Bruce Springsteen - As Dreams Don't Mean Nothing - A Night For the Vietnam Vets - Los Angeles (August 20th, 1981)

Big bussinessmen and political leaders failed to rally behind us," said Vietnam veteran Bobby Muller, speaking to about 15,000 remarkably attentive rock fans on August 20th at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. "And now it ultimately turns out to be the symbol of our generation – rock & roll – that brings us together. . . . This is the first step in ending the silence that has surrounded Vietnam."

To deafening applause, Muller, sitting center stage in a wheelchair, turned over the spotlight to Bruce Springsteen, the first of several rockers to play benefits for the veterans. Minutes earlier, Springsteen had introduced Muller with his own, terse, eloquent speech; now, he led the E Street Band into a dark, swelling melody and stepped to the mike to sing, "Long as I remember, the rain's been falling down. . . ." Creedence Clearwater Revival's eleven-year-old "Who'll Stop the Rain" was transformed into a majestic call to arms, and the next two songs deepended the mood: "Prove It All Night" was stripped of its usual joy, and Springsteen came down hard on the lines "If dreams came true, oh wouldn't it be nice/But this ain't no dream we're living through tonight." Then, without pause, he turned toward the two stage-side platforms full of veterans in wheelchairs and no crutches and ripped into "The Ties That Bind": "You been hurt and you're all cried out you say/You walk down the street pushing people out of your way."

All proceeds from the show – the first in a six-night stand for Springsteen at the Sports Arena – will be split between the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) – the organization Muller heads – and the Los Angeles Mental Health Clinic (the VVA will receive seventy-five percent of the estimated $100,000 take). Shortly after Springsteen announced his benefit, other musicians came to the aid of the veterans: Pat Benatar's September 20th Detroit performance will benefit the VVA, and Charlie Daniels will give the organization proceeds from a Warner Amex cable TV concert filmed in Saratoga Springs, New York, on September 4th. "I feel that the Vietnam veterans have been the most mistreated and most ignored people I can remember in my lifetime," said Daniels, "and this is the third war I've been through. It's time they were looked after and respected in the way they deserve."

Springsteen became interested in the veteran's plight through his friendship with disable vet Ron Kovic; he asked his manager, Jon Landau, to research the various veterans organization to determine which is the most effective, and he decided to do the show after meeting with Muller and VVA vice-president Michael Harbert earlier this summer.

"These are people of our generation – Bruce's, mine," said Landau. "I think Bruce saw a lot of his high-school friends go to Vietnam. It sounds corny, but these people we're trying to help could have been us if the circumstances had been a little different." Landau said he expects Springsteen to continue working for the veterans in different ways; an official Springsteen poster is already for sale, with all proceeds going to the VVA.

Backstage after the Springsteen show, Muller was ecstatic about the support his group is suddenly getting. "We tried everything," said Muller of his three-year-old organization. "Corporations, foundations, direct mail. We got thirty-five editorials in the Washington Post in 1978, but we didn't realize a single legislative objective. You can't push costly benefit programs through Congress with good arguments. You need political strength, and that means numbers."

With only 8000 members, the VVA does not have that strength. But after years of maneuvering, the group finally obtained a list of 1 million Vietnam veterans, and money from the concerts will go towards a direct-mailing operation aimed at those vets. Muller said that a goal of 50,000 members by spring and another 100,000 by the end of 1982 is realistic.

"People don't like to think about the Vietnam vets, because everything about the war was negative," he said. "We shouldn't have been fighting, we lost. . . . But Bruce has publicly aligned himself with the lepers of our society and taken us out of the shadows."

Springsteen made his commitment clear in his speech introducing Muller in Los Angeles. "It's like when you're walking down a dark street at night, and out of the corner of your eye you see somebody getting hurt in a dark alley," he said slowly. "But you keep walking on because you think it don't have nothing to do with you and you just want to get home. Vietnam turned this whole country into that dark street, and unless we can walk down those alleys and look into the eyes of those men and women, we're never gonna get home."

