This Day in History: A Psychedelic Warrior Was Born Today

Gary and Summer in Palo Alto in 1976!
Last night was all about the quality of the audience and not the quantity--it was the HIGHEST quality. I had such a good time last night at Micky's Blue Room. It was a long walk through the wonder that is the East Village. Why do I feel like a somebody when I am walking down the street with my guitar? It's true--a good reminder for me. I felt more myself as I made my way down the cold streets, lugging my heavy case and taking in the beautiful nightlife of this city.

Today is the birthday of my friend and record label colleague Coppelia--she turns 30! Welcome to the fold, I say! I think the 30's kick ass personally. The 20's THINK they have it going on, but the real secret is that the thirties is when you GET IT going on.

It is ALSO the birthday of my stepdad Gary. Gary has been in my life since we were both half naked babes on a commune in 1974. Difference was, I was a toddler and he was a young man who had already lived a lifetime of experiences, including (but not exclusive to) dodging the draft, actively protesting the war while on the lamb, and then doing time for not going to Vietnam.

I could tell you some very catchy things about him like how he went to high school in Connecticut and as a result got to hear Robert Kennedy speak, and visit the Andy Warhol factory as a field trip. Or, during his protest days and being on the lamb, he called himself a psychedelic warrior! Such descriptions lit up my imagination like a firework display on the fourth of July!

Gary is one of the most passionate people I'll ever meet. When he has an opinion IT WILL NOT BEND. He's not afraid to cry during movies, and I got to say, I like that in a guy. I love it that he calls me up to say, "Have you heard the new Madonna album? It's supposedly great--she's back to her pop roots."

His amazing life experiences could fill a book, and hearing about them as I grew up is one of the reasons I wanted to become a writer. I think all of us think on some level or at one point that unless we are "successful" or "famous" our lives don't mean nearly as much to the world. I can say with all honesty that Gary's life has made an impression on me--and he is ALREADY a living legend.

Happy BIRTHDAY Gary, our very own Psychedelic Warrior.