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I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon Paperback – Illustrated, May 6, 2008
Purchase options and add-ons
When Warren Zevon died in 2003, he left behind a rich catalog of dark, witty rock 'n' roll classics, including "Lawyers, Guns and Money," "Excitable Boy," and the immortal "Werewolves of London." He also left behind a fanatical cult following and veritable rock opera of drugs, women, celebrity, genius, and epic bad behavior. As Warren once said, "I got to be Jim Morrison a lot longer than he did."
Narrated by his former wife and longtime co-conspirator, Crystal Zevon, this intimate and unusual oral history draws on interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, Bonnie Raitt, and numerous others who fell under Warren's mischievous spell. Told in the words and images of the friends, lovers, and legends who knew him best, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead captures Warren Zevon in all his turbulent glory.
- Print length480 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherEcco
- Publication dateMay 6, 2008
- Dimensions6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100060763493
- ISBN-13978-0060763497
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“In one of the most unflinching examinations of the rock & roll life ever, Warren Zevon’s ex-wife Crystal paints a harrowing picture of a brilliant mind ravaged by alcohol ― using excerpts from the late singer-songwriter’s journals and interviews with friends including Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen.” — Rolling Stone, The Best of Rock Issue
“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead turns out to be one of the most casually insightful rock bios ever.” Grade: A- — Entertainment Weekly
“ The book reveals a smartass satirist . . . as bankrupt as the characters he documented in his songs.” — Los Angeles Times
“[A] new, riveting oral history... unflinching interviews with his friends, admirers and fellow hell-raisers.” — Rolling Stone
“... an unforgettable journey into the depths of Mr. Zevon’s mad genius.” — New York Times
“Few books have captured so well the L.A. rock and roll scene in all its mindlessness and eloquence.” — Los Angeles Magazine
“…I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead definitely piles up enough horrendous behavior to back the title’s claim.” — New York Times Book Review
“It’s a frank account of yet another great talent taken down by his own demons.” — Time Out Chicago
“.. a fascinating collection of anecdotes... as assembled by his ex-wife, Crystal Zevon. ” — Philadelphia Daily News
“[It’s] a satisfyingly sordid read that’s full of bad behavior…” — Philadelphia Inquirer
“… that’s what this book is about―humanizing this mythic character” — Harp Magazine
“… a grisly but fascinating rock ‘n’ roll journal…” — Birmingham News
“Crystal Zevon succeeds in channeling Warren Zevon, giving us a complete, engrossing picture of a compelling artist.” — Orlando Sentinel
“...the book [is] a tender song in itself.” — Seattle Times
“It’s a lurid, page-turning read, filled with big successes and deep lows.” — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“…packed full of... the cynical humor for which Warren Zevon was so famous.” — Bangor Daily News
“This often searing, humorous, and brutally honest book captures him at his best and his worst.” — Booklist
“All pop music collections need this book.” — Library Journal
“This is an extraordinary book -- unflinchingly honest, scarily funny, relentlessly cynical and always immensely entertaining. Just like Warren Zevon.” — Dave Barry
“A moralist in cynic’s clothing, Zevon nails a part of the American character rarely captured in pop music.” — Bruce Springsteen
“Warren Zevon...was one of the most interesting writers of the era, and certainly ahead of his time. ” — Gore Vidal
“A harrowing ride through the backstreets of the L.A. music business with the King of Song Noir.” — Jackson Browne
“Zevon...was a brilliant, funny, biting, tender storyteller...and [this] will keep him in your heart.” — Mitch Albom, author of FOR ONE MORE DAY and TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
From the Back Cover
When Warren Zevon died in 2003, he left behind a rich catalog of dark, witty rock 'n' roll classics, including "Lawyers, Guns and Money," "Excitable Boy," and the immortal "Werewolves of London." He also left behind a fanatical cult following and veritable rock opera of drugs, women, celebrity, genius, and epic bad behavior. As Warren once said, "I got to be Jim Morrison a lot longer than he did."
Narrated by his former wife and longtime co-conspirator, Crystal Zevon, this intimate and unusual oral history draws on interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, Bonnie Raitt, and numerous others who fell under Warren's mischievous spell. Told in the words and images of the friends, lovers, and legends who knew him best, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead captures Warren Zevon in all his turbulent glory.
About the Author
Crystal Zevon is Warren Zevon's former wife and lifelong friend. She lives in Vermont near her daughter, son-in-law, and twin grandsons.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
The Dirty Life and Times of Warren ZevonBy Crystal ZevonHarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Copyright © 2008 Crystal ZevonAll right reserved.
