Question of the Month

I decided to join this monthly bloghop because answering thoughtful/challenging questions is one way to expand one's mind. Hosted by Michael D'Agostino at A Life Examined ,  the question this month is:

Have you ever met an idol/influence/someone you really admire? How did it go?

This question is a little strange for me as I can't say that I've ever had idol or someone I admire who wasn't a family member or friend. I've met/known several "famous" people, but the one who left the most lasting mark was Scott McKenzie.To answer the question straight off, it went quite well.

What follows is an older post.

After many years of working hard to make the big time, Scott McKenzie became an “over night” sensation with the song, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear a Flower in Your Hair)”.

Sudden fame brought with it a certain amount of stress and he realized he needed a break. He chose to escape to St. Thomas where, even if he were recognized, he wouldn’t be hounded. What was special is that he stayed with friends of his who happened to be my high school psychology teacher and her husband, my art teacher.

Scott spent many months in the islands between 1968 and ’69. Sometimes he came to our psych class and sang us a few songs.

He also came to our Junior/Senior prom which is when he gave me the post card pictured to the right. He was, by that time, such a fixture, it never occurred to me to ask him to autograph it. The coffee stain ring happened that night.

In June of 1969, I invited my teachers and Scott to my 19th birthday party, a week-end affair held at our guest house on St. John at Lillie Maho. The invitation was accepted. Scott arrived with guitar in tow. We all had a grand time. At one point he asked my sister and me for advice on a song he was working on. Did it need something more, an extra verse perhaps? After he sang it to us, we assured him it was beautiful just as it was. I like to think he took our advice, for when he returned to the states the song became the title track of his second album, “Stained Glass Morning.” He had left it just as he had sung it to us. If you are not familiar with "Stained Glass Morning," please take a few minutes to listen to this beautiful and haunting song. It is as meaningful and powerful today as it was back in 1969.


But the true highlight of the evening came when he gave me his birthday present. He sat down in front of me and sang a song by Donovan called, “Celeste.” The world disappeared as he looked directly at me and no one else, his clear and beautiful tenor caressing my ears. Never before, and never since, have I been so intimately serenaded.

This is a delightfully scratched version.

Scott died at 73 in 2012 of Guillain–Barré syndrome. I like to think that he's singing with the angels. 

Begin Thankful

I'm thankful I got to meet Scott.

What are you thankful for? Ever met anyone famous? Was the experience a good one or not?