wear out like tape players but I think readers do. The books sat on a shelf, in the basement, behind the camping gear, for many years.
Lauren was born in 1982. She always kept too much inside. What she didn't say, she played and wrote. Her writing was what I noticed most. I laughed and cried. I felt for her and I understood her. Her poetry was magical. When she was a very small girl, she had found your books. They moved to her bookshelf and into her heart.
Lauren is 18 now. She started college this fall. A small, liberal arts school in Illinois. On a knoll, in the trees, near the Mississippi. She is on a poetry scholarship. She writes more than ever and I cry more than ever, and laugh too. And your books are still on her bookshelf. B'Shalom and L'Shana Tovah, Michael Warner
Dear Michael, Ah the sixties in San Diego. What a strange and different time. Now the coffeehouses are franchised by Starbucks and the poetry readings and singing have turned into CD's that can be purchased at the counter with your latte. Will anyone who wasn't there ever understand that time?
A poetry scholarship, WOW. Lauren must indeed be talented. I hope you continue to encourage her to write and express her feelings. Based on your letter, I feel sure you will. Being a poet is pretty easy, you either are one or you are not. Making a living and a career out of poetry is a bit harder. Like any job it needs a certain amount of luck and a great deal of drive.
If there is any way I can write to her with some words of hope let me know her address and I'll try and do what I can. About the only thing I won't do though is read or critique a manuscript.
Thanks for a most interesting letter; this gray-haired poet is really encouraged by how many youngsters are being turned on by their parents and grandparent's musty McKuen collections. All the very best to you Michael and to Lauren.
With sincere appreciation, Rod.
IN THE AUDIENCE FOR "THE LONER"
Dear Rod, I have been an admirer of yours for many years. (Don't really want to say how many as to reveal my age.) Actually, a friend of mine and I sat through a taping in the late 60s for a half-hour show you were doing on television. It took about four hours because of technical difficulties.
Only about half of the audience stayed and we were two of them because we couldn't bear missing anything. You were so kind to stay back to talk to all of those who stayed and gave autographs. I have about 7 of your albums and a few books. Of course, the albums are pretty worn out after all these years but I still enjoy them.
I was hoping that you may be planning a concert tour soon and wondered if you would be coming to the southern California area. If you have a mailing list, could you please add my name so I can be updated on what your plans are for this area.
Thank you for your time and for the enjoyment you have given me for so many years. Carol Bassford
Dear Carol. Thanks for the memories. While I loved doing that special, I'm surprised we ended up with any audience at all. It ran opposite "My Three Sons," the number one network show of the time and we were creamed in the ratings. Don't know if you're aware of it or not, but the set for "The Loner" won an Emmy for designer Jim Tritapo and was adapted as the home set for my BBC series a year or so later in London.
I'll definitely be playing some Southern California dates on the tour next fall. In early November of this year I'll be doing an Actor's Fund Benefit with other performer in Los Angeles and I'll announce that date here next week. This spring I'll be part of an all star tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, also in Los Angeles. Now that I have your name and address you'll definitely be part of the mailing list.
All this can't happen soon enough for me, because despite all the hard work I've been putting in remastering tapes for CD's, I'm tired of being a luftmensch where concerts are concerned. Thanks for caring, Carol. Warmly, Rod
HAPPINESS IS
Good Morning Rod, after enjoying reading the daily Flight Plan, I just want to thank you again for being who you are and for sharing your thoughts and life with all of us. Your words offer such comfort in times of happiness and sorrow. You are like a warm puppy ... and I'm so very glad that you
continue to grow and share. Thank you for making my day every day. Love, Ilona
Dear Ilona, Thanks for the compliments. Every time I hear the phrase 'warm puppy' I'm reminded of Charles Schulz (and who isn't?) By the way is it my imagination or are the reruns of Peanuts even funnier and wiser than they were the first time around? His loss is still so deeply felt but his contribution to our sensibilities and effect on our kinder and better instincts are as much a part of modern culture as those of any man or woman I can think of in or out of 'the arts.' What a difference his life made. Warmly, Rod
OLYMPICS FEEDBACK: DON'T GET ME STARTED
OK - you've opened the door to the Olympics quagmire so I guess I'll walk through. I can deal with the stories about the athletes, but the endless commercials! And the most frustrating things was the almost non-existent coverage (12:30 AM PST) of the men's volleyball.
OK - I know it doesn't have the following of gymnastics or swimming, but come on - throw the fans a bone. One of my nephew's best friends and friend to our family was on the
team. Unfortunately, I didn't see him once. He worked just as hard to get there as anyone else....Well, thanks for driving this bandwagon...Love you, Deb
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Dear Rod, I leave tomorrow. Off to Qatar for the IAAF Grand Prix Final. But Sydney, despite the hassles, despite some rain, has been wonderful. The crowds at the stadium have been great. Of course, the greatest ovations were for the
Aussie athletes but they have been generous in their applause to each and every athlete. They have taken Marion Jones to their hearts, despite her beating Cathy Freeman in the 200m.
The Australian TV coverage has been dire also. If there's not an Australian in the race - forget it!!!! Maybe not quite so jingoistic as NBC's in Atlanta but pretty damn close. I remember there, I couldn't go to the stadium the night of the 400m and I actually had to phone someone in the stadium to find out who had won the silver medal!
Nemev was gorgeous - but I reckon there were at least 5,000 other women lusting after him!!!! So, he will not be going back to Cannes with me.