ISBN: 9780060763497
Chapter One
Wild Age
You've seen him leaning on the streetlight
Listening to some song inside
You've seen him standing by the highway
Trying to hitch a ride
Well, they tried so hard to hold him
Heaven knows how hard they tried
But he's made up his mind
He's the restless kind
He's the wild age
Warren's father, William Rubin Zivotofsky, was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1903. His father, Rubin, left for New York in 1905, and the Zivotofskys of Ukraine became the Zevons of Brooklyn.
Of his childhood, there was only one story Willie Zevon told when asked:
William "Stumpy" Zevon: Life was shit. We were poor, and it was either too hot or too cold. There was never enough room to move around in, and never enough food to eat. My best memory is one birthday. I was around ten, and my father came home with a cucumber. We never tasted a cucumber, and he took out his knife and divided it up. We each got a slice. It was cool and it tasted like candy to us. What did we know? We never had candy. That was the best birthday I remember. What I knew was I had to get out of that shithole. And, I did.
Sandy Zevon, Warren's first cousin: Willie and the youngest brother, Hymie, left New York and headed West. Willie was in his mid-teens. Their first stop was Chicago. They got into some gambling business. Sam Giancana, the famous mobster, put him into some shady business . . . It was like a Damon Runyon story.
In 1946, when Willie was forty-two, he met an innocent twenty-one-year-old beauty, Beverly Simmons, in Fresno, California. Although she had been born with a congenital heart condition and had always lived under the protective wing of her overbearing Mormon mother, Beverly believed she had found a "diamond in the rough."
Warren Zevon was born on January 24, 1947, in Chicago. His parents had a rocky marriage from the start. Beverly was after a family life that would prove impossible for Stumpy to handle. Throughout his childhood, Warren was passed back and forth between his parents as they fought bitterly, separated, got back together, then split again.
When Warren was nine years old, his father made a rare visit to Fresno, where Warren and his mother were living next door to Beverly's parents. On Christmas Eve, Stumpy disappeared for a night of gambling. He returned on Christmas morning, with a Chickering piano he had won in a poker game. Beverly was furious and ordered his "headache machine" removed from her house.
Warren wanted that piano. He silently cheered on Stumpy as he grabbed a carving knife meant for the turkey that wasn't even in the oven yet. It was the chilling image of Stumpy's poker face as he hurled the knife at Beverly's head that made a lasting impression on Warren. Time stood still as he watched the lethal blade miss his mother's head by no more than an inch. Without a word, Beverly stalked out the door and went to her parents' house down the block.
After his mother left, Warren's father sat him down on the piano bench, and they had their first ever father-to-son talk. He said, "Son, you know I gotta go. She's your mother, so I guess you gotta stay. But, there's something you better know. Your mother and your grandmother have been telling you you're the pope of Rome, right? Well, you ain't never going to be no pope, you know why? Because you're a Jew. You hear me, son? You're a Jew. Don't ever forget that."
By the time Warren was ready to enter junior high school, his father had charmed his mother into leaving Fresno to try living together again—this time in a lavish home with an ocean view in San Pedro, California.
Crystal Zevon: Warren began studying music with the Dana Junior High School band teacher, who also worked as a classical session player—a trumpet player. His teacher believed that Warren had a quality that set him apart, so he took Warren to a Robert Craft/Igor Stravinsky recording session—a day that left an indelible stamp on Warren's life and music.
From Warren's notes: I went [to Stravinsky's home] several times. Five or six times. So, I met Stravinsky, and talked to him, and sat on the couch with him. We read scores and he and Robert Craft inspired me to study conductors and conducting. But in no way was I an intimate friend of his. I was thirteen years old. In the latest definitive biography about Stravinsky, written by Robert Craft, there is a reference to me and my visits. Craft's description is pretty accurate. He, in fact, commends me for not claiming to have had a close relationship with Stravinsky. Although, I must admit, I haven't always dissuaded the press if they chose to make a little more of it than there actually was. He was very gracious to me, and the experience is one of my most treasured and inspirational memories.
Robert Craft, excerpted from his original typescript entitled "My Recollections of Warren Zevon": . . . I remember him [Warren Zevon] very clearly as he arrived late one afternoon at the Stravinsky Hollywood home, 1260 North Wetherly Drive. Though he seemed much younger than I had anticipated, he was self-possessed and articulate far beyond his years. After some conversation, I played recordings of contemporary pieces, not available commercially and unknown to him. He was keenly attentive and his responses were unambiguous; very young people are always judgmental, of course, but he supported his judgments with acute arguments. We followed scores of Stockhausen's Gruppen and Carree as we listened to air-checks of German radio performances.
