MONDAY
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Edward & Rod: The Brother's McKuen.
Photographed by Diane Kopperman, May 2002 at BB King's New York City
A Thought for Today
October isn't just the month we wait for
frost, it is the time frost waits to tell us that it's time for a
change. That change is coming whether we approve or not.
.ASK
ROD
Two more artists have been added to the “Something Wonderful” Actor’s Fund
benefit show next week; Loni Anderson and Michael Maguire. This one will
undoubtedly be the singingest, dancingist, most laugh filled show the
Galligan Gang has ever been involved with. I hope you’ll join in the fun.
Tickets start at $50 and go through $250. On to the mail.
CHICAGO CONCERT: NOVEMBER 16th
Rod, I saw you in concert last in Miami, Florida in
the mid- 1970's. I remember you coming out to meet and greet people after
the concert. The concert was memorable.
Over 25 years later I am hoping for the same opportunity at College of
Dupage. Will meeting you after the concert be possible? Warmly, Tina
Midura
Dear Tina: Absolutely. I’ll be in the lobby after the show to sign
autographs and shake hands. Looking forward to seeing you there. All my
best, Rod
PERFORMING
I don't have any questions for you. I just want to
let you know that after 25 yrs I have found your work again. I have loved
your poetry and music since the 70's. I'm embarrassed to admit I have not
found any of your work until tonight when I looked you up on Google
search. I've had treasured albums and books of yours for all these years.
My favorite for all this time is "Listen to the Warm". My favorite poem is
"A Cat Named Sloopy". Being a cat-lover myself, that poem always touches
my heart.
You have the most amazing beautiful voice and I have listened to you for
hours. I am so thrilled to find there are years of your work for me to
catch up on. I really had no idea that you were still writing and
performing. I even had the privilege to hear you read and sing many years
ago.
Again thank you for all your work and everything you have given your fans.
Sincerely, Pat Ryan
Dear Pat: You sure know how to make an aging performer/writer feel good.
Yep, I'm still trucking. I perform because it's fun and while there do not
seem to be enough promoters (I've outlived all the ones who used to book
me) to book the number of concerts I'd like to do in the many cities fans
seem to want me to come to, I persist. When it stops being enjoyable I'll
stop doing it.
Now that you've found me again, don't be a stranger. Warmly, Rod
BALTIMORE / WASHINGTON / VIRGINIA
Do you plan to make any appearances in the DC metro
area (VA, MD, DC) any time?
Dear Gail, We had to cancel a concert in Virginia in May of this year
because the theater didn't advertise and so there weren't sufficient sales
to cover the cost of presenting it. To this day I regret that
cancellation. In fact in 50 years I’ve been a performer I can count on one
hand the number of times I've had to cancel a show for any reason. I know
that people like you are 'out there' in the Washington/Baltimore/Virginia
area but unless they are made aware of an impending appearance it's pretty
futile.
So, the answer to your question is "Yes." I'd do a concert in your area in
a second. All I need is a promoter to schedule it. Know anybody
interested? All the best, Rod
ANOTHER LETTER FROM VIRGINIA
Any plans to come back east....Washington, DC metro
area....to perform? Thought my wishes had come true when you were
scheduled for the "Birchmere" in Alexandria, VA, but then concert was
cancelled. Very disappointed.
The first time I saw you on stage was at the Kennedy Center, Washington,
DC many, many years ago. I honestly believe yours was the best concert
I've ever attended.
Thanks for the many books, have most of them. I find myself pulling one
off the shelf at least once a month and reading a poem or two. It just
seems to relax the mind and body.
Thanks again over and over! Myra, Alexandria, VA
Dear Myra, I will always regret having to cancel my concert in Virginia
earlier this year. And, I hope one day to reschedule it.
I loved performing at The Kennedy Center and all the various venues I
played in the Washington, Baltimore, Virginia Area. One of my favorite
places was The Cellar Door in Washington. It reminded me very much of Mr.
