Paul Newman – through the Hole in the Wall
28 Sep 2008 2 Comments
in Cancer, Charity, Hole in the Wall Camps, Newman's Own, Paul Newman Tags: Joanne Woodward
Paul Newman died yesterday of cancer in Westport, Connecticut at 83, leaving behind his wife, his daughters, and to all of us a legacy of a wonderful career on film and in charitable work that will live on.
I’ve been a fan ever since I was a kid, watching movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke, Hud and The Sting, no doubt mangled, err, edited, for television, on my families’ old black & white console. Paul has,er had, blue eyes?! OK, I have seen most of these movies plenty of times in color since, as well as his most recent ones. Still, blue eyes run in my dad’s family (wait a second, that doesn’t sound right. . .), so they wouldn’t be what impressed me.
Actually one of the things that most impressed me about him (and probably precisely why he was such a good actor) was that Mr. Newman wasn’t full of himself, and wanted to stay as far away from the Hollywood madness as possible, living in Westport, Connecticut, racing cars, and staying married to Joanne Woodward, his wife of 50 years, who’s also academy award winning career he supported. About his faithfulness to Joanne, Paul once said (in a Playboy interview, not less): “I have steak at home; why go out for hamburger?”.
That’s not all though. There was Paul’s generosity and the charities he set up. The Newman’s Own packages always made me smile. Here’s a major movie star going around being photographed with a much younger woman, young enough to be his daughter; and she really is his daughter! Pa and Nell Newman. My favorites are the Fig Newmans.
All the profits go to charity, so I always feel good about it. I never really looked into what charities they went to, until yesterday, and I was really impressed.
I was especially impressed by his Hole in the Wall Camps to let children with serious illnesses get outdoors to play and laugh and be children again.
What a legacy to leave behind!
So, now Paul, too, has gone through that “hole in the wall,” as one boy described it to his mother. Raising some more hell (though hopefully not enough to get in any real trouble)!
Danny Federici & Melanoma
19 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment
in Bruce Springsteen, Cancer, Danny Federici, Health, Melanoma, Music
The Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, mentioned on the official Bruce Springsteen site, is now up and running. They’ve included a link to make a donation to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Danny’s memory.
There’s a statement by Danny about the melanoma and the danger of too much sun (especially for those of us with fair skin); which is something a lot of people still don’t give a lot of thought to.
“What people take for granted on a daily basis, among so many other things, is their skin. I spent my life, like many others, catching some rays, surfing, hanging out in the sun and it never bothered me until now. Who knew that something as simple as a proper sunscreen or keeping yourself covered up on a sunny day could one day save your life? Our culture looks at a nice tan as a sign of luxury. We spend time in tanning booths when we can’t go to the beach or lay by the pool. It’s time to think again. Especially if you’re fair skinned, have freckles, or light eyes. Be aware of the dangers, take precaution, and have yourself checked out regularly by a dermatologist from head to toe. It could absolutely make the difference in your life.” – Danny Federici
Also included is a wonderful account by his son, Jason Federici, about his father’s now legendary last show with the E Street Band in Indianapolis. How Bruce and Max talked him into it, while he was under treatment at Sloan-Kettering, transported Danny, his family, and doctor to the show, and the love given Danny by Bruce and the rest of the band on that magical night.
Wow!
I was hoping Danny would make it to Seattle, and when that didn’t happen, a little “further on up the road”. A lot of great memories and music. We’ll miss you, Danny. Maybe they needed your organ playing skills in heaven (especially these days). . .
Danny is Gone – A Sad Day on E Street
17 Apr 2008 Leave a Comment
in Bruce Springsteen, Cancer, Danny Federici, Health, Melanoma, Music
Danny Federici, whose organ and accordion playing was the backbone for so much of the music of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band died earlier today. Even though I knew he was sick for a while with melanoma, it hit me hard and I’m still in shock. I always thought he’d be back with the band someday and the E Street Band, in it’s full glory would go on forever.
It’s bittersweet to find out the members of your favorite band are mortal (as someone said on a post on the Backstreets message board tonight). Bittersweet, especially, because with most bands we would have learned that lesson far sooner; as one or more members self-destructed to booze or drugs or other self destructive behavior. No big egos and fights and the band splitting up and tolerating each other for reunion tours rehashing their greatest hits, either. Sadly, Bruce did set them all free for a few years, but once they came back together again the sheer joy of each others company just shines through.
No, thankfully, Bruce, Danny and the rest of the band never quite seem to have gotten how to live as rock stars!
Oh, but to be missing Danny’s signature organ, and that accordion on Sandy (which I was just listening to on the way home from work tonight, ironically). Danny was one of the E Streeters that got taken for granted. As someone noted tonight, he wasn’t up front, playing off Bruce, like Clarence, or Little Steven, or Nils; but his organ set the mood, and helped make the magic, the good magic that is the E Street Band.
Official news, from the Springsteen website:
DANNY FEDERICI
“Danny and I worked together for 40 years – he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much…we grew up together.”
—Bruce SpringsteenDanny Federici, for 40 years the E Street Band’s organist and keyboard player, died this afternoon, April 17, 2008 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three year battle with melanoma.
The Federici family and the E Street family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund. A web site for the Fund is being established and we’ll post its link when it is on line.
Bruce Springsteen’s concerts scheduled for Friday in Ft. Lauderdale and Saturday in Orlando performance are being postponed. Replacement dates will be announced shortly.
Video from Danny’s last show with the band in Indianapolis:
We’ll miss you Danny! Rest in peace.
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