This story is from the October 1st, 1981 issue of Rolling Stone.



Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/springsteen-others-rally-to-help-vets-19811001#ixzz3yryqESss
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

After Party - Late Night Saturday - 80s Dance (Jan 31st, 2016)

Mick Smiley, Magic (Ghostbusters Soundtrack, 1984)

John Carpenter, Escape From New York (Main Theme, 1981)

Bruce Springsteen - Wreck On The Highway (1.19.16)

United Center, Chicago, IL.

So The River, I,...the {ah} thing I wrote about was time...I was sitting with a friend of mine last night and he said, ' Time comes to us all.' And The River was about the ticking of that time and how we each have finite amount of it - to do our jobs, to raise our family, to do something good....

That's The River.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We got some more left..."

Night
No Surrender (Take 2, Take 3)
Cover Me
She's The One
Human Touch
The Rising
Thunder Road

Grateful Dead - April 22, 1978

Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN.

Set 1
Bertha->
Good Lovin'
Candyman
Looks Like Rain
Tennessee Jed
Jack Straw
Peggy-O
New Minglewood Blues
Deal

Set 2
Lazy Lightning->
Supplication
It Must Have Been The Roses
Estimated Prophet (Weir: "The rhythm section...")
Eyes Of The World (no-good-coked out super-fast '78 version)
Rhythm Devils-> (full-on jungle chanting ritual sacrifice)
Not Fade Away
Wharf Rat
Sugar Magnolia

Encore
One More Saturday Night 


Notes: Another Saturday night with the Grateful Dead. Blazing Bertha->Good Lovin' combo to open the show. Rockin'. Focused. Jerry is on point. This is a really good 1st set with a delicate Candyman.  looks like rain, and down home Jed with a mighty visit from Jack Straw. please please me peggy-o.

Off to watch the History of the Eagles again. Glen Frey is such an asshole. And maybe Horace & Pete (Louis C.K.'s new show that was unexpectedly released today).

Turner Classic Movies with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

CATS - Original Broadway Cast - Tony Awards (1984)

CATS - Shiki Theater Company - Japansese Cast (2013)

S

Inherent Vice, 2013 (Venice, California)

Fiona Apple - Best New Artist MTV (1997)

"This world is bullshit."
A 20-year old who wrote Sleep To Dream, Criminal, & Shadowboxer.

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/101582/fiona-apple-best-new-artist-1997.jhtml

LIz Phair - Sessions at West 54th w/ David Byrne (1998)

Polyester Bride & 6'1".
The real thrill is David Byrne (wearing designer fatigues) as the interviewer on PBS.

Liz Phair - Fuck & Run (1995)

I had a crush on her in high school & I watched the X-Files. 20 years later, I still have a crush on her and the X-Files is back on television. (Hail, Hail Chicago)

Risky Business (Paul Brickman, 1983)

The original/director's ending.

In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins, 1981) / Risky Business (Paul Brickman, 1983)

Going to the grocery in the frigid dark, this popped on the radio.
Highland Park. High School. And Saturday Nights.

Phish - Feb. 15th, 2003

Thomas & Mack Arena, Las Vegas, NV.
Set 1
Llama
Wolfman's Brother
Reba
Life On Mars (David Bowie)
46 Days
It's Ice
Frankie Says
Run Like An Antelope

Set 2
Waves>
Bug>
Ghost>
Free
Harry Hood

Notes:
Attended the previous night/ the tour opener on Valentine's Day at The Forum, Los Angeles.  First show of the tour after the hiatus. And that was all. People were looking for Vegas tix in the lot. Beginning of a journey.
From the opening Llama through Reba. Powerhouse. Dig on the Frankie Says & Antelope. Second set melts and flows. (Ghost has that little jingle reminiscent from Twist 6.14.00 & Ghost 5.22.00).

