Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Listen to the Music (1972)

Because Zippi requested it.

1) The lyrics say, "What the people need is a way to make them smile." What song lifts your spirits and makes you smile every time you hear it? "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire. In November 2004, I was as blue as I've been in my life. Crying in the shower, crying behind my sunglasses (and I'm not a crier). I just couldn't shake it. The first time I smiled in days was when I was crossing the street en route to the drug store and this came through my headphones. "Ba de ah, something you remember/ba de ah, dancing in September..." It's an aural tonic.

 

--> 2) Lead vocalist/composer Tom Johnston reports that he's made a lot in royalties because so many radio stations use this as a jingle. Tell us a jingle that sticks in your head. "American Mattress! Where dreams come true." It seems there's an American Mattress on every other block these days, so that little ditty runs through my mind all the time, every time I see the sign.

3) The Doobie Brothers got their start in San Jose, California. San Jose is the largest city in Northern California, thanks to all the tech companies that have headquarters there. Let's talk about the device you're on right now: are all your applications up to date? No. Not on my laptop and not on my phone. Bad Gal!

4) When they were still a local band, the Doobie Brothers had a strong following among bikers. Are you attracted to biker culture? No. Though when I was working on the John Kerry Presidential campaign in 2004, a Vietnam vet/biker came to my aid. It was at a rally downtown. I was supposed to be inside with the other volunteers, but I got lost in the crowd. I did my best to push through, but I'm not very tall, so I wasn't having much success. I found my face literally pressed into the leather jacket of this biker dude (smelled like booze and cigarette smoke). He looked down and regarded me like a bug. 
He was a fearsome looking guy -- beard, sunglasses, all the stereotypical accoutrement. "What makes you special?" he growled at me.

"I'm a campaign worker! A volunteer! I'm supposed to be in there!" 

I guess I looked sincere and desperate, because he gave me an odd smile and then went into action. He spread his big arms through the crowd as if he was making angels in the snow, and warned everyone to get out of my way. Now.

I got to the front door, showed my credentials and literally trotted in to the auditorium. He really was my gallant prince. And I felt like a heroine -- like Cher in Mask.

5) This week's song is from Toulouse Street, which is considered their "breakthrough" album. Tell us about a moment in your own life that you consider a "breakthrough." It's personal so I'm not going into much detail. But I'd been in a very long, very toxic relationship and when I finally got out, I was more than a little apprehensive by the thought of being with another man. When I finally screwed up the courage, I was surprised by how natural, healthy, and happy it was. The Breakthrough was that love can feel safe.

6) In 1987, the Doobie Brothers did a benefit performance for Vietnam Veterans at the Hollywood Bowl. Next to the Beatles, it was the fastest-selling ticket in Hollywood Bowl history. Which group do you listen to more often -- the Doobies or the Beatles? Oh, I love those Lads from Liverpool.

7) In 1972, when this song was popular, Wranglers were America's best-selling jeans. Are you brand-loyal to one jeans manufacturer? Gloria Vanderbilt.

8) Grocery stores saw seafood prices fluctuate wildly in 1972 because of a series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic. (Iceland won.) What was the most recent seafood dish that you enjoyed? Thursday night, I grilled a salmon filet.

9) Random question: Which of these "top ten" lists would you prefer to be on -- the sexiest, the smartest or the richest? Five or ten years ago I would have said, "sexiest." But now, no question, RICHEST!