I told him I didn’t think I knew what the truth was. He laughed in that old sardonic way that I hadn’t heard for a while, and he said, “Oh, you’ll find out.”
There was a long pause while he struggled to catch his breath, then he said, “When it gets hard, old girl, just remember, we’ll always have Spain.” That was the last time we talked.
JACKSON BROWNE: Warren has been a really huge feature of the musical landscape of my life for thirty years. He was always the writer who said the things I wish I said, the things I wish I could say. He was an independent thinker. I never saw him dumb himself down or simplify what he had to say so more people would recognize him.
CARL HIAASEN: Warren was a genius in the truest sense. And in that sense, troubled. Geniuses, you know, are, and Warren wasn’t ever going to have a “quiet normal life.” But, if you looked at it in the context of this immense talent, this unbelievably prodigious talent Warren had…and knowing something of historical geniuses as well…I never expected him to be hanging out at the golf course every day. I mean it just wouldn’t have been him.
BILLY BOB THORNTON: Warren is a mad magical poet. It’s astounding to me when I hear someone say they don’t know Warren’s music. For those of us who do, it’s our duty to spread the gospel according to Warren.
JORGE CALDERON: Warren Zevon traveled down his own road, and it’s unpaved.
WHO’S WHO
(Years in parentheses indicate the years each person was in Warren’s life.) [Names in brackets are the names Warren gave them.]
AGUILAR-RAMOS, ANNETTE [Baby] (1988–1994): Girlfriend. Witch. Sober traveller. “El Amor De Mi Vida” was written for her. She’s now a wife, mother of a seven-year-old daughter, Aurora, and she lives in upstate New York and works with children.
ALBOM, MITCH (1998–2003): Author, sports columnist, and radio host, keyboard player in the Rock Bottom Remainders. For Warren, he was the keeper of the spiritual axiom on death–even though after asking all the right questions, Warren walked offstage to his own drumbeat.
ALDRIDGE, DUNCAN [Dr. Babyhead] (1985–1997): Warren’s left hand for more years than anyone else, including any woman or wife. When he finally left, he returned to working with jazz musicians, where he is most at home.
ASHER, PETER (1991–1996): Half of Peter and Gordon (sometimes referred to as “The English Everly Brothers”). Went on to produce and manage notables such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, J. D. Souther, Bonnie Raitt, Andrew Gold, Cher, 10,000 Maniacs, Neil Diamond, Kenny Loggins, Robin Williams, the Dixie Chicks. He managed Warren through the early ’90s…Warren’s career was on a downhill slide and Peter stood by him.
ASTOR, BART [Barty] (1970–1980): Crystal’s foster son.
ASTOR, ROXANNE (Cindy) (1970–1980): Crystal’s foster daughter.
AZOFF, IRVING [King of the Shit Handlers] (1978–2003): Warren’s quasi-manager on and off for many years. The day-to-day management was handled by various “others” under Azoff’s tutelage.
BABITZ, EVE (1986–1996): Author of five critically acclaimed books. She helped Warren through his early sobriety, and was his girlfriend for a while.
BARIGIAN, WARREN (1972–1974): Vocal coach.
BARR, BRIGETTE [Shit Handler] (2002–2003): Artist manager. Worked for Irving Azoff and was Warren’s manager through the recording and promotion of The Wind.
BARRY, DAVE (1997–2003): 1988 Pulitzer Prize–winning writer, former Miami Herald humor columnist (whose column appeared in over five hundred newspapers), author of twenty-five books, lead guitarist in the Rock Bottom Remainders, and Warren’s friend and fan. While many were sentimental, Dave was the only person who actually cried while being interviewed for this book. A very funny guy who genuinely cares.
BERLIN, BARBARA ZEVON:Warren’s cousin.
BONOFF, KARLA: (1976–1997) Singer/songwriter. Friend for many years. Girlfriend for a short time sometime in the late ’90s.
BOYCE, GLORIA [Glo] (1990–1996): Warren’s personal manager when he was with Peter Asher Management.
BRELSFORD, BARBARA [Mother-in-law] (1970–1980): Retired R.N. Crystal’s mother, who now lives with Cliff in Sun City, Arizona. Warren referred to her as “a real mother—the kind everybody’s supposed to have.”
