When I lived in Portland, many years ago, I saw Wanda Jackson, on a tour where she was singing with pickup bands at each stop, usually a local act that was probably also the opening band, if I recall correctly. Anyway, the whole show was arranged by Miss Meghan, a DJ that I worked with back then, and she and her friend were the “between act DJs,” and I was there to help wrangle the gear, or something. (I might have just gotten on the list and showed up. It’s hard to remember precisely, as I got to do a lot of both when I lived in Portland and worked for KPSU.)
Anyway, Wanda was amazing, and it was a fun night of drinks and flirting and great music and rock and roll that was always my goal, most nights, back then. One of those nights that you don’t get to engage in, very much, anymore, for a lot of reasons, many practical, others… less so.
But, I know that any day now, I will be sad that she has passed, and I will get to remember that night again, then.
And, it’s also Friday, so: maybe we should just have a party in honor of someone truly great, and celebrate someone I like before they have passed.
Austin Rich 