LEWIS, RICHARD (1982–2002): Actor/writer/comedian/author who is starting his fifth year in HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and is in concert throughout the year. He and Warren shared traits, experiences, and reasons to commiserate—chief among them nightmares from the road.
LINDELL, DAVID [Lindy] (1975–1980) Ran the Dubliner bar in Sitges, Spain, where Warren played and Crystal passed the hat. Co-wrote “Roland, the Headless Thompson Gunner” and “Nighttime in the Switching Yard.”
MARINELL, LEROY [Lahmpy] (1976–1984): Started out playing guitar with Randy Sparks and the New Christie Minstrels in the 1960s. Co-wrote many Zevon hits, including “Werewolves of London” and “Excitable Boy.” Continues to play and write, mostly from his home in San Remo, Italy.
MARKS, DAVID (1967–1975): Original member of the Beach Boys. Founder of David Marks and the Marksmen. Warren’s roommate and musical counterpart during early period. Through his mother, introduced Warren to Phil Everly. Currently performing with remaining Beach Boys and on his own.
MCFADDEN, JEFF (1973): Crystal’s high school friend. He raised two daughters single-handedly and is the founder, chief cook, and bottle washer of Religious Experience Salsa in Grand Junction, Colorado.
MCFARLAND, DANIEL [Foolish Dan] (1962–2003): High school friend who remained in Warren’s life until he died. Wrote song “I Have to Leave” on My Ride’s Here. Danny died of heart failure in August 2004 shortly after his interviews for this book.
MCGUANE, THOMAS (1981–1985): Writer, rancher, fisherman, and conservationist. Thomas McGuane is the author of nine novels, a collection of short stories, and essays on sports. He co-wrote “The Overdraft” with Warren.
MONDALE, ELEANOR (1990): Daughter of Vice President Walter Mondale, journalist, actress. She and Warren were a couple in 1990.
MOORE, KATHERINE (1989): Publicist.
MUELLER, JULIA [originally—George Washington’s Pussy; later—Chicken-head] (1991–1995): Actor. Warren’s girlfriend—the one he almost married.
MULDOON, PAUL (2001–2003): Poet and professor of poetry who collaborated with Warren on two songs on My Ride’s Here. He won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Moy Sand and Gravel (2002) and is described by the Times Literary Supplement as “the most significant English-language poet born since the Second World War.”
NELSON, PAUL [Blood Brother] (1976–1982): Journalist who wrote famed Rolling Stone cover story on Warren’s first recovery from alcoholism. Paul was a friend.
NEWMAN, LARRAINE (1982): Best known as an original cast member on Saturday Night Live (1975–80), she briefly dated Warren in the ’80s.
PANN, BRITT (1980’s–2003): Warren’s account manager at Gelfand, Rennert and Feldman.
PEARSON, RIDLEY (1997–2001): Writer of thirteen highly praised thrillers. Bass player for the Rock Bottom Remainders. In 1991, he was the first American to be awarded the Raymond Chandler award.
PONDER, EDDIE (1973–1975): Recently retired special ed teacher, he has worked as a studio drummer at Hollywood Central Recorders. He has toured and recorded with Bobbie Gentry, the Smothers Brothers, Don Everly, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Spanky and Our Gang, the Dillards, Peace Seekers. He is composing for movies and completed a music performance degree. He played on Warren’s 1974 demo sessions, and toured with him on Don Everly’s first solo tour.
POWELL, BEN (1994–2003): Screenwriter. Ariel’s husband, father of Warren’s twin grandsons, Max and Gus. First met Warren when he and Ariel were students at Marlboro College in Vermont and Warren would visit.
RAITT, BONNIE (1975–2003): Nine-time Grammy winner, bestselling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, she is an institution in American music. She sang on Warren’s debut album in 1976.
RAYSTON, RYAN (1992–2003): Close friend and confidant who is a cancer survivor and also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antique dealer to the stars. An observer of Warren’s sexual proclivities, never a participant.
REINHARDT, ELMER: (1961–1986): Warren’s stepfather.
RHYS, JOHN (1974–1975): Produced pre-Asylum demos with Warren.
ROSS, STUART (1990–2002): Tour manager. Friend, confidant, business adviser.