BRELSFORD, CLIFFORD D. [Father-in-law] (1970–1980): Retired businessman. Crystal’s father. Former owner of the Glory Hole Motel and the Aspen Insurance Agency in Aspen, Colorado. A trumpet player who still plays in five bands at eighty-three years of age.
BROWNE, JACKSON [Kahlil Gi-Browne] (1968–2003): Major influence on Southern California singer/songwriter sound. Responsible for getting Warren his first major recording contract with Elektra/Asylum Records, and his last major contract with Artemis Records. Not knowing how to thank or repay Jackson, Warren named him Ariel’s godfather. Jackson has always been an outspoken proponent of human, civil, and environmental rights. To his friends, Warren chief among them, he continues to be a generous and humble champion of their work and integrity.
BUCKINGHAM, LINDSEY (1974–1979): Member of Fleetwood Mac. Shortly before he joined Fleetwood Mac, Warren hired Lindsey to play rhythm guitar on Don Everly’s first solo tour.
BURKE, CLAUDIA (1976–1978): She was Howard’s assistant when he managed Warren. They married, and now have two children.
BURKE, HOWARD [The Sergeant] (1976–1978): Before he was Warren’s road manager, then manager, he was a roadie for Don Henley, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughn, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne. He now manages Little Feat.
BURNETT, T-BONE (1973–2003): Winner of the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, at the 44th annual Grammy Awards (2002). He won for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) soundtrack, its companion album Down from the Mountain, and wife Sam Phillips’ album Fan Dance. Was a member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review in 1975. Co-wrote “Bed of Coals” with Warren. They also spent many all-nighters playing chess in the mid-1970s.
CALDERON, JORGE [Klook Mop/Klooky] (1974–2003): Co-wrote eighteen songs with Warren—more than any other writer. Close and trusted friend who co-produced The Wind and Enjoy Every Sandwich. The guy who finished Warren’s sentences (and vice versa). Married to Yvonne.
CALDERON, YVONNE (1976–2003): Jorge’s wife. Yvonne was formerly the wife of Kenny Rankin, with whom she had three children, one of whom, Chris Rankin, did a stint as Warren’s roadie. Yvonne suffers from a rare kidney disease and is on dialysis several times a week. Warren, Jackson, and friends gave two benefit concerts for Yvonne, who never got her transplant but continues to work for and educate people about the benefits of organ donorship. One of the wisest and most spiritual people on the planet, she is always the first to offer solace to others in need.
CARTSONIS, MATT [Pupfish] (2001–2003): Lives in Santa Monica, California, and divides his time more or less evenly between record production, movie scoring, music editing and engineering, playing his own gigs, and trying to learn to play well with others. He is a devoted amateur cetologist, but doesn’t particularly enjoy long walks on the beach. Almost a psychologist, so Warren treated him like one. Played with Warren on his very last gigs.
CODY, PHIL (1995–1998): Musician. Opened for Warren and became part of the act.
COHEN, JEROME [Uncle Jer] (1972–1977): Warren’s attorney and, briefly, his manager.
COHEN, MICKEY: Famous gangster. Close friend and partner of Warren’s father, Stumpy, who was best man at his wedding in the 1950s in Arizona.
COHEN, STEVE [Senator Steve] (1993–2003): United States senator from Tennessee. The apolitical Warren campaigned for him, causing Steve to believe that Warren was a Democrat. In 2006 he was elected to U.S. Congress.
COWSILL, BILLY [Bonkers Billy] (1970–1975): Lead singer and songwriter for the Cowsills.
CRAFT, ROBERT (1960–1962): A mentor to Warren in his early teen years, Craft has conducted most of the world’s major orchestras in the U.S. He has recorded a ten-volume discography of the music of Igor Stravinsky. He introduced Warren t
o Stravinsky and invited him to Stravinsky’s home on several occasions.
CRAWFORD, KIT [Cantankerous Chris] (1963–1968): Scriptwriter. High school friend and intellectual companion who moved to Los Angeles with Warren and acted as band manager. Ardent political activist.
CROCKER, GLENN (1964–1967): Piano player in Warren’s first band. Lived with Warren and Stumpy in L.A. Founded a music school in Southern California.
CROSBY, DAVID (1969–2003): A music legend in his own right, he is a founding member of two seminal rock bands of the ’60s, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. In addition to his solo work and work with CSN, David now plays with his son in CPR. His daughter, Donovan, and Warren’s daughter, Ariel, have been friends since childhood.
