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Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
Avoid self-pity. But sorrow can be the school of
intelligence.
Some new letters today and some feedback from
last week's mail.
FEEDBACK: REASONS TO BE HUMBLE
I just finished reading your very humble disclaimer downplaying all
the "laudatory" remarks sent by your fans. I am your fan, and I must say you
have earned every warm opinion and display of love. You do say what is in other people's
hearts and perhaps cannot express but the fact is you seem to be constantly taking
temperature on your emotions and heartstrings. Most people don't. Many read something that
touches them but then 10 minutes later flip off the driver ahead of them in the road.
It seems to me your whole life has been about love and reflection and making this planet
which we share so badly sometimes a better place to live. I know you may have faults, we
all do, but it's the constant re-evaluation and re-thinking to do it better the next time,
that I believe must fill your mind.
I have loved you since the late 60's and I don't think my affection is misplaced. Keep
doing what you're doing, and spread your warmth...Love, Deb
Dear Deb, I have plenty to be humble about. I'm nowhere near the kind of person or writer
I want to be and know I can be. For one thing my whole life has been a kind of juggling
act and always I have too many balls in the air. Poetry to write and books to be gotten
out, songs to write and record, books to be read for learning as well as a few for
pleasure, friends to attend to, mental journeys to be made to seek out knowledge, music to
be heard and assimilated. Where to find time for touring and performing, a daily flight
plan that needs to be written, two web sites to attend to.
Most of all time to dream and fulfill those dreams and new projects that arrive in your
head unbidden but interesting and so needing to be done. Old projects that remain
unfinished. If I had specialized or been able to sort out my priorities early on, I'd have
been much more successful but I might not have had such a good time and learned what I've
learned. So much new technology to be assimilated and all of it exciting.
Lots of things get in the way, like sleeping and eating, making a living and trying to pay
the bills. I do care about the ethics of everything and no week goes by that I don't lie
awake reexamining my life and whether or not I'm living it honestly. There is a desperate
need on my part to pass along what I've learned but no time to teach anyone unless I have
their total interest. I'd love to find just one somebody I could teach and who would help
me complete my projects. No such animal exists or if they do I haven't found him.
The planet is very important to me because it has been a great home and I worry about what
we're doing to it every day. As I worry about how we treat each other as human beings.
You are certainly right about doing what you've done before better the next time,
otherwise why bother? You've nailed me on a lot of things, Deb. Wish it could all be
simpler but it isn't and never will be. Love, Rod
WEDDING
Dear Mr. McKuen, I can't believe I have found you again after so
many years. I enjoy listening to your CD's ad work. Co-workers complain that I have
nothing else to listen too. Too bad. I have listened to your songs since I was 17.
Now thirty years later I still play the same tunes over and over. Please help me find just
the right song to dance with my son at his wedding next year. He must know your music he's
heard it sine he was in the womb. A very warm place to be. I was so happy to find your web
site. Glad to know you are still going strong. I was thrilled to see you live in Buffalo
NY in 1971 and would love to do so again. Any chance of a return visit to Buffalo? Goodbye
my friend. Sing long and write forever. Betty Ellis
Dear Betty, Boy, that's a tough request. I'm glad the wedding isn't till next year. I
think you've asked the wrong guy to choose a song for the wedding dance. Maybe somebody
out there in cyberspace will send in some suggestions. My own feeling is choose something
both of you really like, whether it's one of my songs or not. Not long ago I advised a
father (who also happens to be a fine singer) to sing "You needed Me" at his
daughters wedding.
As to Buffalo, I have great memories of it. You can bet that when I do tour I won't skip
your city. Besides a good friend and partner in a venture or two, Richard Kegler, who
heads the wonderful P22 Type Foundry lives in Buffalo with his family. I'd use just about
any excuse to meet up with them soon and a concert sounds like a fine idea.
Finally Betty, thanks for being there all these years. Glad you found A Safe Place To
Land, please drop in often. Cheers, Rod
FEEDBACK: THE STANYAN HOUSE
Dear Rod: I am sure that I am not original. But have to say that you
and Ken will be missed. You are inside that screen on the desk and hopefully you can pop
out once in a while. Happy Thanksgiving and maybe I should wish you Merry Christmas. (You
will get a card - by snail mail).
I am excited for all of you. What a wonderful project you are working on -- I can hardly
wait to see the results because I know they will be wonderful. This has been only a year
for me since I found you again. And what a year! Thank you and all the Stanyan family.
Take care and enjoy. Try to get some rest in between all the exciting plans you must have.
I guess I am having a hard time thinking of what to say (without the tears blocking my
vision). Sorry--I guess I am a typical sentimental female.
Would it please be possible to make us all happy and be sure YOUR PICTURE is on the flight
plans while you are "away".
Thanks for having Dwight, Melinda and Jay here for us. Love to you all, Nan (the
"old" one in Arizona)
Dear Nan, Happy Thanksgiving to you too, but my feeling is that Ken & I will be back
long before Christmas. And, I think we'll be back from time to time over the month with a
line or two on how things are going.
