Shawn Inmon

Yesterday, when I wrote about Dennis Locorriere's passing, I mentioned Shel Silverstein. Someone asked, "Wait? The guy that wrote the children's books?"

Yep, *that* Shel Silverstein.

Fourteen years ago, I wrote a blog (remember those) about Shel and his fascinating life.

I want to share it with you today.

What a life... Shel Silverstein was born on this day 82 years ago, although he shuffled off this mortal coil thirteen years ago. I admire Shel and the life he c...

I've been down and out sick again the past few days, so I missed posting about this when it happened.

Dennis Locorriere passed away on Monday at the age of 76.

I know his name isn't that familiar today, but for me, he was on my Mt. Rushmore of male voices.

If you listened to the radio much in the seventies, you definitely heard Dennis's soulful voice, as he handled much of the lead vocals for first Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, then simplified to just Dr. Hook.

I discovered Dennis and Dr. Hook in 1974, when they were still doing mostly stoner music like "I Got Stoned and I Missed It," "Penicillin Penny," and "Everybody's Makin' It Big but Me."

I was fourteen, didn't smoke w**d, but I loved their anarchic sound.

Over the next six or seven years, they morphed into a big Top 40 band, singing love songs like "Sexy Eyes," "More Like the Movies," and "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman."

I never liked those songs as much, but anything that Dennis sang, I was there for it.

I think his most memorable vocal performances are probably "Carry Me Carrie," or "Sylvia's Mother." Pure vulnerability on vinyl.

As is the way of things, Dr. Hook split up, Dennis went to Europe, and he toured regularly over there right up until the end.

For me, one of the greatest voices in pop music has been stilled, but I will listen to him as long as I am alive.

RIP