CRUMLEY, JAMES (1989): A novelist of the hard-boiled genre. He lives in Montana, where Warren met him while on tour.
DETERDING, ERIC (1976–1979): He works in the construction industry doing custom bath and kitchen remodels, is a sport fisherman, and is building a new home in Central California. He has fond memories of his life on the road, where he gave the title “roadie” meaning.
DRAPER, POLLY (1996–2003): Actress, writer, producer, director. Married to Michael Wolff.
EDLUND, RICHARD [Dark Room Dick] (1965–1975): Warren’s friend and photographer, in the pre-Asylum period. Invented Pignose amplifier. Winner of four Oscars for special effects, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Currently has own FX company in Santa Monica—Cinenet.
EVERLY, DON (1969–1975): Of the Everly Brothers. A voice that laid the bedrock for rock and roll. He taught Warren the ropes on the road. Off the road, Warren was a regular at Don’s Sunday afternoon gatherings at his apartment at the Sunset Towers. He introduced Warren to his friends (Harrison Ford, Barry Farrell, Bobby Neuwirth, Billy Al Bengston, etc. etc. etc.) and taught him all about barbeque and chili.
EVERLY, PHIL (1969–1975): Of the Everly Brothers. He hired Warren to be the band leader of the Everly Brothers and musical director and arranger on his TV show and his solo albums. When the chips were down, Phil gave Warren and Crystal shelter from the storm.
FOWLEY, KIM [Master of Grease and Hype] (1968–1970): Self-appointed “Mayor of Sunset Strip” (pre-Rodney Bingenheimer) and wrote “Wanted: Dead or Alive” and oversaw recording. Kim is still recording and hosting rock parties and shows from the Inland Empire.
GEFFEN, DAVID (1972–1980): Entertainment industry mogul who founded Asylum Records, where Warren recorded his early albums.
GELLER, ARNIE (1970–1975): Waddy, Crystal, and numerous others lived at Arnie’s house during the ’60s and ’70s. Many more just hung out. Arnie owned the Radiant Radish health food store with Brian Wilson, and he was best man at Warren and Crystal’s Las Vegas wedding.
GETTY, MARTINE (1977–1978): Wife of J. Paul Getty III, mother of Balthazar Getty, the German-born actress Gisela Martine married J. Paul after his famous kidnapping by the Italian Red Brigades, from which he returned home minus an ear because his family balked at paying the $3.2 million ransom. After they finally paid one million dollars and Paul was released.
GINSBERG, MERLE (1986–1988): Presently, a contributing writer for Harper’s Bazaar, Ladies’ Home Journal, Marie Claire, People, and has written for W, Women’s Wear Daily, Rolling Stone, MTV, the NME, the New York Times Magazine, In Style, Elle Décor, and other magazines. She’s also a television commentator on fashion, and the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Confessions of an Heiress. Merle was Warren’s girlfriend at the time he got sober.
GOLD, DEBBIE (1980s): Music supervisor, people connector.
GOLDBERG, DANNY (1999–2003): Chairman and CEO of Artemis Records, and also one of the most socially active music executives in the business. He co-produced and co-directed the famous No Nukes rock documentary in 1980. Zevon was one of the first artists signed to Artemis, an indie label geared toward maintenance of artistic integrity over corporate interests.
GOLDEN, STAN [Dr. Stan] (1989–2003): Warren’s dentist, friend, and confidant.
GOLDMARK, KATHI (1997–2000): Publicist/producer. She founded the Rock Bottom Remainders.
GRUEL, GEORGE [Big George] (1978–1983): Warren’s aide-de-camp through some of the most difficult years. Now a graphic artist and photographer in upstate New York.
GUNNELS, GENE [Gene-o] (1970–1974): Drummer for the Everly Brothers during Warren’s tenure. Now lives with his wife in Las Vegas.
HAMMERMAN, MARK (1975–1977): “I am retired, living the life of a senior citizen here in the California desert. I work as a volunteer at two libraries. I am an ‘artist husband’ assisting my wife, Lydia, as a ceramic artist. Life is good.” Warren’s manager during the early Asylum days. He also managed Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.