The Darjeeling Limited (Wes Anderson, 2007)

(shout out to the kinks lola versus powerman and the moneygoround.) gimme darjeeling over fantastic mr fox moonrise kingdom grand budapest hotel.

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - Nov. 5th, 1980

tempe, az. badlands/thunder road.
woke up in a half-dream that this happened. we'll be back with a whole 'nother set.

Siskel & Ebert - Casino (Martin Scorsese,1995)

was so excited. the long chronic fatigue of junior year of high school. took the train down to Chicago (mid-november) to meet my Dad on a Wednesday night to see a "sneak preview" before it officially opened. (Pipers Alley?) people walked out from the house of the rising sun.

heat opened the next week on thanksgiving weekend.

Siskel & Ebert - Hard Eight (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1996)

high school in the mid-90s. suburbs of chicago. saturday at 6:30pm on ch. 2.

Siskel & Ebert - Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997)

On point. Back in my freshman year of college, seeing it down at the Canal Street Theater, it felt like great style over substance. I left the theater feeling empty. I'd seen this before -- Scarface, Goodfellas, Casino, etc.

Time changes.

Siskel & Ebert - The Doors (Oliver Stone, 1991)

These guys are so great. They love movies, in such a pure way. Glad they are from Chicago.

Ricky Nelson - Garden Party (1972)

On October 15, 1971, Richard Nader's Rock 'n Roll Revival concert was given at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Ricky wrote this about that concert. The garden was Madison Square Garden.

State Of The Union Address - Jan. 12, 2016

President Obama's final State of the Union Address. Here's the closing passage:

Our brand of democracy is hard. But I can promise that a year from now, when I no longer hold this office, I’ll be right there with you as a citizen — inspired by those voices of fairness and vision, of grit and good humor and kindness that have helped America travel so far. Voices that help us see ourselves not first and foremost as black or white or Asian or Latino, not as gay or straight, immigrant or native born; not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans first, bound by a common creed. Voices Dr. King believed would have the final word — voices of unarmed truth and unconditional love.
They’re out there, those voices. They don’t get a lot of attention, nor do they seek it, but they are busy doing the work this country needs doing.
I see them everywhere I travel in this incredible country of ours. I see you. I know you’re there. You’re the reason why I have such incredible confidence in our future. Because I see your quiet, sturdy citizenship all the time.
I see it in the worker on the assembly line who clocked extra shifts to keep his company open, and the boss who pays him higher wages to keep him on board.
I see it in the Dreamer who stays up late to finish her science project, and the teacher who comes in early because he knows she might someday cure a disease.
I see it in the American who served his time, and dreams of starting over — and the business owner who gives him that second chance. The protester determined to prove that justice matters, and the young cop walking the beat, treating everybody with respect, doing the brave, quiet work of keeping us safe.
I see it in the soldier who gives almost everything to save his brothers, the nurse who tends to him ’til he can run a marathon, and the community that lines up to cheer him on.
It’s the son who finds the courage to come out as who he is, and the father whose love for that son overrides everything he’s been taught.
I see it in the elderly woman who will wait in line to cast her vote as long as she has to; the new citizen who casts his for the first time; the volunteers at the polls who believe every vote should count, because each of them in different ways know how much that precious right is worth.
That’s the America I know. That’s the country we love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. That’s what makes me so hopeful about our future. Because of you. I believe in you. That’s why I stand here confident that the State of our Union is strong.

