Music bed
Welcome to another turn of The Sonic Wheel
I’m Christopher Howell
Music bed down
At the time my late wife, Charlotte and I met in 1989 I was struggling to find a path in the world. Charlotte was kind and smart and beautiful and I thought she might help steady me and help me get headed in the right direction.
When you're first dating someone you learn a lot about them. You learn about their family, their friends, their job and the kind of music they like. Charlotte was six years younger then me and liked a lot of punk and new wave from the late 70 and early 80s. My musical tastes skewed older. There was a lot of overlap in what we both enjoyed, especially The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and The Small Faces.
We both liked singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. I was really happy to find out she liked him. Warren Zevon’s biggest hit was 1978’s quirky “Werewolves of London”. Some people dislike his songs because of his sometimes dark and strange lyrics but Charlotte and I instantly bonded over our love for his music. We have 5 CDs of his studio recordings and two anthology box sets. Maybe not everything he recorded but a lot.
Throughout the 1990s Zevon appeared numerous times on David Letterman’s show, even sitting in as bandleader once when Paul Shaffer was away on a movie shoot. Every time Zevon was on, we were sure to tune in.
On November 8, 2025 Letterman inducted Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
[cut from Letterman Hall of Fame induction]
That was from David Letterman’s speech inducting Warren Zevon in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In August 2002 Zevon was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, an inoperable form of lung cancer. Charlotte and I were watching Letterman on October 30, 2002 when Zevon talked about his cancer diagnosis in an emotional and poignant last appearance. He said, “I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years. It was one of those phobias that really didn’t pay off.” Zevon said after getting a terminal cancer diagnosis he put more value on the small pleasures of life. He uttered what has become a legendary statement.
[Cut from Late Night – sandwich]
That was from Warren Zevon’s last appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show in 2002.
Charlotte didn't have a phobia of doctors. She just didn’t like going to the doctor. I don’t know why. She would go to the doctor when she absolutely needed to but would avoid it if she could. It was a painful and repulsive coincidence that both Warren Zevon and Charlotte would both learn too late they were dying of cancer.
Upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, Zevon became determined to record a final album. He recorded The Wind, with guest stars Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Don Henley, Ry Cooder, Dwight Yoakam, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Joe Walsh and many others. The album was released on August 26, 2003, just two weeks before his death.
The Wind won a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album and a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Disorder In The House".
The song "Keep Me In Your Heart" from the album was the last song Zevon recorded and was nominated for song of the year.
[a few seconds of Keep Me in Your Heart]
Keep Me In Your Heart was the only song Charlotte specifically requested to be played at her funeral.
I’m keeping both Charlotte and Warren Zevon in my heart today and everyday.
Music bed up
That’s it for this spin of The Sonic Wheel
Thanks for listening.
I’m Christopher Howell
Music bed down
Credits
Intro/outro music by Radio Direct
Logo by Snehanshu Dharmadhikari on Unsplash
David Letterman Inducts Warren Zevon into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Rock Hall 2025 Induction - https://youtu.be/CYYzqt68dnE?si=uZp2bMw_P5e9jBKv
Warren Zevon's Final "Late Show" Appearance | Letterman - https://youtu.be/giTi8KWSZl4?si=UaUnVQ9huWX7AwSt
Clip of the song Keep Me In Your Heart For a While, Written by Warren Zevon and Jorge Calderon. Copyright Zevon Music (BMI) 2003 from the album The Wind.
Header photo from AZ Quotes, https://www.azquotes.com/quote/324800