While driving to work this morning, listening to the radio, I happened to hear Warren Zevon’s, “Desperadoes Under the Eaves” being played on a local college radio station.  What an incredible song from an equally increadible songwriter.  Zevon’s music has a strange effect on me in that every time I hear his songs, I feel like giving up as a musician.  It’s as if he has written all the good songs already, so why should I even bother.  I get this same feeling from other artists, but not as frequently nor consistently as I do when listening to Zevon.

It’s been some time now since Warren Zevon was diagnosed and died from inoperable mesothelioma (a form of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos).  It was September 7th, 2003 in fact.  He died at the age of 56 – way, way too early.  I can barely stand to listen to some of his last album, “The Wind.”  It’s too damn sad.

I miss his knack for blending the darkest of lyrics with the “pop-piest” (almost happy) of tunes.  Zevon has left behind a painful, empty void in music for me.  I long to hear something new from him, yet the music does not come (nor will it ever again).  The oddest thing about it is that I cannot think of any artist who’s music was more full of life and character – and characters.

RIP Warren…  You are missed.

If you would like to learn more about Warren Zevon and his music, I highly recommend checking out the biography written by his ex-wife, Crystal Zevon.  “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon,” is an awesome read that you won’t be able to stop reading.  I particularly enjoyed the unique format of the book which is a compilation of short, easy-to-read quotes and stories about Warren written the people who knew him.

Take care, Dan