NINE SAD YEARS

It's nine years ago today that my brother left us. I'm always torn between this day and March 24th (the day he was found in his home in North Hollywood). But, in either case, he had a full life even though it only lasted 54 years. This is the time of night when I miss him most, since this is usually when we'd be in the midst of one of our 4 hour phone calls. At these times, I put on The Last Carnival and think about that wonderfully wild life he lived. Whether you knew him or not, it gives you a pretty good sense of the man, and why he's so greatly missed:


Sundown, sundown
They're taking all the tents down
Where have you gone my handsome Billy?

Sundown, sundown
The carnival trains' leavin' town
Where are you now my darlin' Billy?

We won't be dancing together on the high wire
Facing the lions with you at my side anymore
We won't be breathin' the smoke and the fire
On the midway

Hangin' from the trapeze my wrists waitin' for your wrists
Two daredevils high up on the wall of death
You throwin' the knife that lands inches from my heart
Sundown

Moonrise, moonrise
The light that was in your eyes
Has gone away

Daybreak, daybreak
The thing in you that made me ache
Has gone to stay
We'll be riding the train without you tonight
The train that keeps on movin'
Its black smoke scorching the evening sky
A million stars shining above us like every soul livin' and dead
Has been gathered together by a God to sing a hymn over your bones

Sundown, sundown
Empty are the fairgrounds
Where are you now my handsome Billy?

ABSENT WITH EXCUSE

I'm sure some of you wondered if there would be any further posts. I guess this answers that question. There's more of Bill to share. I know I've missed some important dates, but I have been absent with excuse. Last April I started my worst year. I started experiencing a little pain in my left foot. A few days later, it got so painful I could barely walk. I attributed it to having slid down a few stairs at home onto a hard tile floor. I thought I had a deep bruise. As few days later, an infected area appeared on the bottom of the foot. I thought nothing of it. My wife put some antibiotic ointment on it. Two days later, the infection was really bad. Off to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with cellulitis. They gave me oral antibiotics and for a few days it began to look better. Then, almost overnight it took a turn for the worse. I returned to the doctor and was told to go to the hospital. At the hospital they discovered that MRSA had gotten into the infection. They started me on IV antibiotics and the next day they informed me that too much flesh and tissue had been destroyed by the MRSA - I would need to have a partial amputation of my left foot. On April 20, 2014 (Easter Sunday), they took the 3 small toes and a bit of the left side of my foot. The healing process has been interesting, but it looks like I might finally be reaching the end of my disability. So, I decided it's time to move on with other things. And so, here I am, posting again. I hope you'll join me on this path that is a long way from its end. - Phil Bukowski

PHIL EVERLY DIES

It's probably because he was growing up during the period of time when the Everly Brothers were releasing hit after hit that Bill was a fan. I can remember buying their Reunion concert album in the mid-80s and Bill being very interested in hearing it. He even took a cassette copy home, so I have to assume that he listened to it again at some point. So, another of his favorites joins him. Bill is accumulating quite the band. I'm looking forward to hearing them someday... Rest in Peace Phil Everly! (Everly died of complications related to COPD.)



With his older brother Don, Phil Everly, who has died of pulmonary disease aged 74, formed one of pop music's greatest vocal partnerships. If it was Elvis Presley who became the most spectacular icon of 1950s rock'n'roll, the Everly Brothers created a musical legacy which was every bit as influential. Their unique vocal harmonies, coupled with ingenious guitar arrangements and timeless material, had a revolutionary impact on the Beatles, the Hollies, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash. (Click here to read the complete obituary from The Guardian.)

More about the death of Phil Everly:

Don Everly Reacts to Brother Phil's Death: 'I Always Thought I'd Go First' by Erin Hill {Parade}

Phil Everly's Son Jason Remembers His Rock Pioneer Dad by Patrick Doyle {Rolling Stone}

Phil Everly's Family Recall His Humble Life and Final Days by Howard Breuer {People}

Linda Ronstadt and others remember Phil Everly (1939-2014) by Randy Lewis {Los Angeles Times}

Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones pay tribute to Phil Everly {NME}

Bye Bye Love: A Personal Farewell to Phil Everly by Jane Heller {Huffington Post}

Phil Everly lent perfect pitch to brothers' harmonies by Jerry Shriver and Maria Puente {USA Today}

Phil Everly never got to soar as a solo act by Joel Selvin {San Francisco Chronicle}

Phil Everly: Harmony To His Brother's Melody by Sam H. Sanders {NPR}

Phil Everly: The Final Interview by Tom Lanham {Paste}

Here's a sample of some of the Everly Brothers best work:

HAPPY 62nd BILL!!!

