Blues Loss

A video clip of a solemn James Montgomery caught my eye from the background TV I had on. Sound up to adible, I was saddened to learn Weeping Willie Robinson, a Boston Blues music icon, had his funeral today. (Page 2 of the Globe article gives more current details.)
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After moving to Beantown back in '59, Willie had fallen on hard times in recent years. He'd been homeless for awhile before getting into that assistance house where smoking a ciggarrette in bed did him in- on the night of December 30th.
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James n some other friends like BB King had played music with him, n given him help n encouragement on many occassions. A benefit concert was given to help him out a few years back. He played at the summer Blues Fest in my village, n recently at the blues club a few blocks away from me. I still have flyers with his name on them.
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I'm sad for those he inspired, befriended, n made fans. He was a good person who deserved better in life than what this economy is dishing out this decade. Bless you, Willie! Your name n music will live on in our souls.
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I'm sad that he couldn't quit his nasty smoking habit, n that it took him so suddenly. Leaving us with that bitter taste of tough life in our mouths.
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I'm glad though, that on New Years Day 2003, I was able to bring myself the determination needed to banish the smoking habit from the remainder of my life. I guess that's a five-year milestone I would never have brought up, had I not heard the news about Willie tonight, by way of noticing James familar face in my background scenery.
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Darn, I miss those guys... Where are those old cassettes n Cds? ... but I don't miss the smoke at all anymore!
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Here's the best photo I have of my now dusty Toy-friends, previously published on ESR in '06. I wish it was warm enough now for an outdoor clean-up.

I need to watch out for those deadly dust-mites...

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Willie, here's to you-