Kelly's in Chicago and Basin Street West in San Francisco. Alas all of
these clubs are now history.
I find my audiences are pretty much the same no matter what venue I’m
playing. Whether I'm working in a large facility like The Kennedy Center,
Royal Albert Hall or Carnegie Hall, or in a more intimate setting such as
B. B. King’s or the hungry i, people come wanting to be entertained and I
love working hard to make sure they are.
Although there are no plans at the moment, I'll get back to your area one
of these day. With affection, Rod
OF FELINES, FONTS & SHEEPDOGS
I hate to say "welcome back" because I have always
known you were there by reading your poems - I read them over and over and
listen to your records (In Search of Eros is my favorite) so you have
always been there for me. Your Bio says you live with your brother and 4
cats - what ever happened to the sheep dogs - I thought they were
beautiful.
And thank you for all the beautiful words and music - you are a very
special person with a very special talent. Sharon J. Shinners, Laboratory
for Laser Energetics, Rochester NY
Dear Sharon: Make that six cats who reside at this old house. Edward and I
are certainly more feline than homosapian. The proximity to all the cats
over the years has, I hope, changed us for the better.
It's been quite a while since our menagerie included Old English
Sheepdog's, but ah what memories we have of all those mountain of fur
entrusted to our care over the years.
Glad you enjoy In Search of Eros. A remastered version of it with many
additional tracks will be released next year with a brand new downloadable
font on the disc Autumn/Eros. It's based on Anthony Goldschmidt’s hand
lettering for the 1969 issue of ". . .and autumn came." Richard Kegler of
my favorite font foundry P22 is working on it now and I'm busy testing it
out. The type is gorgeous. The In Search of Eros CD will be very much like
the "Beatsville" CD release a few years back.
By the way the P22 Font Foundry is located in Buffalo, your neck of the
woods. Thanks for writing and for being there. Sincerely, Rod
IF YOU GO AWAY
Hello, Just dropped in on the site:). I actually
became familiar with you and your work through one of your songs,
although, another performer performed it. I was completely blown away by
IF YOU GO AWAY. So, my question is this. The first time I heard it, it was
performed by a British actress, Maria Friedman. I have listened to her
version a thousand times and it continues to amaze me, and then I came
across other versions including yours. I was curious, how many different
versions are there, and have you ever heard her version? If so, do you
have a favorite version?
Thanks and keep up the good work Laurie Scalf
Dear Laurie, At last count there were nearly two hundred recordings world
wide of If You Go Away. Some of the other artists who have put it on
record include, Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Neil
Diamond, Marlene Dietrich, Scott Walker, Ray Charles, The Ray Charles
Singers, Pearle Bailey, Glenn Campbell, Michelle Lee, Sandler & Young,
Eartha Kitt and on an on. If You Go Away has become one of my most
recorded songs.
It’s pretty hard for me to pick a favorite recording; I like different
versions for different reasons. I think Sinatra's approach was one of the
most direct and meaningful for me. The original English recording and hit
was by the great Damita Jo. I don't know the Maria Friedman version but I
would love to hear it.
I adapted If You Go Away from Jacques Brel's "Nemme Quittes Pas" and in
2000 the French Ministry of Culture named Nemme Quite Pas / If You Go Away
the song of the century. It joins a very select group that has received
BMI Millionaire Awards for two million plays on radio. Kindest Regards,
Rod
GOODBYE
Dear Rod: I had seen a couple of your UK TV shows
way back in the 1970's and really loved your music. I also saw you on
stage in Bournemouth (south coast of England). It was a really wonderful
show. I bought three of your LP's, but since then I loaned one of the LP's
to a friend and somehow never got it back - it contained your outstanding
recording of 'Goodbye'. I may not have got it right, but this is what I
remember.
'Once you said, we had nothing to laugh at together,
meanwhile you laugh at me enough for both of us.
