A broken angel sings from a guitar.
Jerry played the sweetest, most hypnotic and soulful guitar I’ve ever heard. He had what Miles Davis called the “tone”. Many could be called his technical better, but few his equal in terms of how deeply he was appreciated by his fans.
His music spoke volumes to many thousands of people across the planet who got to see him perform in concert and via the many recordings that were made of both studio and live performances.
His personal life reflected that of many artists and so while he wasn’t the best personal role model, years ago he did give one piece of advice that I can relate to and that to some degree I’ve adopted as my goal in life: Thrive!
Yes, that’s it. One word. To me that means to learn and love and grow. To not simply exist as a bump on a log in this too short life we’re given, but to be alive and to take chances and enjoy the smell of the rain and also to work hard at what I love and to try and contribute to the world. And did I mention Love. The Beatles were right, you know. Love is the answer. (Though I don’t think they were the first to make this observation.)
And that’s what Jerry’s death means to me 10 years later. Like our moms and all the others who have gone before us we celebrate the goodness of his and their lives and the joy they brought us. As Wavy Gravy encouraged us, have: “Good grief”.
It all rolls into one
and nothing comes for free
There’s nothing you can hold
for very long
And when you hear that song
come crying like the wind
it seems like all this life
was just a dream
Stella Blue