Grateful Dead - October 12, 1984

Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine

Set 1

Feel Like A Stranger

It Must Have Been The Roses

On The Road Again

Jack-a-Roe

It's All Over Now

Cumberland Blues

The Music Never Stopped

Set 2

Cold Rain & Snow

Lost Sailor>

Saint of Circumstance

Don't Need Love

Uncle John's Band>

Drums>

Space>

Playing In The Band>

Uncle John's Band

Morning Dew

Encore

Good Lovin

Notes:

Listened to it while watching the wild Steelers/Bengals (18-16) big ben seperated shoulder, burfict dirty hit, pacman fiasco of a game. Funky Stranger opener, UJB>Drums, and Morning Dew as highlights. rough around the edges field recording

Grateful Dead -- May 3rd, 1986

Cal Expo Amphitheater, Sacramento, California

Set 1
Cold Rain & Snow
The Race Is On*
They Love Each Other
C.C. Rider
High Time
Beat It On Down The Line
Promised Land
Deal

Set 2
Scarlet Begonias>
Fire On The Mountain
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
Drums>
Space>
The Other One
Comes A Time
Sugar Magnolia

Notes: timeless. the good ol' grateful dead. somehow on this day, that "80s" sound so recognizable on the keys, guitar, vocals has vanished. clean. country. western. honky. rock. a perfect little gem.

*Bob: "We're missing the Derby." (Assuming it was an afternoon start time)

Queimada (Burn!) (Ennio Morricone, 1969)

Abolição

Simple Twist of Fate (1975)

I never really understood this song, until listening to it right now. But then again, there's a lot I didn't realize, or understand, until recently. (Guess it's time to give Blood On The Tracks a full spin with fresh ears.)

Let Me Roll It (1973)

Paul McCartney & Wings, Band On The Run.

Lonesome & A Long Way From Home (December 11th, 1977)

Jerry Garcia Band. Recreation Hall, Penn State University. State College, PA 

New Years' Resolutions (Woody Guthrie, 1942)

Magnet & Steel (1978)

A New Year. A New Day. Be Awesome. (This happened to be playing on the radio, couldn't believe it. )

Seven Below -> Ghost

Yield

a monday in milwaukee.





a monday in milwaukee.

Rage / The Savage Is Loose

There's a storm brewing inside this man. It's a Monday. He's watching the Red Wings. 

I'll be at the New Beverly for the first time since QT took over.

"Farewell" Tour

One more Friday night.

No Code

a friday autumn evening in moline.

Dark Star>Comes a Time (Bill Frisell & James McNew, 10.5.14)

War On Drugs : Suck My Cock

This is the song of the year.

The Golden Age of Television

Thelonius Monk -- Notes to His Combo

Royals

Royals

Amusement Park Apologizes for Gun Shirt Error

Ferguson, MO

Wombat

True Detective: Season Two

Celebrity Death Pool: Lauren Bacall

Mrs. Bacall's most famous scene is being punched in the face by Christopher.

Celebrity Death Pool: Robin Williams

Robin Williams Had No Financial Problems Prior to Death, Says Rep

By Taryn Ryder4 hours agoYahoo Celebrity

View photo

.

Robin Williams (FilmMagic)

Robin Williams's publicist is slamming reports that the late actor was having money troubles before his death.

"Robin had no financial problems," the actor's longtime rep told The Wrap. "We should be blessed to have Robin's financial status."

The Crazy Ones star was found dead in his home in Tiburon, California, on Monday. Thecause of death was suicide by asphyxiation, authorities stated. Robin's publicist revealed he had been "battling severe depression of late." He was 63.

On Tuesday, a number of outlets speculated that Williams was having financial woes stemming from an interview he gave in September 2013.

"The idea of having a steady job is appealing," Williams told Parade about his return to TV after 31 years. "I have two [other] choices: go on the road doing stand-up, or do small, independent movies working almost for scale [minimum union pay]. The movies are good, but a lot of times they don't even have distribution. There are bills to pay. My life has downsized, in a good way. I'm selling the ranch up in Napa. I just can't afford it anymore."

Williams stated — or possibly joked — his previous two divorces were to blame.

"Well, [I didn't lose] all [my money]," he said. "Lost enough. Divorce is expensive. I used to joke they were going to call it 'all the money,' but they changed it to 'alimony.' It's ripping your heart out through your wallet. Are things good with my exes? Yes. But do I need that lifestyle? No."