Today would have been Bill's 62nd Birthday!!! That's right - if Bill were alive today he could start collecting Social Security... Rather than post just a single picture today, here's a link to a photo book I created shortly after he died to celebrate his life. Enjoy!

Click here - or on the book image - to view the photo book.

ARTIE Q REMEMBERS BILL

I knew Bill quite well. I liked him a lot. We hung a little bit in LA in the '90s. He lovingly edited my pop music video in '95. I know Bill had a hard time with the industry going digital, but with analogue, he was Ace! He lovingly helped me realize/visualize & edit what I think, in the end, became a truly wonderful video — all on a shoestring budget. It was especially difficult because it was not shot with a sync code. Amazing! If it were not for his trailer editing quick fire creative skills, my vid would have died a death. I still love it. Perhaps even more now, 2013, than I did then. All the best Billy Boy. Wherever you are, dude, a Big Hug to you. Here's your vid...

LOU REED DIES

Bill would have been greatly saddened if he had heard of the passing of Lou Reed. Many of you will remember the photo of Lou shooting up that was part of Bill's decor for decades. I had the fortune of seeing Lou in concert with Bill in 1984 at the Universal Amphitheater. New Sensations was out and Lou was probably as popular as he was ever going to be. I went on to see Lou a few times after that and each time reminded me of the first time. In the years since Bill died, whenever I heard any Lou Reed song it reminded me of Bill in the years when he was still healthy, living his life to its fullest. So, while I was sad to hear the news of Reed's passing, I will always have the music and the memories. It makes me smile to know that Bill has the company of one of his all-time favorites.

Rest in Peace, Lou Reed!

Here's a few articles on the passing of Lou Reed:

Rock Legend Lou Reed, As Remembered By Downtown Manhattan by Massoud Hayoun [Al Jazeera America]

Rock Legend Lou Reed Dies At 71 by Steve Almasy and Matt Smith [CNN]

Lou Reed, Velvet Underground Leader And Rock Pioneer, Dead At 71 by Jon Dolan [Rolling Stone]

Lou Reed Made Me A Believer—In Transvestism, Prostitution, And Lou Reed by Michael Musto [The Daily Beast]

Lou Reed Dead At 71: New York City Rock Pioneer, The Velvet Underground Musician Died Sunday by David Hinckley [New York Daily News]

Lou Reed, Beloved Contrarian, Dies by Neda Ulaby [NPR]

If you have Spotify (it's free) you can listen to the Lou Reed masterpiece about death, Magic and Loss:

SEVEN YEARS TODAY...

Just a reminder to any visitors. It was on this day in 2006 that Bill left us... To commemorate the occasion, here's a set of Stones music. You'll need Spotify to listen to the set, but you can get it for free at Spotify.com. Once you have it installed, you can listen to over 500,000 songs - including the entire Rolling Stones catalog and virtually all new releases...

HAPPY 61ST, BROTHER!!!

Many of you might remember that today would have been Bill's 61st Birthday. I apologize for not being very active in posting during the past year, but it was a year of challenges:

1. My wife got diagnosed with breast cancer (2nd time).

2. After months of waiting and enduring 2 biopsies and several mammograms, she scheduled her surgery (double-mastectomy) for November 16th.

3. Three weeks prior to surgery, she got laid off.

4. Nine days before my wife's surgery, my dad accidentally hit my mom with their car in their garage. She suffered a compound fracture and is still in rehab.

5. On December 20th, my 50 year old brother-in-law passed away.

Here's hoping you had a better 2012 than me and that we all have a much better 2013. In honor of Bill's Birthday, here a chance to listen to Bill's favorite Rolling Stones album. Enjoy and be well!!!