I think a lot of what Don said/did has been reported in the press already, so our apologies if some of this is a repeat of what you’ve heard previously.

We also stopped taking notes while Don was talking, so this probably isn’t in the right order and I’m sure we’re forgetting something.

It was nice to see Don finally take the stage. It was kind of surreal not actually seeing him until that point. It was easy to wonder if he was even there at all. He was presented with his award and then it was his turn to make some comments.

Don said that the whole evening was so strange…that it was like being at his own memorial service or something. He said that everyone should have the chance to kind of attend their own funeral. He was laughing while he said this, though, so his comments weren’t as dark as they seemed.

He thanked each artist that performed and said that these arrangements were so good that he was actually starting to like some of the songs again…including “Best of My Love”. He apologized to Shawn Colvin about her feedback problems and called her “honey”. He thought he had forgotten to thank Sam Moore, but was informed that he had taken care of it already. Don didn’t seem to believe that, so he thanked Sam again. Don also said that he would see Timothy in the studio on Monday.

Don thanked Bernie Taupin for his remarks and said, “…right back at you, my brother…I wish I had your catalog. I could retire tomorrow.”.

Don thanked his “extended” family which included Irving and Shelli Azoff, Ed and his wife Rachelle, Mary Kay Place and Mitch Glazer and Kelly Lynch. He said that he had learned a lot about activism from people like Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. He briefly thanked his family, including his “beautiful wife, Sharon” and his 4 kids who he named. He also told everyone that it was actually his son’s 9th birthday and asked the crowd to sing happy birthday to him. Everyone sang while Don’s son appeared on the video screens. It was all very cute and Don said that his son would always remember this special occasion. He also said that, "He's a very good drummer. He's like his old man. He won't practice."

Don then talked about MusiCares and what a great organization it was and that he was proud to help it out. Don mentioned that he was going to make sure that MusiCares (and himself and others) helped to take care of his former drummer, Ian Wallace who was currently in the hospital suffering from esophageal cancer. Don said that Ian could tell hundreds of jokes and was just “good people”. This made us glad that we had chosen to raise funds for MusiCares here on the site. We’ve seen Ian in concert with Don several times and wish him well in this difficult time.

Don then also said that he was glad that MusiCares was there because the record companies aren’t when things happen to musicians. “Too bad it wasn't around, Don said, when Woody Herman died broke. ''He was signed to Columbia, of course.'' [everyone laughs] Then there was the songwriting great Stephen Foster, who also died indigent, and was, according toDon, an EMI-Capitol dependent. Mozart was buried ''penniless in a pauper's grave. He was signed by Doug Morris and Jimmy Iovine. Salieri, his rival, never became popular... one of the many signed to Warner Bros. who were never heard from again.'' Don looked like he had planned to say more, but was cracking himself up too hard to continue. Don also thanked everyone for, “… contributing to this fund for indigent record executives. You didn't think I was going to get up here and be nice."

Don also mentioned that the Eagles’ new album would be out soon and that band would be touring. This elicited actual cheers from this jaded industry crowd. Don said then, that it was time for the music and that he hoped his antibiotics were working.

Don had someone hand him his guitar, he loosened his tie Boys of Summer started. Don’s voice was in good form (despite the fact that he was on anti-biotics and told the Dixie Chicks he was sick).

Next up was Wasted Time and we have to say that this was probably the best version of this we have ever heard. Don put a lot of emotion into the song and the audience was totally quiet. Just beautiful.

During Life in the Fastlane, people started to leave. They must have wanted to find their Towne Cars or get out of the parking garage first. (No, Don didn’t drum). Hotel California was the last song of the evening. Don shook his maracas and it was just like being at a Henley solo show…just one where you wear heals and cocktail dresses.

Things ended abruptly. We said our goodbyes to our table-mates…grabbed up some orphaned tour journals and headed out to the parking lot with lots of memories. It was great to be there for Don’s special occasion. We hope he knows that besides all of the honors and accolades from the bigwigs in the music industry, his fans are very proud of him as well.

 

Return to MusiCares Page