[Related: The Family Robin Williams Leaves Behind]

"Robin often said things in jest, and sometimes it just doesn't translate in print," Williams's publicist explained to The Wrap. "There were plenty of times over the years that Robin was offered to do TV," she continued, saying money wasn't why he took the job. "Robin wanted to do 'The Crazy Ones' because of [show creator] David Kelley and the material. That's why he took the show… not because he needed the money."

His rep continued: "I understand the desire to understand the 'Why'… It's not going to happen. The better thing to do is to try to understand severe depression. That isn't going to be answered, and you can speculate all you want."

Forbes estimated Williams's net worth to be around $50 million.

Willams leaves behind wife Susan Schneider and three adult children from two previous marriages, daughter Zelda, 25, and sons Zachary, 31, and Cody, 22.

[Related: Zelda Williams Quits Social Media in Wake of Dad's Death]

In 2009, the actor set up a trust naming his three children as beneficiaries, splitting their funds into three equal distributions, set to pay out when they reached the ages of 21, 25, and 30.

Happy Birthday to Rose (Hejira)

Kat Bird

2 hrs · Portland, OR · 

MY 38th BIRTHDAY GIFT: 3 hours holding the deep focus and attention of 30+ men.
Not everyday men, MEN ON THE VERGE, men showing up, stepping up, and surrendering into being better men, better lovers, better contributors to this world and the women in it.
They dove into their bodies, grounding and releasing the tightness that holds them back, they contacted and fed their energetic systems prepping for major connections. They confronted their fears and kicked them the fuck out of their lives, they stood up to be judged by a sword of love and exposed their hearts.

These men are Warriors! Not because they hide behind a mask of tough masculinity but because they are willing to travel to their darkest parts and search for their Holy Grail. They found discomfort, fear, unknowing and the horrible action of actually being seen and known.
And they did it with women, fully in trust, fully showing up every moment.
I love this work. I love these men. I love Charmaine Haworth for holding down this event with me and wielding her sweet sword of truth. And I loveMike Hrostoski (the men's coach), who when I told him that I really felt called to work with men said hell yeah, you would rock that, how can I support you?
Thank you men for inspiring me to be a better person. Thank you for showing up in the huge way that you do. I am committed to you.
You fucking rocked my birthday!

Pearl Jam -- Soldier Field, July 11th, 1995.

"What you are listening to is live from the Pearl Jam/Bad Religion show. We are getting the direct feed from the board. Enjoy."

1. Release
2. Go
3. Last Exit
4. Spin the Black Circle
5. Tremor Christ
6. Corduroy
7. Whipping
8. I Got Shit
9. Dissident
10. Even Flow
11. Improv/Sick o’ Pussies
12. Deep
13. Jeremy
14. Glorified G
15. Daughter (This Boy/The Real Me/W.M.A./Another Brick in the Wall)
16. Animal
17. Habit
18. Jam/Lukin
19. Little Wing (Tease)
20. Not For You
21. Elderly Woman
22. Immortality
23. Alive
24. Porch

Siskel & Ebert

Two more Chicagoians.

An archive to delve into. I'm gonna start with the episode with Seven, Canadian Bacon, and Showgirls all reviewed.

Patriotism

"I guess before we left the U.S., since this is the last night in the U.S...(U.S.A. chant breaks out)...This is a toast...
I guess I just wanted to clarify that whatever we said, whatever we said tonight, whatever we said in the other cities, we have an opinion, and it comes from a position of caring.
And it comes from a position of caring for our country. And I think that's what makes you a patriot. It's when you care for our country, when you care. And you just don't care for the country, it's the people in it. We got great oceans, mountains, canyons, cities...but it's the people in it that make up this country. 
And we know you've been through a lot and I think when you care about that, that makes you a patriot.
And it's not necessarily about victory, it's not necessarily about corporations, and what's good for them, it's not about money, it's about the people.
So when we leave this country, I want you to know...I guess we just hope that you're proud of us when we leave here & take our songs abroad. We hope we have your support, and we hope that you're proud of us for having an opinion, and a stand... Thank you very much."

