This is a Journal entry by David B - Singing Librarian Owl
A sad loss
David B - Singing Librarian Owl Started conversation Sep 14, 2004
Fred Ebb - lyricist of 'Cabaret', 'Chicago', 'New York, New York' and many other films and shows - died this last Saturday (11th September 2004). He apparently passed away peacefully in his sleep.
John Kander and Fred Ebb are my favourite songwriting team, and his loss is a very sad one. He was an extremely talented man and from what I've seen and read, he seemed to be a very nice man as well.
His legacy will live on in his wonderful songs and the positive effect he had on many of his friends, such as Liza Minnelli.
Two of his songs have particular meaning to me. First 'Meeskite' (meaning 'ugly-face') from 'Cabaret', a song I sung in a production of the show, which was warmly received by the audience. It's a fantastic 'story song' about an ugly man and his ugly wife with the charming moral that 'anyone responsible for loveliness, large or small, is not a meeskite at all'. And the second is 'Mister Cellophane' from 'Chicago', a song which is semi-true of my life anyway, but is also my party piece. Kids love it!
So please join me in a last chorus of his biggest hit:
Start spreading the news I'm leaving today
A sad loss
David B - Singing Librarian Owl Posted Sep 14, 2004
You'll know the next line...
I'm gonna be a part of it, New York, New York!
A sad loss
David B - Singing Librarian Owl Posted Sep 16, 2004
Yep. 
At least songs like that guarantee that he won't be forgotten any time soon. I have been listening to lots of John Kander and Fred Ebb's music over the past few days, and have been really struck by his wit, and his 'keep going' spirit. Several of his song lyrics seem to say 'life can really suck sometimes, but it'll get better, just hang in there'.
It's strange, I'm not normally affected by the deaths of 'celebrities', but Fred Ebb's passing really makes me sad. I guess I need to take my cue from his lyrics, really, don't I? "Sometimes it's kicks, then it's kicks in the shins. But the planet spins, and the world goes round and round..."
A sad loss
Vestboy Posted Sep 17, 2004
Sometimes these things happen at a time when it reflects some feelings we have just below the surface and the external sadness allows us to acknowledge that we are, perhaps, already feeling sad about something else.
A sad loss
David B - Singing Librarian Owl Posted Sep 17, 2004
You are wise, and probably quite right. Thanks.
A sad loss
Vestboy Posted Sep 17, 2004
I don't think we clebrate people's lives enough. I think it's great that you are enjoying the music and lyrics in a new way. I tend to go through life not remembering who wrote what or when. do you find that your job causes you to automatically make a mental note of composers and authors etc.
A sad loss
David B - Singing Librarian Owl Posted Sep 17, 2004
Yes. Sometimes I'm like a walking card index... I think it's important to give credit where it's due, and my brains seems suited to remembering that sort of thing.
A sad loss
Vestboy Posted Sep 17, 2004
I remember all sorts of trivia but there are huge gaps - mainly due to not remembering who did what when!
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A sad loss
- 1: David B - Singing Librarian Owl (Sep 14, 2004)
- 2: Scandrea (Sep 14, 2004)
- 3: David B - Singing Librarian Owl (Sep 14, 2004)
- 4: Vestboy (Sep 16, 2004)
- 5: David B - Singing Librarian Owl (Sep 16, 2004)
- 6: Vestboy (Sep 17, 2004)
- 7: David B - Singing Librarian Owl (Sep 17, 2004)
- 8: Vestboy (Sep 17, 2004)
- 9: David B - Singing Librarian Owl (Sep 17, 2004)
- 10: Vestboy (Sep 17, 2004)
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