Recently, I was saddened to learn that Richie Havens
passed away...
I was too young to go to Woodstock,
but not to appreciate the great music, that was happening !
I remember being so moved,
hearing Richie singing and playing :
"Free - dom, Free - dom, Free - dom, Free - dom
Free - dom, Free - dom, Free - dom, Free - dom...
Some - Times - I - Feel - Like - A - Motherless - Child ..."
I saw him in concert, in upstate NY, in my college days.
He was on the bill with another genius of guitar and vocals, George Benson.
I was so moved by both performances,
I vowed one day I would meet them both.
I remember Richie had to take breaks onstage,
to re-string his broken guitar strings, such was his passion...
He was a one-man, gentle storm!
Later, I had a chance to meet Richie in Los Angeles,
in the early 80's...
We were all sitting together at a cafe on Sunset Boulevard; John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Richie Havens, and me...
I remember how pleasant it felt to be in such company at that time...
His eyes held tranquility, his elegant hands were laden with beautiful silver rings,
and his voice felt as soothing as lying on moss, on a warm, Summer day...
But just as it is written:
“Eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”
Photo: Michio Yves Ueda