After an hour or so, Stravinsky came into the room—his living room—and I made introductions. As always, Stravinsky was warm and hospitable, and Mr. Zevon, whatever he felt and thought, was in perfect control. Part of Stravinsky's late—afternoon . . .
Continues...
Excerpted from I'll Sleep When I'm Deadby Crystal Zevon Copyright © 2008 by Crystal Zevon. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : Ecco; Reprint edition (May 6, 2008)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 480 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0060763493
- ISBN-13 : 978-0060763497
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #156,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #520 in Rock Band Biographies
- #547 in Rock Music (Books)
- #1,544 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's talent and skill as a songwriter. The biography provides an interesting look into the life of Warren Zevon, who is described as brilliant and creative. Readers praise the honesty and first-person accounts that make the story believable. The insights and surprises provided in the book are fascinating and well-received. Overall, customers find the story entertaining and well-told.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as an interesting look into the creative process of a complex artist. The author's writing style is refreshing and the story flows smoothly.
"...Even if you are not a Zevon fan, this is a great read...." Read more
"I just finished the book, and it was definitely worth the read. Many insights into a world most of us will never see...." Read more
"...of segments/input from people interviewed for the book, it reads like one cohesive piece -- a testament to how it was all put together...." Read more
"...into paragraphs of quotes by an array of interesting people, it reads really quickly in spite of its length...." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's talent as a songwriter and musician. They find the book well-written and engaging, with raw, complex imagery. Readers describe the author as talented, knowledgeable, and gifted.
"...This is the life of a troubled man and his incredible genius for creating some of the best and most highly respected music of our times...." Read more
"...ex-wife and life-long friend, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is honest, well-written, well-put together, and is very detailed and illuminating not only..." Read more
"...Warren Zevon was a brilliant, talented, and accomplished artist, perhaps a genuine genius. He was also a non-stop train wreck...." Read more
"...This book is for anyone that loves Music, Rock n Roll, and Warren Zevon. His wide Crystal collaborated with anyone that touched Warren's life...." Read more
Customers find the biography engaging. It chronicles the life of a brilliant and interesting person from childhood until his death. Readers appreciate the honest, provocative descriptions of his life. The book is described as an entertaining and provocative collection of memories from people who knew Warren.
"...When I'm Dead" is honest, well-written, well-put together, and is very detailed and illuminating not only of Warren Zevon's life and career but also..." Read more
"The most inciteful Zevon biography I've read. Takes you into his day-to-day life." Read more
"...And she does, here he is with all the warts on. The level of detail and intimacy is amazing...." Read more
"...This is one of the best rock bios I have ever read. It delivers the full Zevon which oftentimes wasn't that pretty at all...." Read more
Customers find the book provides an interesting insight into Warren Zevon's life. They appreciate the insights from friends and ex-friends, as well as the surprises it offers. The story holds their interest and is inspiring for music fans.
"...Many insights into a world most of us will never see...." Read more
"...He is the Excitable Boy!" Read more
"...That alone makes this a rare book." Read more
"...Funny, poignant, sad, inspiring. The book has a great story to tell and does it well. Any fan of Warren will enjoy this book...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's honesty. They find it believable, well-researched, and informative. The first-person accounts add authenticity and make it interesting. The book is organized and well-documented, making it worth reading.
"...by his ex-wife and life-long friend, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is honest, well-written, well-put together, and is very detailed and illuminating..." Read more
"...What stands out for me is Zevon's work was always authentic. He did not pander. He maintained his individuality and his own voice...." Read more
"...hour with Letterman, is very sad but at the same time, intimate and revealing about the ups and downs in his life and career as well as how he was..." Read more
"I like the way Crystal compiled this. There's tons of information, and it's interspersed with photos...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story quality. They find it engaging, with no holds barred. The book reveals Warren's life as it was intended, reminding readers of a documentary. It is an easy read that keeps their interest from page to page.
"...The book reminds me of a documentary, with one 'core voice' narrating/structuring the story, with a lot of other people providing their input...." Read more
"...Funny, poignant, sad, inspiring. The book has a great story to tell and does it well. Any fan of Warren will enjoy this book...." Read more
"...I think his wife/ex wife Crystal did a great job compiling all the stories. You can see why people were drawn to him, despite his bad behavior." Read more
"Great vivisection / biography of the life and legend of one of 20th centuries' most unconventional and underrated Singer/Songwriters...." Read more
Customers find the book poignant and honest, with heavy doses of pain, heartache, loss, faith, and hope. They say it conveys every emotion in song, often using monkey metaphors. The personal words from each person are appreciated.