If for any reason we're not, I've seen the first 12 days of poetry that Jay and Melinda
have chosen and I think you'll be pleased. Check out Dwight on Stanyan By Mail too,
because every week he plans to offer new, previously unavailable "stuff."
By the way, Nan, you're here too so you are part of The Stanyan Family. Love, Rod
KNOWING WHO YOU ARE
Hi Rod Its so good to talk to you. I saw you twice in concert when
you were over here in England in the seventies. The concerts were great they gave me a
lasting memory of a great evenings and the copy of Coming Close to the Earth which you
signed for me on 29 October `77 has been a treasured possession.
I have always felt a certain affinity with you after having read Finding my Father. I was
adopted shortly after birth and have never been able to trace my birth mother &
father. Although thanks to a change in the law I now know my mothers name.
What I really want to know is, does the knowledge of who you are change your perception of
life and give you peace. People who know their own roots never understand the need to know
where you came from. I now have children and grandchildren and am constantly delighted to
see a likeness to myself in them. I never knew anyone who bore any likeness at all before.
Thank you Rod for some of the most sensitive and sensual poetry I have read I hope you
will return to the UK soon I would love to see you again and will be a frequent visitor to
your website. Lots of Love from Jacqui
Dear Jacqui, I think knowing your roots helps immeasurably. I was an adult when I
discovered who my father was and a lot of his background. While he had died some years
before, I was able to meet his sister, my Aunt Laura and obtain pictures of my father and
grandfather. I think it made me feel like a more complete person. And, you're right it is
hard to explain the need to know about your background to those who take their own for
granted.
By the way, I'm proud to say the publication of my book in Great Britain went a long way
to get the adoption laws changed. I worked with UK adoption groups and parliamentarians to
change the antiquated laws on the books.
I'm happy for you that you were able to find out the identity of your birth mother.
Whether or not you meet should probably be left up to her. But, it's important for you and
your children to have access to her medical records. Thanks for a nice and informative
letter. Affectionately, Rod
MIKE & ME & OUR OCEANS
Rod - I want to take a moment of your time to say thank you for all
the words you've given me. You taught me how to not just listen to the warm, but to feel
the warm. It stayed with me on my journeys around this old world. Remember walking the
beaches of Majorca and realizing the waves of the Med are different than those of the
Atlantic. Do you remember how they touched the sand so softly and "warm?"
I've never worried that you had died. Never gave it a second thought that you had gone
away, or what you were doing. It didn't bother me that I didn't see new works as often as
I once did. You could have been walking new beaches or at worst, looking down at us from
some upstairs window.
You see, you've always been with us--- everywhere we've gone. And more than once, you kept
the loneliness and insanity away. So, welcome back to those that care. Sincerely, an
admirer and friend, Mike Greenway
Dear Mike, I've never forgotten the sea at Majorca and how different it is from the one
that caresses the shore of Hydra or those that sweep California coastlines. In fact the
only times I ever long to be younger is when I think of those places I traveled to when I
was young man wondering at everything with no physical or mental baggage. Totally open.
Thanks for the support and friendship all these years, Mike, and for your kind and
beautiful letter. With Affection, Rod
FEEDBACK: SCANDELOUS JOHN
Greetings Rod: I was reading old archive messages and read about the
gentleman who was inquiring about the Scandalous John recording. I am very happy to say
that I have a copy of the album and still listen to it today. I also have the VHS movie of
it. I still watch it every once in a while. I guess I wanted to brag that I have this
album and it has some great music to listen to.
It might be that everytime I listen to it I think of Michelle Carey (not sure of spelling
anymore), she was excellent. Also you can't take anything away from Brian Keith. It wasn't
until a few years after "Threes Company" was out that I watched the movie and
realized that John Ritter played a part in the movie. There were many good actors in this
movie. Thanks for the memories, Jerry
Dear Jerry, I've already told why I enjoyed writing the music for "Scandalous
John." The title song "Pastures Green" is also a favorite of the songs I've
written. A mother wrote to me recently saying it was sung at her son's funeral.
I had forgotten that John Ritter was in the film. It also featured the late Iris Adrian,
one of my all time favorite character actresses. And, the great Mexican director Alfonzo
Arrou was in it as an actor. I don't know what happened to Michelle Carey, one of the most
beautiful women I've ever met, with talent and intellect to spare.
Before Bill Walsh, the producer of Scandalous John's death we had talked about him filming
the screenplay I wrote based on "Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows." He had
even tried to take an option on it, but Columbia owned it at the time and he was under
contract to Disney.
After the letter last week about "Scandalous John," Wade Alexander contacted me
and said he'd always remember Bill because one day when he was striding through a deserted
soundstage at Disney, Bill spotted him in the distance and was reminded of Gary Cooper.
Come to think of it, that's understandable. Thank you for the memories, Jerry. All the
best, Rod
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Dear Rod: Got a question that you may end up receiving from more
than one of us--regarding your voice in "The Little Mermaid". We want so much to
know if your voice was used in the Disney 1989 movie or in the subsequent TV Series.