--Eddie Vedder  (Holmdel, July 14th, 2003) -- encore break before going into 'Growin' Up' by Bruce Springsteen.

Wembley Stadium. July 4th, 1985.

4th of July

I woke up from a drunken slumber at 1:44am so I could spin this for the first time of many during the next twenty-four hours.

The Donkeys. Albuquerque, July 3rd

"Sweetness"

The Donkeys. Tempe, July 2nd

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what's on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes
And there's no turning back this time

I am a patriot

I was walking with my girlfriend
She looked so fine
I said, "Baby, what's on your mind?"
She said, "I want to run like the lion
released from the cages
released from the rages
burning in my heart tonight."

I am a patriot

And I ain't no communist
And I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
And I ain't no imperialist
And I ain't no democrat
Sure ain't no republican
I only know one party
And it is freedom

I am, I am, I am
I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my country is all I know

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

For My Dad. On My Birthday.

I'm Having an Old Friend For Dinner

The World Cup is so wild and amazing.

(And Joxer Daly's in Culver City serves a very good Irish breakfast and Bloody Mary.)

Driftin' Back

I used to dig Picasso
I used to dig Picasso
hey now now, hey now now
I used to dig Picasso

then the big tech giant came along
and turned him into wallpaper
hey now now, hey now now
I used to dig Picasso

I'm driftin' back
I'm driftin' back
I'm driftin' back
I'm driftin' back

Francis Ford Coppola -- May, 1978

Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away

My college crush. Summer, 2000.

Holy Cow!

My favorite story this year. An inspiration.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Harry Caray diary tracked every drink, every bar in 1972

BY NEIL STEINBERG June 2, 2014 10:06AM

Harry Caray (left) and Steve Stone team up in the Cubs broadcast booth at Wrigley Field in this WGN-TV file photo. No date has been provided.

ARTICLE EXTRAS

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It isn’t the “Vampire Diaries” or “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” It sure isn’t the diary of Anne Frank.

But it is a diary, of sorts. An 8-by-5-inch, dark green, 1972 “Day Book” owned, once upon a time, by famed baseball broadcaster Harry Caray.

Grant DePorter, CEO of the Harry Caray’s chain of eateries, inherited the diary, one of eight, all from the ’70s and early ’80s, in four boxes of memorabilia, World Series tickets and cashed checks, that the executor of Caray’s estate found when he cleaned out his office.

Knowing my interest in all things historical, DePorter asked if I wanted to take a peek at one, and I swung by Harry’s and walked away with 1972.

I should say right away that this is not a Dear Kitty, pour-out-your-heart, frank-assessment-of-my-friends kind of diary. Old Harry was not big on introspection, as he was the first to admit.

“I’m a convivial sort of guy. I like to drink and dance,” he told an interviewer once.

Caray was the Cardinals’ color broadcaster for many years in St. Louis. Driven out of town in 1969, he migrated to Chicago, via a misfire year in Oakland, to announce first for the hapless White Sox, finishing his career in a golden twilight glow with the Cubs.

In 1972, he had just begun his tenure with the Sox. A savvy businessman, Caray cut a deal pegged to ballpark attendance, which doubled, largely thanks to his flamboyant presence. It would make him very wealthy, though in 1972 he was still tallying each bar tab.

“Remember, you used to be able to deduct a three-martini lunch,” DePorter said.

Saturday, Jan. 1, lists four bars: the Back Room, still on Rush Street, plus three long-ago joints: 20 E. Delaware, Sully’s and Peppy’s, with expenses for each $10.30, $9.97, $10, and $8.95. This in a year when a six-pack of Old Style set you back $1.29.