"...This is the life of a troubled man and his incredible genius for creating some of the best and most highly respected music of our times...." Read more
"...This is an honest book, with humor and tenderness. If you're a fan of Warren, or of rock and roll history, this is well worth it." Read more
"...with dozens of family and friends, which gives it immediacy and emotional impact...." Read more
"...is his full hour with Letterman, is very sad but at the same time, intimate and revealing about the ups and downs in his life and career as well as..." Read more
Customers appreciate the portrait quality of this book. They find it a remarkable, honest look at a gifted and troubled talent, with all the warts left on. The book is described as detailed and unvarnished, with interesting material like sketches Warren drew. It offers a fascinating look at the man behind the music, with artistic license.
"...There's a lot of cool material here, too, like sketches Warren drew, as well as a ton of black and white photos...." Read more
"...This book is about the man, good, bad, and ugly, and how some of his ideas came about...." Read more
"...It's still very much worth reading as honest illumination on Warren's artistry and his considerable human faults...." Read more
"...I watched the VH1 documentary. So I had to buy the book. It's a fascinating look at an extremely talented, tortured man...." Read more
Reviews with images
Warren Zevon is the werewolf of Rock n Roll
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014A must read for music lovers and Warren Zevon fans alike. Even if you are not a Zevon fan, this is a great read.
Crystal Zevon presents this in the form of diary excerpts and interviews with Warren's friends, contemporaries, girlfriends, family and others that encountered him whether briefly or for a lifetime. This is the life of a troubled man and his incredible genius for creating some of the best and most highly respected music of our times.
No matter how incorrigible and difficult Zevon could be, he always ends up with the respect and love of the people who surrounded him in his life and legions of fans world wide.
Warren Zevon was much, much more than 'Werewolves of London". He was a laundry list of music that was the brainchild of one of the greatest writers/composers/singers/instrumentalists to grace the concert stage.
Highly recommended for the reader who loves to read outside the box and who craves biography in all it's glorious and no-holds-barred best.
Now for my personal take on Warren Zevon the man, he was indeed a person haunted by the terribly sad and abusive childhood and family life he was subjected to.
Unfortunately, Zevon was never able to overcome the ghosts of his past and those are the torments that stayed with him his entire life, affecting him in all corners of his existence. I think deep down he wanted to be a better person, a better father, a better husband and friend but, he was unable to accomplish this because he had no guidance for this.
The reason I feel this way has to do with remarks made by others when they recount an event when Zevon treated someone badly and afterward Zevon puzzles as to, "Why did I do that?" or "I hated to be that way to him!"
There are of course other reasons for my feelings on this but, just by reading between the lines and understanding human emotions, I feel sorry for him in many ways. Other ways, yes, I do find his behavior reprehensible but, one must also go back and remember the events that happened to create this personality.
I feel in many cases, Zevon's friends and contemporaries knew how badly he needed help, and not just for his alcohol addiction but for his emotional problems stemming from his early life traumas. These people knew there was little they could do but still accept Zevon for the person they knew him to be which in many other ways was a lovable and incredibly talented man.
Even the most difficult of people can have those around them in life that know the truth about them and those are the people that will stand by and lend support to the best of their abilities. These are the people that gathered and supported Zevon into rehabilitation and a 17 year sobriety.
Notice how Zevon eventually falls from sobriety once he learns his fate in the end. He had two ways to go, either sober and brave or drunk and realistic about the fact that death was the ultimate end of the story.
I do not think Warren Zevon had any ability to take the former path. He had no guidance in how to do that.
Sad that this was the way things ended for such a great artist that will forever be unmatched. Sad story on all counts.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2007I just finished the book, and it was definitely worth the read. Many insights into a world most of us will never see.
I found the format of the book very annoying--it's entirely composed of 1 to 2 paragraph quotes from interviews of his friends and family. So, on every page you have 3 or 4 voices speaking. This would be fine for a shorter piece, but a book this size needs a more coherent narrative voice. Also, when there are conflicting memories of a certain event there's little effort made to indicate whose memory is more jaundiced.
The pacing is quite uneven as well, with years going by without a mention, and occasional reminiscences which are not well signaled. I often found myself asking, "When is this happening?"