SALVIDGE, KATY (2001–2003): Penny whistle player, fiddler, Oxford graduate. Played on “Genius,” “MacGillycuddy’s Reeks,” and “Lord Byron’s Luggage.” Warren could discuss Stravinsky and serialism with her; later they talked about mesothelioma, the disease that took both Warren and Katy’s husband.
SANTANGELO, VIOLET [aka cybelle and Laura Kenyon] (1962–1964): Met Warren at Fairfax High School. Co-wrote early songs with Warren. They formed the folk duo lyme and cybelle and recorded on White Whale Records. She eventually left rock and roll but continued to sing on Broadway.
SCHMIDT, TIMOTHY (1976–2003): Country rock icon of the ’70s, he was in two defining bands of the time, Poco and the Eagles.
SHAFFER, PAUL (1986–2003): David Letterman’s musical director and sidekick for over twenty-one years. Warren often stood in for Paul when he was on vacation or ill.
SIMMONS-ZEVON-REINHARDT, BEVERLY (1947–1996): Warren’s mother.
SLATER, ANDY (1983–1991): President and CEO of Capitol Records. Began as Warren’s manager when he worked for Frontline Management at twenty-six years of age.
SLATER, TERRY (1972–1975): Phil Everly’s best friend and producer. He hired Warren to arrange and play on Phil Everly’s album Mystic Line.
SMITH, JOE [The Chief] (1979–1981): CEO of Asylum Records at the time Warren went for his first treatment for alcoholism. He was instrumental in keeping Warren in treatment.
SNYDER, NOAH [The Kid] (2001–2003): Recording engineer/producer. He helped update Warren’s home recording studio, then became his engineer/ producer/friend. Warren regarded Noah almost like a son.
SOUTHER, JOHN DAVID (J. D.) (1973–2003): Original in the Southern California singer/songwriter collective. The handsome Texan who always got the women and around whom many legends of the time revolved. Now he’s married and settled in Tennessee.
SPRINGSTEEN, BRUCE (The Boss, of course) (1976–2003): Rock legend, winner of twelve Grammy awards and an Oscar, he was Warren’s longtime good friend and cowriter of “Jeannie Needs a Shooter.”
STANTON, HARRY DEAN (1969–1971): Prolific character actor.
STEFFL, KRISTIN (2002–2003): Air hostess for American Airlines. The last girlfriend.
STEIN, BURT [Starsky] (1976–1983): Manager with Gold Mountain Entertainment out of Nashville. Formerly in A&R with Elektra/Asylum during Warren’s time—friend, babysitter, traveling companion for Warren.
STRAVINSKY, IGOR (1960–1962): Russian/international composer who began two of the major strains of contemporary music. Among Warren’s most treasured memories were the afternoons spent in Stravinsky’s home in his young teens.
THOMPSON, HUNTER S. (1995–2003): Journalist who invented Gonzo journalism. Warren was an avid admirer of Hunter’s work and treasured their friendship. They co-wrote “You’re a Whole Different Person When You’re Scared.”
THORNTON, BILLY BOB (1995–2003): Actor. Musician. Director. Writer. Became friendly with Zevon when they lived in the same building and discovered they both had OCD. He performed backup chores and recorded Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” in his home studio for The Wind, and he sings a haunting version of the song “The Wind,” which Warren was too ill to record before he passed, on the tribute album Enjoy Every Sandwich (Artemis Records, 2005).
VENTURA, JESSE (The Body) (1998): Professional wrestler, actor, one-term mayor; in November 1998, as a member of the Reform Party, he was elected governor of Minnesota. Warren played at his inaugural ball.
VOLMAN, MARK (1965–1968): With Howard Kaylan, founded the Turtles and Flo & Eddie. Recorded several Zevon songs with the Turtles. Later, wrote scripts with George Carlin and Lily Tomlin and did other work in television. Performed music for Strawberry Shortcake and the Care Bears. Recently, resurrected touring career as
the Turtles.
WACHTEL, JIMMY (1970–2001): Art director. Founder and CEO of Dawn Patrol, Inc. Photographer, album cover designer, and friend for many years. Waddy’s brother.
WACHTEL, WADDY (1969–1999): Guitarist extraordinaire. Has played with everyone from Keith Richards to Carole King to Randy Newman to Adam Sandler. Got his first break when Warren hired him to play guitar with the Everly Brothers. They went on to co-write many songs, and Waddy co-produced three of Warren’s albums and contributed greatly to his sound.
