Thank you W-Bear
 
Thanks W-Bear for writing this to me, you really made my day. I hope you don’t mind that I re-posted it in the blog. I love it when I know that I have written something and someone else can say, “I have been in that same exact place, she is writing about what I feel and what I felt.” Especially because sometimes the songs are hard to understand. I probably did not meet you back then as I was very introspective and didn’t hang out much, but you might have known my brothers. Thanks so much for telling me this!!
 
PS - I should have had a great photo of the Fireman’s Monument above but I am not at home right now! When I get back I will put it up.
 
 
Ms. Vega:
 
I don't usually write to fan sites, but I recently discovered your song, "Zephyr and I" and had to respond.
 
It is, simply put, a masterpiece.
 
I was a teenager on the Upper West Side in the 1970's. I knew Zephyr and his crew. I hung out  at the monument, Central Park, the various parties, etc. I rode the graffiti-covered number 1 to school. I snuck into the Beacon. I worked at the Palladium before it became a club.
 
I don't recall meeting you personally, but it's possible I did.
 
You're song cut me to the quick; I had to force back tears.
 
It is brilliantly evocative on two levels:
 
1) Recalling the youth culture of WEA back in the day.
 
2) The feeling of nostalgia and loss being there today.
 
One of the greatest stanzas in rock and roll:
 
Well the wind kicks up in the smell of rain
The kids are gone but the souls remain
The graffiti's gone and the walls complain
The flowers go but the earth must still remain
 
Heartbreakingly well put.
 
Over the years I've lost touch with almost everybody from that time. People moved away. People  died. People moved on. When I got to WEA now, I'm often overwhelmed with nostalgia and longing.
 
It was a strange youth we all had in a strange place and time.
 
Now that those days are gone, we have you as our Poet Laureate.
 
Thank you,
Will Greenspon a.k.a. W-Bear
 
 
Tuesday, March 18, 2008