You clean me out of kindness, slowly till there's little left.
You said we'd never say goodbye,
Today the word comes easily.'
I wish I could remember all of it (my age is against me, however) I am
endeavoring to make contact with 'Reddingtons Rare Records in Birmingham,
England to see if they can help with this and also with your 'Black Eagle
Opera'.
Seasons in the Sun is truly wonderful, I also have the book of that title.
I could say so much more, but please accept my thanks for the hours of
pleasure your LP's " The Beautiful Strangers", "Rod McKuen at Carnegie
Hall and your folk music album which starts 'Hootenaanay, Abilene, side 1,
and Blowin' in the Wind, Travellin' - side 2. Kind regards - Joan Holdaway,
England
Dear Joan, Don't talk to me about memory, I joke and say, "I might have
Alzheimer's if I could remember the symptoms". Never mind long term memory
loss, I start across the room for something and forget midway what it was
I went after. Edward says it beats the old days when I was truly absent
minded. He once found a sneaker I'd been looking for in the freezer. I
still maintain that one of cats put it there.
"Goodbye" was included on my LP Rod McKuen '77. It's out of print at the
moment but if you go to the Search Engine link at the bottom of this page
and type in "Goodbye" you'll find it's been reprinted several times on the
Flight Plan and you can get the words that way.
Some of the better vintage record shops in England should be able to track
down the LP itself. Maybe I'll talk to Eric about making "Goodbye" a
download.
I’m impressed by how many periods of my career the records you own
represent. You seem to have covered nearly everything with the possible
exception of my classical works. Thanks for your warm letter and
especially your long support. All my best, Rod
MORE ON WRITING
Dear Mr. McKuen: I have been looking for you for
most of my life, which I might add, hasn't been a long one considering
that I'm only 24. I have been reading your work since the age of 15 and as
I grew in years so did the meaning of your work to me. I understand so
much better now, and honestly some things will
only come alive to me as I travel on life's road considering that my age
is a still of a tender kind.
I think besides what I've read, I've discovered my calling as a writer. In
my most secret moments I have found the inspiration to continue searching
out that which so deeply burns in my heart. I read your books often and
find a kindred spirit amongst the pages. I find myself in a strangers
words, and I also find what I would like to show the world someday.
I suppose people will always remain just people no matter how famous and
accomplished they are, and maybe you consider yourself just a man who
spoke to the nameless faceless people out there sharing the thoughts of
your heart. But you have done so much more, you have made your words come
alive in a thousand minds
I will write and publish and keep on trying so maybe one day you and I
will meet face to face, because you've read me. Caroline, South Africa
Dear Caroline, I can't say it often enough: Please keep writing. The world
needs writers and poets. Writing is hard work and it is even more
difficult to get published. Even when success does come the monetary
rewards are seldom what they should be. Perhaps writing should be pursued
as an avocation rather than a career. Certainly this is true until your
writing contributes significantly enough to your income to enable you to
quit your 'day job.' So much for a few of the negative aspects of being a
writer on to the positive.
If you have talent as a writer it would be criminal to waste it. Nothing
is more satisfying than getting your thoughts down on paper so that they
make some kind of sense. So, again, keep writing. You're still young
enough to make it as a writer if you have 'the goods.'
I'm grateful for all the nice words in your E-mail and not incidentally a
letter like yours is yet another plus to being a living, working writer.
As strong as we like to think we are, writers are a frail bunch and we
need all the encouragement we can get.
I hope we do meet someday. You live in a wonderful country. I have visited
South Africa several times and as you probably know this website
originates in Johannesburg where Webmaster Ken Blackie resides, so I have
many reasons to come to your country sooner rather than later.
My best to you for a successful career as a writer and citizen of the
world. Warmly, Rod
Sleep warm. I’ll be back tomorrow with more from the E-mail bag.
RM 10/27/2002 1:51 PM PST Previously unpublished
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(posted 09/28/2002).
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