MY DAD and WHITNEY (Part Deux)
The caption on my Dad’s Pic reads…
“For nearly 20 years manufactured millions of albums and singles for us. While producing more memos*
than anyone could possible read. It was that kind of fierce dedication and everlasting love for his work and his company that we will never forget – With Love from your Arista Family”
*(note:memos were business notes people sent in the days before email....lol)
This little blurb speaks directly to my sentiments today. My father had not worked at Arista for 2O years when he passed in ’97 - he worked at Sony. Yet, it his Arista family still gave him this tribute……
In the recent light of Hoffmans passing and the anniversary of losing Whitney - that’s the crux of this little missive - honoring people and their memory
My dad was a record exec, in the 'old skool' heyday of the 80's & 90's. He was a Senior VP at Arista Records for almost 20 years.
I knew my dad had a really cool job, but it didn't seem so special to me because being in the midst of the music industry, going to concerts, meeting 'stars,' & sometimes having them call the house, etc was kinda familiar to me.
The Best Part, was that music created such a strong bond between dad and me. The anniversary of Whitney's passing has brought a lot of memories back, as well as some of the special things my dad taught me.
“For nearly 20 years manufactured millions of albums and singles for us. While producing more memos*
*(note:memos were business notes people sent in the days before email....lol)
This little blurb speaks directly to my sentiments today. My father had not worked at Arista for 2O years when he passed in ’97 - he worked at Sony. Yet, it his Arista family still gave him this tribute……
In the recent light of Hoffmans passing and the anniversary of losing Whitney - that’s the crux of this little missive - honoring people and their memory
My dad was a record exec, in the 'old skool' heyday of the 80's & 90's. He was a Senior VP at Arista Records for almost 20 years.
I knew my dad had a really cool job, but it didn't seem so special to me because being in the midst of the music industry, going to concerts, meeting 'stars,' & sometimes having them call the house, etc was kinda familiar to me.
The Best Part, was that music created such a strong bond between dad and me. The anniversary of Whitney's passing has brought a lot of memories back, as well as some of the special things my dad taught me.
- Stand by and support the people you love
- Eventually in life, we all learn who our real friends are by counting those who stand beside us when the chips are down
- Show respect and to treat all people with kindness.
In my mind, press speculation equals the opposite of those 3 things…..
* Too often we are quick to judge others, especially stars, (like it's any of our business?) When we judge people by the mistakes they make, this shows a lack of support for the people we love.
* When someone is a "Star," people invest in their radiance, they want to absorb the light that they give off. Even ‘Stars’ have bad days. We fail to recognize that no one prepares a mega-star to deal with an international level of publicity. If we admire someone shouldn’t we stand by them like we would our friends when they are in a rough patch?
* When we truly love or admire someone, we love them for who they are and cherish the beauty that they bring to our world. It's important to remember to love all of them and not trash them because of things we perceive as character flaws - that's not love, that's disrespect.
Perhaps confusion comes from anger and sorrow about losing one of most glorious voices & also actors of our generation. We wonder how it is possible that a Brilliant talent left us so quickly and we wonder why, it's not fair, we want their magic, back . It's Ok to be sad, It's Ok to be angry. Pull up your iTunes or Your Netflix and bless the art they gave us.
Here's what I remember about Whitney…
My dad described Whitney as a shy sweet 'kid.' He referred to her as a 'kid' and was often concerned because she was so talented and professionally so much happened for her so quickly. He was extremely distressed about her marriage to Bobby Brown and didn't want to go to the wedding. Although, both of my parents went – see the note above about supporting your friends :)
A voice that makes me awestruck, the beauty of it inspires me.
A woman who at a Grammy after-party hung towards the outskirts of the room because she was shy. She was a mega-star who actually took a few minutes to talk to a little kid (me!) on the evening she Opened the Grammy Awards. Also, she was someone my dad cared about & that makes her special too.
I recall the pictures of the Classic beautiful Whitney of 'Saving all my Love for You," the perky innocence of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody, "the sexy diva of "I'm Your Baby Tonight," a sparkling rendition of "Star-Spangled Banner," & "One Moment in Time," the warmth of "Waiting To Exhale" & of course the glorious (6 times platinum- one of the highest grossing records of all time) Bodyguard Soundtrack.
Who do you choose to remember?
Whitney's voice & Seymour’s acting made and created so much light & blessed so many people. Let's remember that piece and ignore the paparazzi.
Turn off your TV and Let falling stars shine In Peace. Honor their memory by sharing their brilliant music & movies and remembering to cherish those you love.
Sir Paul sang it Best at the closing of the Grammy's in 2012… "In the End, The Love You Take is Equal to The Love You Make"
Don't forget that The Music and Art that people share are a GIFT, not an Entitlement.
Hugs, Love, Light and Many Blessings
Meredith
* Too often we are quick to judge others, especially stars, (like it's any of our business?) When we judge people by the mistakes they make, this shows a lack of support for the people we love.
* When someone is a "Star," people invest in their radiance, they want to absorb the light that they give off. Even ‘Stars’ have bad days. We fail to recognize that no one prepares a mega-star to deal with an international level of publicity. If we admire someone shouldn’t we stand by them like we would our friends when they are in a rough patch?
* When we truly love or admire someone, we love them for who they are and cherish the beauty that they bring to our world. It's important to remember to love all of them and not trash them because of things we perceive as character flaws - that's not love, that's disrespect.
Perhaps confusion comes from anger and sorrow about losing one of most glorious voices & also actors of our generation. We wonder how it is possible that a Brilliant talent left us so quickly and we wonder why, it's not fair, we want their magic, back . It's Ok to be sad, It's Ok to be angry. Pull up your iTunes or Your Netflix and bless the art they gave us.
Here's what I remember about Whitney…
My dad described Whitney as a shy sweet 'kid.' He referred to her as a 'kid' and was often concerned because she was so talented and professionally so much happened for her so quickly. He was extremely distressed about her marriage to Bobby Brown and didn't want to go to the wedding. Although, both of my parents went – see the note above about supporting your friends :)
A voice that makes me awestruck, the beauty of it inspires me.
A woman who at a Grammy after-party hung towards the outskirts of the room because she was shy. She was a mega-star who actually took a few minutes to talk to a little kid (me!) on the evening she Opened the Grammy Awards. Also, she was someone my dad cared about & that makes her special too.
I recall the pictures of the Classic beautiful Whitney of 'Saving all my Love for You," the perky innocence of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody, "the sexy diva of "I'm Your Baby Tonight," a sparkling rendition of "Star-Spangled Banner," & "One Moment in Time," the warmth of "Waiting To Exhale" & of course the glorious (6 times platinum- one of the highest grossing records of all time) Bodyguard Soundtrack.
Who do you choose to remember?
Whitney's voice & Seymour’s acting made and created so much light & blessed so many people. Let's remember that piece and ignore the paparazzi.
Turn off your TV and Let falling stars shine In Peace. Honor their memory by sharing their brilliant music & movies and remembering to cherish those you love.
Sir Paul sang it Best at the closing of the Grammy's in 2012… "In the End, The Love You Take is Equal to The Love You Make"
Don't forget that The Music and Art that people share are a GIFT, not an Entitlement.
Hugs, Love, Light and Many Blessings
Meredith
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