“Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe
you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the
buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while”
--Warren Zevon from his 2003 album The Wind.
When Charlotte and I met in 1989 I was struggling to find a path in the world. Charlotte was kind and smart and beautiful and she seemed to have a personality that could help steady me a bit.
When you're first dating someone you learn a lot about them right away. It’s fun to learn about their family, their job and the kind of music they like. Charlotte was younger then me and liked a lot of early 1980s bands. My musical tastes skewed older but there was a lot of overlap in what we enjoyed.
There was a singer-songwriter we both liked. I was really happy to find out she liked him too. It was Warren Zevon whose biggest hit was 1978’s “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. 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.
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 diagnosis he put more value on every minute. In what is now a legendary statement he said, “You’re reminded to enjoy every sandwich.”
Charlotte didn't have a phobia of doctors. She just didn’t like seeing doctors. 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 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, twenty years ago on September 7, 2003.
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".
"Keep Me In Your Heart" from the album was nominated for song of the year. It 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.
Learn More –
Warren Zevon's last appearance on The Late Show
Warren Zevon performs "Keep Me In Your Heart"