I just wrote the following lyrics when I returned from a funeral. I knew the guy for more than 40 years. We went to grade school togther. The first band I was ever in, I formed with this guy. The first song I ever wrote, I wrote with this guy. He was a fine guitarist and a fine songwriter.
Sadly, he was also a crack addict who chose to kill himself in a way that brought shame to his family and impacted many people. While I don't endorse suicide - doing it in a public manner that draws media attention etc. is not only cowardly, but selfish. While I prefer to think of him as a fine musician who perhaps by forming that 1st band and writing that f1st song - helped push me into a 40 year career in music, I instead find myself thinking what a fool he was.
After we formed our first band, we went serperate ways - me, on the road as a musician and he, to Vietnam as a soldier. He was wounded, and came back a changed man, hooked on smack. For the next 40 years while establishing himself as a 1st call guitarist, he struggled with various drug addictions and mental problems. Our paths would cross every few years and we'de do a gig or recording session, we continued to be "friends" - but he was never the wonderful person he use to be.
Some claim Vietnam killed him (it just took 40 years) just to make it seem a little more noble. I say the drugs killed him and there is nothing noble about that.
So I wrote some words and given that he was a songwriter - what better place to post them. So...this one's for you, Steve.
The Measure Of A Man
Verse
The mirror may not be kind, to those who dare to look
The things we say, the things we do, are like an open book
Keep in mind, reputations stay behind
Verse
Karma has a way of playing tricks, we don't expect
History is full of those who know and show regret
Don't unwind, reputations stays behind
Bridge
The roads we take, mistakes we make, shape our destiny
Every act along the way defines our legacy
Chorus
The measure of a man, is valued more than gold
The only real thing we have is something we can't hold
The measure of a man
Sadly, he was also a crack addict who chose to kill himself in a way that brought shame to his family and impacted many people. While I don't endorse suicide - doing it in a public manner that draws media attention etc. is not only cowardly, but selfish. While I prefer to think of him as a fine musician who perhaps by forming that 1st band and writing that f1st song - helped push me into a 40 year career in music, I instead find myself thinking what a fool he was.
After we formed our first band, we went serperate ways - me, on the road as a musician and he, to Vietnam as a soldier. He was wounded, and came back a changed man, hooked on smack. For the next 40 years while establishing himself as a 1st call guitarist, he struggled with various drug addictions and mental problems. Our paths would cross every few years and we'de do a gig or recording session, we continued to be "friends" - but he was never the wonderful person he use to be.
Some claim Vietnam killed him (it just took 40 years) just to make it seem a little more noble. I say the drugs killed him and there is nothing noble about that.
So I wrote some words and given that he was a songwriter - what better place to post them. So...this one's for you, Steve.
The Measure Of A Man
Verse
The mirror may not be kind, to those who dare to look
The things we say, the things we do, are like an open book
Keep in mind, reputations stay behind
Verse
Karma has a way of playing tricks, we don't expect
History is full of those who know and show regret
Don't unwind, reputations stays behind
Bridge
The roads we take, mistakes we make, shape our destiny
Every act along the way defines our legacy
Chorus
The measure of a man, is valued more than gold
The only real thing we have is something we can't hold
The measure of a man