I have ended up renting both this weekend (haven't watched the original movie yet). I
realize you probably mentioned this in the past--but would like to buy the correct film
for my collection. Thanks--it is such a beautiful story. Love, Nan
Dear Nan, My voice was in the series not the film. I played a fish philosopher named
Archemedies who looked remarkably like me. I was blown away by working with Mark Hamill,
who did several voices and Kenneth Mars one of the most talented actors in the business.
He played Ariel's father. Archemedies was a great part and I wish the series had gone on.
I'll try and find out for you what the titles of the episodes I appeared in were. Thanks
Nan, Rod
GOODBYE
Dear Rod, You had the following lyrics in a song I think was
released in the mid 70's, It said words to the effect:" Once you said we have nothing
to laugh about mean while you laugh at me enough for both of us you clean out of
kindness."
I would like to know which of your albums feature this lyric please. Thanking You, Chris
Flekas
Dear Chris, The selection you're asking about is a poem with a musical background entitled
"Goodbye." The words were printed in last Sunday's Flight Plan. The recording is
available from Stanyan By Mail on the LP "Rod McKuen, 77." A different recording
of it also appears on the out of print recording "Live In South Africa". Thanks
for asking, Chris. All the best, Rod
I REMEMBER THE CORNFIELDS
Dear Mr. McKuen, Do you have any recommendations about getting a
copy of your magnificent recording "I Remember The Cornfields." I have never
seen it on C.D.
Thank for you for all these decades of utterly unique artistry which people will still be
enjoying decades from now.
Wayne Michael Brasler, Chicago
Dear Michael, thanks for referring to my recording of "I Remember The
Cornfields" as a 'magnificent version.' WOW.
Now that the rights to my ten volume "Songs That Won The War" project has
reverted to me I'll be making a deal with another record company for that series and the
second 10 discs, Vol. 3 & 4. "I Remember The Cornfields" is set to be in
Vol. 3 on a disc entitled "Bundles From Britain." I can't reveal the label yet,
but look for it in the fall of 2000. Thanks, Rod
GEORGIA O'KEEFE
Just out of curiosity - did you or did you not provide narration for
a documentary on Georgia O'keeffe, possibly for PBS in the mid to late 70's? I may be
going 'senile', BUTI recall stopping my channel surfing at the time because I heard your
voice....the program was on Georgia O'keeffe & it was my introduction to this great
American Artist.
Sincerely hope both you & Ken enjoy every minute of your respective vacations.
"RoPhred"
Dear "RoPhred." You are not senile . . .yet. Be patient. Yep I did the narration
for Georgia O'Keeffe around the same time as I narrated the series on American Indian
Artists and our National Parks for PBS.
Don't know where anyone got the idea Ken and I were going on vacation. In our dreams!
Trying to put together and work out "The Stanyan House" web site is anything but
a vacation. Nevertheless it'll be fun working with Ken on this one. A real challenge for
many reasons. Cheers, Rod
AGE IS BETTER
Mr. McKuen, We met once, at a bookstore where you were the celebrity
author and you were kind enough to speak with me briefly. I've enjoyed your work for many
years and thank you for it.
I've just read your poem "Age is Better" and would like to take a framed copy to
my local VFW, to share your words with my friends there. It would be faithfully printed
from your website, unless you'd like me to correct the spelling of pretense (smile). Do I
have your permission? Thank you for your time. Lin Awe
Dear Lin, permission granted. By all means correct my spelling. Hope we meet again on the
next tour. Love, Rod
PETULA: THANKS FOR THE TIP
Hello, I'm in San Francisco for a few days and took your advice. My
daughter and I saw Petula Clark in "Sunset Blvd" and when you're right -- you're
right! We wouldn't have wanted to miss it. Her voice is great as ever and clear as a bell.
She brought tears to my eyes, but I cry when I'm touched and her voice will do that won't
it? A show with you and Petula would be too much to ask wouldn't it?
Like all your fans probably, I have so many things I'd like to ask you or discuss with you
because we get to know you through your writing. You seem like a friend rather than
someone far removed from us, but I'll be polite instead of greedy and will confine myself
to one question or subject per letter, OK? And, I won't write too often but will spread it
over a year or two. Love - Your Friend, Dolores Cooper
Dear Dolores. Glad you caught Pet in "Sunset Blvd." I pity anyone who doesn't
get a chance to see this performance. It's Petula's final swing of her North American tour
of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of the Billy Wilder film. She's never been
better, as an actress and a singer. She'll be in San Francisco for another week and I'll
keep you posted on the upcoming cities she'll be appearing in.
If you'd like to know more about what Petula Clark is up to, try typing her name into a
search engine and you'll find all kinds of sites dedicated to her work. When Stanyan House
goes up it'll have links to many sites including those for Petula, Sinatra, Jimmy Webb,
Jimmie Rodgers, Perry Como and other friends of Stanyan. With warm wishes, Rod
Today we sadly acknowledge the recent passing of one of the true sweethearts of World War
II, Ella Mae Morse and the talented singer/actor songwriter Hoyt Axton.
Tomorrow I'll be back with Pass It Along. Meanwhile, start thinking about the weekend and
sleep warm.
- RM 10/27/99 Previously unpublished |