WALECKI, FRED [Ready Freddie] (1972–2003): Owns Westwood Music. Friend to many musicians, he hosted Warren’s memorial service in his store on Westwood Boulevard and the restaurant next door.
WOLFF, MICHAEL (1996–2003): Jazz musician who suffers from Tourette’s syndrome. He and Warren spent many afternoons comparing genre fiction stories and debating music questions at Hugo’s. A good friend.
YOAKAM, DWIGHT (2000–2003): One of country music’s greatest influences. Also, an acclaimed actor. He hired Warren to play Billy Bob Thornton’s silent sidekick in the movie he wrote, produced, and directed, South of Heaven, West of Hell. A good friend.
ZEVON, ARIEL (1976–2003): Warren’s daughter by his wife, Crystal. Mother of Warren’s twin grandsons, Maximus Patrick Zevon-Powell and Augustus Warren Zevon-Powell. Actor, founding member of L.A.-based women’s theater company Toxic Shock Stage, landscape designer, graphic designer. Left L.A. for greener pastures of Vermont after Warren’s death. She took his vast library with her.
ZEVON, CRYSTAL [Wifey] (1970–2003): Writer. Alcohol and drug counselor. Lived with Warren through most of the ’70s, got married in 1974, divorced in 1981. Mother of Ariel, Nana to Max and Gus.
ZEVON, DANNY: Warren’s second cousin. Middle son of Dr. Sanford Zevon.
ZEVON, JORDAN (1969–2003): Warren’s son by Marilyn (Tule) Livingston. Musician, songwriter, keeper of Warren’s musical interests, co-producer of Enjoy Every Sandwich, the all-star tribute album of his father’s songs. Lost his mother six months after losing Warren. Married Jodi Schneider in 2004.
ZEVON, LAWRENCE: Warren’s second cousin. Youngest son of Dr. Sanford Zevon.
ZEVON, PAUL: Warren’s second cousin. Oldest son of Dr. Sanford Zevon.
ZEVON, DR. SANFORD (1947–2003): Warren’s cousin, son of the eldest Zevon brother, Murray. Cardiologist and the only doctor Warren ever trusted. Although he did not follow Sandy’s recommendations at the end, he was in continuous communication with him. Sandy and his wife Madeline were instrumental in getting Warren into alcohol and drug treatment.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
When Warren asked me to write his story I knew it wouldn’t be simple or easy, but I had no idea that the experience of resurrecting his life would profoundly change my own. Over the three years of putting together the bits and pieces of my ex and only husband’s life, I slayed a few dragons, purged countless demons, and fell in and out of love hundreds of times. There were weeks when I was sure I’d hate him forever; nights when I’d cry myself to sleep missing the sound of his voice; and many moments when I wondered how I could publicly expose what he’d asked me to expose—the Excitable Boy. But I’d made a promise to tell the whole truth—“even the awful, ugly parts.” And, after all is said and done, what matters most is that I still cry every time I look at the photo of Warren with our grandsons at the end of this book. That is the memory I will keep in my heart forever.
This book was truly a collaborative experience during which I received help, support and sustenance from varied and often unexpected sources. I made new friends and renewed bonds with old ones. I apologize in advance to those whose names I am sure to forget here.
I am honored and humbled by the eighty-seven people I interviewed for this book. Almost without exception, people were willing to share their personal, intimate, and professional experiences of Warren with me. In hours and hours of conversation, we shared tears and laughter, unresolved resentments and anger, love and compassion, questions and suppositions. This is what Warren wanted. You are the keepers of his music and his legacy.
I will be forever indebted to my agent, Marian Young, who taught me to walk over burning coals with dignity and to keep smiling. Marian’s husband, T. R. Pearson, a great novelist and screenwriter, took time away from his own work to review and masterfully edit the manuscript. Without Tom and Marian I could never have brought this home. Thanks to my screenwriting agent, Lucy Stille, for putting us together.
To everyone at Ecco, thank you for sticking by the project and me. Daniel Halpern and David Hirshey shared the vision and stuck with it when others might have given up. Abigail Holstein appeared like a miracle to do a respectful and conscientious final review, and then shepherd the book to completion. Thanks also to Rachel Elinsky, Tina Andreadis, Jennifer Hart, Carrie Kania, Allison Saltzman, and Millicent Bennett.
