Throughout
my life singers and musicians have died from drug overdose, accident, suicide and
natural causes. Each time I would lament
them – listen to some of their music – and move on. I had other places to go and other things to
do.
Yesterday Merle
Haggard died and today I view it somewhat different.
When I
liberated myself from Mississippi back in 1959 I never looked back. I never kept in touch with any of my
childhood friends. About 1980 I lost
track of any kin – the only people from my past I have kept in touch with are a
cousin, a half-sister and the son of my best friend.
I talked to
my mother just before she died in the 1970’s.
She told me she hated to go to sleep, because everyone she dreamed of was
dead - she was the last of her siblings and friends.
Now, death
doesn’t scare me and I sleep fine – when I sleep. I do
not miss knowing that most of the people I grew up with are probably already
dead, or like me skirting the grim reaper.
The only
markers I have of my teen age years and young adulthood are the singers and
musicians of my time; and those left are dropping away rather quickly. Yesterday we lost Merle Haggard; probably only
a foot note for most people, but road mark for me.
In my teens
I listened to rock and roll, in my early adulthood it was country: Hank
Williams, Flat and Scruggs, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Merle Haggard, Waylon
Jennings, Willy Nelson, Patsy Cline….
These are the markers of my lifetime, and there are not many of us left.
The last of my kind and it's all going to pot.
the Ol'Buzzard
He may be gone but what an amazing life Merle Haggard had!
ReplyDeleteMerle was one of a kind and almost the last of the generation that gave us 'real country'..so loved that he and Willie made the last album..I think he had money problems and think he was just working for the paycheck for him and his band..I hope that is not true..I know he will be missed...anyone that can rhyme drank and bank, is ok in my book.
ReplyDeletegot drunk many a time listening to him ...
My favorite country singer of all times. I have been listening to his music all day today. What a voice! It can't be replaced.
ReplyDeletedamn good post Buzzard. well said old friend....
ReplyDeleteI hear you, my friend. Your list is the same as mine and it grows shorter all the time. Losing Merle hit me like losing Johnny and June. Maybe it is because it moves us one step closer? Recognizing our own mortality comes as a shock to some of us.
ReplyDelete