You needed to cite who you entertained to get the write-off, so on New Year’s Day he lists Dave Condon, the Tribune sports columnist; Billy Sullivan, who owned Sully’s; and Joe Pepitone, the former Yankees first baseman who had been traded to the Cubs.

And so it begins. A chain of old-time Chicago bars — Riccardo’s, Boul Mich, Mr. Kelly’s. A posse of early 1970s sports figures — Wilt Chamberlain, Don Drysdale, Gale Sayers. Plus a few unexpected blasts from the past: boxer Jack Dempsey, comedian Jack Benny.

“These guys did nothing but go out and have a few cocktails,” said Jimmy Rittenberg, who owned Faces, which Caray visited 14 times in 1972. “I don’t know how they did it. They were 20, 30 years older than me and I couldn’t keep up with them.”

Jan. 16 something unusual happens. Caray is in Miami, yet there are no expenses, just one enigmatic word, “Super.”

After that break, if indeed it was, comes 288 consecutive days in bars, not only in Chicago, but New York City, and of course on the road with the Sox, beginning with spring training in Sarasota.

The unbroken streak pauses Nov. 3, when all we get is “to K City @310.” The only completely blank day is Monday, Nov. 6 — what must THAT have been like? Then off to the races again.

Clay Felker, founder of New York magazine. Caray’s former boss, A’s owner Charlie Finley. A few surprises: Sox owner John Allyn. Several times. That surprised me, though it shouldn’t have. All I knew about their relationship was that Allyn fired Caray, and Caray replied with this timeless retort:

“I can’t believe any man can own a ballclub and be as dumb as John Allyn. Did he make enough to own it, or did he inherit it? He’s a stupid man. This game is much too complicated for a man like John Allyn.”

But that was 1975, the epic year when White Sox players complained they did so poorly because of Caray’s critical broadcast booth assessments, drawing my favorite Caray line: “Hey, you can’t ballyhoo a funeral.”

So what was it like to stand in the Pump Room (16 visits in 1972) and hoist a few with Caray?

“I was out with Harry Caray a couple of times,” the Tribune’s Rick Kogan said. “It was always at the Pump Room. He was one of the most charming people in the world.”

How so?

“Drunk but joyful,” Kogan said. “It always wound up being a joyful, laughter-filled time.”

Caray was always surrounded by friends like TV sportscaster Tim Weigel.

“He really liked Tim Weigel,” Kogan said. “I was an audience, at best, with those two characters around. They had incredible mutual affection. There was no better place to share that mutual affection than over way too many cocktails.”

I assumed that White Sox broadcasters today do not hang out in bars every night fraternizing with ballplayers and other assorted celebrities. But, not liking to assume things, I phoned the Sox and asked whether current announcers Steve Stone, who shared a mike with Caray, or Ken Harrelson, burned the midnight oil.

They declined to comment.

That kinda says it all, huh?

Toward the end of the diary, on Dec. 24, comes the kicker. After spending at least 354 of the previous 357 days in bars (DePorter counted 61 different tap houses) Caray writes, in a bold hand, “Vacation in Acapulco. Then “Vacation” every day until the year runs out.

Which makes me wonder how he knew he was on vacation. I guess if nobody was playing baseball in front of him and when he looked over the rim of his drink he saw Mexico, then he knew he was on vacation.

But give Caray credit. As old-fashioned, and perhaps even pathological, as the bar-crawling seems today, there is another truth worth mentioning: Harry Caray could have taken his drinks at home. He went out because it was his job.

“He felt the bartender and bar people were his fans,” Rittenberg said. “He felt he was responsible He would stop in 10 joints. He was just a gregarious guy.”

All Apologies

Peter Gabriel, Kiss, Hall & Oates, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, the E Street Band...and then Nirvana performed. And I forgot that the previous three hours even existed. In the wake. Powerful stuff.