Died On This Date (September 7, 2003) Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon
January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003

Warren Zevon was one of rock’s greatest songwriters.  He could write a better song title than most can write full songs.  He first gained prominence as part of the same ’70s Los Angeles rock community that spawned the Eagles, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt, Zevon crafted songs that were beautifully ironic and at times, darkly humorous.  He was, as the saying goes, a songwriter’s songwriter.  Over the years he gave us such classic tunes as “Send Lawyers, Guns and Money,” “Werewolves Of London,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Hasten Down The Wind,” and “Carmelita.”  Throughout most of the ’80s and ’90s, Zevon could be seen from time to time filling in for Paul Shaffer on Late Night With David Letterman.  In 2002, Zevon was diagnosed with a cancer that has been linked to asbestos.  Instead of seeking traditional treatment, Zevon set out to create his final masterpiece, The Wind.  The album featured a list of friends paying him back for the impact he had had on them.  That list included Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris and more.  A brilliant VH-1 documentary was made of the sessions.  October 30, 2002, David Letterman paid an unprecedented gesture to Zevon by devoting that entire one-hour show to his dear friend.  Warren Zevon died on September 7, 2003, just 12 days after the release of The Wind which went on to be certified gold and earn five Grammy nominations, winning two.

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