TODAY I RECEIVED THE GREATEST E-MAIL ANYONE EVER SENT ME: Subject: I'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Subject: I'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Dear Mister Dinizio,
I'd call you Pat, but I was raised to have good manners.
I have a complaint that I need to express to you.
Okay, here it goes: why the bloody hell isn't your name on Hollywood Boulevard with a damned star next to it!!??
I mean what's wrong the music industry?
In my own humble opinion, The Smithereens are the best damned rock group I have ever heard.
Jesus knows that I don't smooze or kiss up.
That is not my bag.
But I'm 45 years old this month and as God almighty is my living witness, you and your band have more talent in one guitar string than most 'wanna be' rockers have in a years worth of concerts.
Perhaps some get by on the strength of a name or a gimmick. I have loved Duran Duran for the past 27 years.
And I'd always take debates, arguments, friendly abuse in saying that they were the best I'd ever heard.
Well, many years ago a young lady that I used to work with at Barnes and Noble (when people actually still read books) comes to me and says "Hey, you like Duran Duran so much and that's cool, but have you ever heard the Smitereens?"
Well, no, I hadn't, or if I did I didn't realize it.
And that's what my complaint is about.
30 years you guys have busted your tails.
30 years and my God, you guys are still kicking ass from one end of the country to the other.
I have heard them all, the names you can already figure for yourself.
But I swear, you are the best lead vocalist in a band that I have ever heard.
Ego trip all you want, man, you earned it.
You're an incredibly talented artist.
Jim makes sounds on that instrument of his that are not of this earth and Dennis looks more like a stock broker than a rock and roll drummer but damn!!!
Can he beat those skins.
I see that as time has gone you have replaced Mike as your thunder guy.
Well, it looks to me like the Manilla Thrilla fills that spot very well.
Look, sorry for the long, drawn out letter, but you have to understand that somehow, some way, The Smithereens were "always" there, but less promoted..less well known..less..I dunno what.
And it's ironic because you guys were always "more" than the same B.S. that was out there.
I was on a bus ride to Maine six years ago and I was listening to my walkman.
I kept that thing until just two years ago because I'm a dinosaur and just couldn't bring myself to part with it.
Well, as I'm going from state to state the radio frequency is changing.
The next thing I knew this incredible song is playing and I'm doing all I can to get it to come in clearer.
Man, I was dazed by this song.
Who the hell is this??
I was hoping the DJ would be professional enough to say all the song information after it had finished.
And he did. When I got back to my own home town of NYC I went to Virgin Music World (may it rest in peace) and picked up a copy of "11".
Man, I played "A Girl Like You" until my wife wanted a divorce.
Never heard anything like it..until I head "A Room Without View".
Jesus Christ, what a song.
Whether you're performing it live or I'm listening to it on CD.
Look, you guys are what rock is supposed to be about.
Real singing.
Real musicians.
Songs that go into a person's heart and reside there forever.
I see that you are going to have an album out this year sometime.
Maybe you can let me know when.
I will actually go to a real, live record store and buy one from a real, live sales person.
Man, I hate this downloading music crap.
Like I said before, I'm a dinosaur.
Hey, be well, Pat.
And God bless you in health, happiness and all the things that make life good.
Best regards,
Tony A. |