HARPER, WILLIAM (1982–2003): Partner at Gelfand, Rennert and Feldman, Bill was Warren’s long-time business manager.
HAYWOOD, DOUG (1976–1978): Bassist and vocalist for Warren, Jackson Browne, and others.
HENLEY, DON (1970–2003): Rock legend, drummer/singer/writer with the Eagles, Henley also founded the Walden Woods Project, which has gone on to become one of the most successful preservation/education endeavors in America (www.walden.org). Warren’s relationship with Don was strange. When discussing whether or not he wanted a funeral, Warren said, “I just don’t want to have to spend my last days wondering if Henley will show up.” Henley didn’t, but Timothy Schmidt did.
HIAASEN, CARL (1991–2003): Best-selling author. Fisherman. Father. One of Warren’s most trusted and treasured friends, and probably the only person who could have convinced him to visit the place where scorpions and centipedes run wild.
HINSCHE, BILLY (1976–2000): “I’m still a musician. I work with Al Jardine doing Beach Boy shows, and I work with Dean Martin’s youngest son, Ricci, and we do a tribute to his dad, and it’s really a great show, so I’m either wearing a Hawaiian shirt or a tuxedo.”
HOLT, JENNIFER [The Professor or The Nutty Professor] (2000–2003): Girlfriend. Professor at the University of Southern California. She completed her dissertation the day Warren died.
HOWE, BONES (1964–1969): Executive-produced Warren’s first two albums, Wanted: Dead or Alive and Emblem for the Devil. Produced the Turtles, the Association, the 5th Dimension, Tom Waits, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley. Recipient of more than twenty gold and platinum albums, winner of 1977 Grammy for “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In.” Moved on to become music supervisor for films. Lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, novelist Melodie Johnson Howe.
ISHAM, MARK (late 1980s): A pioneer of electronic music in the ’80s, an accomplished trumpet player, and a world-renowned film composer who has won a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Clio. He continues to be a prolific and provocative artist.
JAFFY, SUSAN [Disney Girl] (1997–2003): Worked for Disney. Girlfriend. The one he brought to family affairs, even after they weren’t dating anymore.
KAYLAN, HOWARD (1965–1968): With Mark Volman, founded the Turtles and Flo & Eddie. Recorded several Zevon songs with the Turtles and took lots of acid with Warren. Later, wrote scripts with George Carlin and Lily Tomlin and Rockover BC and did other work in television. Performed music for Strawberry Shortcake and the Care Bears. Recently, resurrected touring career as the Turtles.
KEITH, DAVID (1995–2000): Actor, producer, director, composer, own stuntman, from Knoxville, Tennessee.
KELLERMAN, FAYE (1995–2003): Bestselling author of twenty crime novels and an anthology of short stories.
KELLERMAN, JESSE (1997–2003): Born in Los Angeles in 1978, Jesse most recently received the Princess Grace Award, given to the country’s most promising young playwright. His first novel, Sunstroke, was published in January 2006.
KELLERMAN, JONATHAN (1995–2003): Psychologist, medical school professor, and the author of two dozen bestselling crime novels, three volumes on psychology, and two children’s books that he wrote and illustrated.
KING, STEPHEN (1998–2003): Acclaimed
writer of too many books, short stories, essays, and screenplays to count. Recipient of too many awards to count. Founding member of the writers’ band the Rock Bottom Remainders. He was Warren’s friend with whom he shared a love of reading, writing, and music.
KRUZIC, PAT HETSLER (1954–1966): Grade school playmate of Warren’s. They played “Perry Mason” together.
LANDAU, DAVID (1977–1984): ABC Radio New York producer. Guitarist for Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon in the 1970s and ’80s. Jon Landau’s brother.
LANDAU, JON [Chairman of the Board] (1976–1983): Music manager (Bruce Springsteen, Train, Natalie Merchant), record producer.
LANKFORD, KIM (1980–1982): Actress—regular on Knots Landing when she started going out with Warren. Horse trainer. Warren’s girlfriend when he left Crystal—one of the ballerinas on Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School. Kim now has a ranch in Colorado and works with horses.
LETTERMAN, DAVID (1988–2003): Of Dave Letterman, Warren said, “Dave’s the best friend my music ever had.” On October 30, 2002, after hearing of Warren’s terminal diagnosis, Letterman devoted his entire show to Warren.
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