I want to pay my respects to those who stand namelessly in the shadow of artists, entertainers and headliners—the assistants, PAs, executive producers, managers, WZBBers, and friends. They rearranged schedules to get me access to their bosses, they dug through archives and sent me videos, CDs and DVDs, saving me months of research. To name a few: Kristin Scott, Kristin Alexander, KT Lowe, Charlene Komar Storey, Lucy Pfeffa, Gary A. Cotugno, Brandi Whitmore, Jude Brennan, Dan Fetter, and Jane Findlay. I am in your debt.
My sister, Caren Von Gontard, is the only person who read every word I wrote (from the first 720-page manuscript on). She was my first editor and continues to be my best publicist and most loyal friend. Besides writing the heartfelt introduction for the book, Carl Hiaasen suffered through the manuscript in several incarnations and was always available to share his own experience and expertise as a writer, journalist and Warren’s friend. Ryan Rayston read pages while I slept on her couch, waking me with assurances that gave me the will to keep moving forward. I relentlessly pestered Danny Goldberg, Jon Landau, and Dave Marsh with emails, phone calls and picayune requests; they invariably responded and assured me of the merit of what I was doing.
To the Zevon cousins, especially Sandy and Madeline, Paul, Danny and Hollie and Lawrence and Jennifer, one of the highlights of this experience has been the merging of the Zevon clan, family camaraderie on The Cape and sharing stories of generations past.
Thank you and condolences to the family of Warren’s oldest friend, Danny McFarland, who passed away shortly after Warren.
This book could not be complete without paying tribute to several interviews I never got, but should have:
Hunter S. Thompson and I spoke a couple times, but he was always “on deadline,” promising we’d do a long interview—just not today. I have no doubt Hunter and Warren are yucking it up on some shooting range in the land of ever after.
The illusive journalist, Paul Nelson, author of the Rolling Stone cover story on Warren’s battle with alcoholism, a dear friend and one of the first rock critics to support Warren’s music, never returned my calls. When I learned he died recently, alone in his New York apartment, I understood why. Wherever they are now, I imagine Paul finishing his screenplay while Warren writes the coda to his symphony—of course, Lew Archer is there, cheering them on.
The legendary Everly Brothers gave Warren his start; they let him play his songs on their stage. Phil shared his home with us when we didn’t have one, and Don took me along on his first solo tour as a wedding gift, which cost the band a roadie. What Warren learned from his tenure with Don and Phil Everly influenced the landscape of his songs. I went relentlessly in pursuit of them, but never connected. Their voices are missing.
Finally, there’s Bob Dylan, whom Warren (and I) revered above all others. After Warren’s diagnosis, the fact that Dylan performed his songs live was bigger than any dream-come-true. I apologize to the readers and to Dylan for not really trying to reach him. He is an icon, and try as I might, I couldn’t come up with a single question to ask him…I guess I was just scared.
I am blessed with an extraordinary group of friends who have be
en there for me through several lifetimes of changes. They were always available, offering physical shelter, emotional refuge, and a way to laugh at myself when it got too serious. My eternal thanks and love to Sasha Bass, Sissy Boyd, Lolly Gallup and Simon Miles, Lallie Pratt, Bill Higgins, Jeff Cohen, Hollie Ainbinder, Jackson Browne, Dianna Cohen, Donald Miller and Cree Clover, Jorge and Yvonne Calderon, Jimmy Wachtel, Tere Clarkson and Sheila Jaffe. And, in Paris, Emma O’Reilly and Adrian Smith, Helen Bank, the Goix Family and Linda Moore.
I owe the life I have today to Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob and my Teacher, S.N. Goenka.
Finally, my life’s blood, my heartbeat, my raisôn d’etre—my family. Without you, I am nothing.
My parents, Clifford and Barbara Brelsford, have never wavered in their unconditional love and support of me, even when my life took twists and turns they didn’t understand. They are my foundation and still give me a place to come home to. Mom and Dad, I love you.
My stepson, Jordan, lost his mother a short six months after Warren’s death. His willingness and courage in talking to me about intimate, sad, and joyful moments was more heartening than I can describe. I know what it cost, and I am grateful.
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