In other places (like social media) we’ve just left it at the above statement. But here, with friends that date back to the inception of the WTIT.net, and this blog which was on February 3rd 2006. SIXTEEN years ago. We’ve been close buddies a long time now. We don’t know about you, but we were a hell of a lot younger then. It was way before the disaster of the idiot that the relationship that led to my third marriage. I’m not angry or bitter. It is an objective fact. I’m happy now. In a large part because of my lifetime friendship with Mimi Lenox. She is a friend that drops everything when you need help. We went a couple of years without speaking because of a fight (TOTALLY my fault, of course), of course. But when I required help, she dropped everything to be there. I mention this not only because of her aiding me through the emotional and very real legal consequences when your spouse out of nowhere announces that she’s leaving, but also it was because of her the WTIT website is even up now. She is going through a lot now, her brother is extremely ill. Have a good thought for her.
Now you are probably thinking that WTIT is ending because of my impending move to Phoenix. While it is timed out, now, that way, but I was trying to figure out how to end it gracefully before that. It was becoming less fun. Not on the evening of the session, who doesn’t like hanging and drinking with your best friends? But the real glue of WTIT was the duo of Johnnie Walker and me. When he passed away, Bouncing Billy really stepped up. He not only became my best friend, but he has only missed a session once, just over a miscommunication on my part, since 2013. He recorded the very first WTIT session with me and will record the last. The fact that we lost touch from 1985 to 2013 seems like ions ago. As a true friend, he is unsurpassed by any other friend that I have ever had. But few have the talent Johnnie had. And while either Rock or Midnight could have filled that role for WTIT, they didn’t. Not because they did not want to, but their attendance dropped when I moved to Rockville after selling my Enfield house. The ride doubled in time to about an hour. Not around the corner like the good old days.
So, when I decided to buy another house, I moved closer to home. I currently live 5 miles from the original WTIT studio. But the damage was done. Instead of seeing Rock & Midnight more every session, it remained at once or twice a year. But it started to improve. Then BOOM! The pandemic hit. So the sessions became only Bill & me and for whatever reason, we couldn’t carry it. Even Johnnie and I couldn’t have gone a year alone without creativity drying up. Then, my son came to me. “Will you sell the house, move to Phoenix?” So I have to buy a house and live (for the first time) five minutes from my son and his family. His youngest turned five last week. He said that he was thinking it was the last party that I didn’t attend. I can’t wait! He’s sold his home in Boston and bought a house in Phoenix.
So unlike our 50th, I am only inviting the five current guys (Rock, Billy, Greg & Midnight) and two of the past: Galloping Gary who was the third man in at the beginning in 1967, and The Cosmic Commando who Johnnie and I selected first to joining us during our 1985 reboot. The only others that I would have considered would have been Gypsy (one of the original 5) but health issues have always prevented him from joining us. The other is Harvey. Harvey was never significant for WTIT, but was my bestie for years. But we had a recent falling out that frankly was long overdue. Even if we were to solve it, I wouldn’t bother to invite him because it never meant much to him. Which is fine. My friendship does not require anyone to record. Although most do. Even exes. My life was recorded. I doubt anyone will ever listen to it all. But it has been a life worth living because of those friendships. And because of my family. I’ve got the best. That’s it for today. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for your interest. We will return. Same time. Same blog.
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Good luck on your moving to Phoenix.
I probably was listening to you guys in the parking lot of McDonald on the Turnpike back in the late 60s early 70s, our radios were always tuned to either POP or DRC.
I hope you continue to play Sat9, your wit is always appreciated.
Thanks Diana!. Of course. I just pick and choose now, mostly depending on my time. I do hope to have even less of it in AZ
I am so glad to see those kind words about Mimi. You two were my blogging sherpas, back a million years ago, and when you had that falling out I felt like a child of divorce!
I had thought thee move was behind the end of WTIT, so I’m glad to see the backstory. I’ve mentioned this to you before — I like these posts better than the ones about The French Twins. The evolution of life, of relationships and friendships, you’re onto something very resonant and universal here. I hope that when you get to Phoenix, you’re able to write about that, too. I’d like to read it.
Cute couple
The cutest.