The next E-mail will come from Qatar and probably the one after that from Santiago in Chile! Such is life! Much love, Sue
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I get disgusted at times that a corporation such as NBC "feels" they know what America wants...but really can't see over the stack of money in there way. If only there were a way for the people to vote who can cover the Olympics. We can vote people off Big Brother (those who watch), we can
make or break artists on MTV, and we can even (gasp) vote for a President to run our nation.
Success stories are great, because it give us views that even the down trodden can make it. But can't they just release a companion magazine prior to the Olympics so that we can keep an eye out for those that inspire us?
I'm sorry, but the Olympic coverage seems to express that America has a short attention span. And with coverage like that, who's to blame us? Eric Yaeger
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Dear Rod, Just read today's Flight Plan and had to chime in on another omission by NBC. For the past 5 Olympics, the networks have not shown the Latvian teams in the opening entrance of the teams. After this year's omission, there was
a huge email rally to every executive of NBC and to all of the late night show hosts. This was done on two days at a specific time. After 5 years of not showing the teams from my home country it was decided that this was a deliberate omission and enough was enough. This obvious selection of what, and whom, is shown by the American TV network executives is prejudiced to say the least.
Shame on them for being so blatant in this. I know Latvia is
a seldom heard of country, but we have good athletes and have fought for our freedom for centuries and have only been released from the chains of Communism since 1981. Actually, none of the 3 Baltic countries were acknowledged.
I remember in years past that the networks showed ALL the
teams marching in and Jim McKay commented on them ALL. I too miss his style and professionalism in the coverage of the Olympics. Thank you for your thoughts on the Flight Plan, The Lone Latvian of Rod's Squad, Jana
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Hi Rod, Pity about your TV coverage - ours has been pretty good although I only got into it late, last Monday to be exact.
The only downside about the whole event has been the pitiful performance of the South African contingent - I'd have expected at least a couple of Gold Medals and now it looks as though we won't even get one!
How's this for an excuse regarding the above - I heard one sports doctor hypothesizing at great length that the reason for our poor performance was because all our athletes are drug free and those from other countries aren't! Talk about arrogance! Try telling that to the International Cricket Council following the scandal surrounding our national team captain!
It was nice to hear from Sue - I've been thinking about her a lot lately. Talk to you later. Blue Skies, Ken.
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I enjoyed your scathing indictment of Olympic coverage this morning. The tongue is mightier than the sword . . . or some such thing, esp. in your case! :) Susan
Dear Deb, Sue, Eric, Jana, Ken and Susan, What I intended was not so much an indictment as it was a letting go of the frustration I've had with the missed opportunities (nothing presented as it was happening- in real time, unless you were lucky enough to live near the Canadian border and tune in CBC), bad programming
(why did we have to wait until a quarter of eleven to find out how one of our new heroes, Marion Jones, fared that day?), MTV style presentation (little bites of events interrupted with bits of others and no mouthfuls of a single game.
Since we were seldom informed, unless it was an American, does anyone know who won the bronze in anything? Can the advertisers who shelled out millions for this weak and thoughtless coverage really be happy with the results?
To all of you who echoed my frustration, your letters are so well formed and have such straightforward points of view that there is little more I can add, except THANKS. Luv, Rod
JOHNNY MERCER & DAVID BUSHKIN
Dear Rod: Did you say you knew Johnny Mercer? Any stories you can share?
Do you know of singer-songwriter David Bushkin? Mary Travers did an album of almost all of his songs. Melodically yours, Bob D.
Dear Bob, Not only did I have the great pleasure of knowing and loving Johnny and Ginger Mercer, I actually wrote a couple of songs with him and started a few others that remain incomplete.
One of our collaborations will make its debut in an all Mercer album that should be out by the first of the year. I've also produced a number of Mercer collections for Stanyan/Lazerlight that are available through Stanyan By Mail. One contains possibly the most awful picture taken of the two of us (separately or apart) ever. It didn't help that we were both drunk at the time.
If you punch in Johnny Mercer in the Flight Plan Archives, I'm sure more than one reference to his name will pop up.
He and Larry Hart remain the most talented and inventive American lyricists ever.
Most people are probably not aware of it, but Mercer had a hand in creating more popular songs than Cole Porter and arguably as many enduring standards as Irving Berlin.
I'm so glad to be reminded of David Bushkin. I've never met him but he wrote one of my favorite songs and one I'll surly record one day, "The Half of It." It's one of those songs that mirrors how I feel and think so much that I could have and should have written it.
His fine songs don't stop there, however, Mary Travers recorded at least nine of his works that I know of. Better not get me started on Mary, one of my favorite people. I wrote a song about her and even dedicated a book to her.
Back to David Bushkin. What is he doing now and where is he? I'd love to meet him and better still write something with him. Wonder if he's any relation to pianist Joey Bushkin? If you have any further info on him, write and let me know.
Yours in song, Rod
T SHIRT UPDATE
Hi Rod, what's the status on McKuen T. Shirts. Jerry, Crowe.
Dear Jerry, Glad you asked. I think Dwight will be making an announcement concerning them in the coming weeks. Check the Stanyan By Mail Website Wednesday or so. Cheers, Rod
Tomorrow I'll be back to answer some of your many letters concerning Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter" and its similarity to a certain McKuen song. Meanwhile, sleep warm and wake up smiling.
RM 9/30/2000 Previously unpublished
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