I'm impressed that Crystal Zevon was able to pull this together after the hell her life was with the guy. It's just that I put the book down thinking how much better it could have been. Although she puts forth a lot of unflattering material(about WZ and herself), there still seem to be areas where she harbors petty resentment (why is the girl from Philadelphia only ever referred to as "the DJ", surely she has a name?).
Even if you're not a fan of his music, I think the book is a good read about a tragic modern star.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022Written/compiled by his ex-wife and life-long friend, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is honest, well-written, well-put together, and is very detailed and illuminating not only of Warren Zevon's life and career but also of the general atmosphere of the LA music scene in the 60s and 70s. The book reminds me of a documentary, with one 'core voice' narrating/structuring the story, with a lot of other people providing their input. There's a lot of cool material here, too, like sketches Warren drew, as well as a ton of black and white photos. Even though the book is made up of segments/input from people interviewed for the book, it reads like one cohesive piece -- a testament to how it was all put together.
Warren Zevon today is probably best known as the guy who put out "Werewolves of London," but his decades-worth of albums -- and this book -- prove that he was as talented and devoted to the art of writing as he was underrated and flawed. This is an honest book, with humor and tenderness. If you're a fan of Warren, or of rock and roll history, this is well worth it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book about a one-of-a-king musicianWritten/compiled by his ex-wife and life-long friend, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is honest, well-written, well-put together, and is very detailed and illuminating not only of Warren Zevon's life and career but also of the general atmosphere of the LA music scene in the 60s and 70s. The book reminds me of a documentary, with one 'core voice' narrating/structuring the story, with a lot of other people providing their input. There's a lot of cool material here, too, like sketches Warren drew, as well as a ton of black and white photos. Even though the book is made up of segments/input from people interviewed for the book, it reads like one cohesive piece -- a testament to how it was all put together.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022
Warren Zevon today is probably best known as the guy who put out "Werewolves of London," but his decades-worth of albums -- and this book -- prove that he was as talented and devoted to the art of writing as he was underrated and flawed. This is an honest book, with humor and tenderness. If you're a fan of Warren, or of rock and roll history, this is well worth it.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2022I really enjoyed reading this book. Because it’s broken out into paragraphs of quotes by an array of interesting people, it reads really quickly in spite of its length. From the title, I was afraid it was going to be a bash-fest, but even when they are being painfully honest about Warren Z’s often disappointing and sometimes shocking behavior, people who knew him are obviously filled with love for the guy. And the portrait that is painted leads you to believe that he would appreciate the honesty, as he was ultimately honest with himself. And it’s not all bad…you also get a glimpse into a very big heart who loved deeply although he often fell short in showing it. In other words, the man was pretty much what you would expect from his music. Extremely smart, sharp-witted, deep and even surprisingly spiritual…but definitely complicated. Really a great read, especially for Zevon fans.
Top reviews from other countries
- Debbie Gaudet-SmithReviewed in Canada on April 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
Didn’t know anything about Warren but now I do. Great book. Always enjoy band books. Exciting lives they all had.
-
magnus lindoffReviewed in Sweden on March 18, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Rolig och tragisk
Välskriven bok
-
GTIReviewed in Spain on December 19, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfecto
Perfecto
- Christopher John HackettReviewed in Australia on June 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A haunted soul whose lyrics and music always came first.
A brilliant and often emotional read. Crystal Zevon has captured the very gritty and troubled life of a musical legend. If you enjoyed this man’s music, you will probably find it hard to put this book down. I certainly did. Thank you Crystal for showing so much behind the scenes. I feel I understand Warren Zevon and his music so much better for this experience.
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jae87lueas2mReviewed in Japan on April 20, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars ロマンティックでプライドの高い知的なアル中
ウクライナ系ユダヤ教徒(フランスのミッシェル・ポルナレフやおそらくボブ・ディランもそうです)であった家庭-しかも父はFBIのリストにのるほどのギャングスター-に生まれ、ベートーヴェンや暗黒社会探偵小説を好んだ - 10代前半には一時ストラヴィンスキーとともに数回彼の自宅で作品を聴いたり芸術の話をしていたこともある ! - ウォーレン・ジーヴォンについて、彼の周囲にいた人々の証言が積み重なっていく形式の本。手書きの手紙やスケッチなどのモノクロ写真もいくつかのっています。
他の人たちが朝食にオレンジジュースを飲むようにしてウォッカを飲んでいた 笑 というような強烈なアル中で、すば抜けて知的でブラックなユーモアの持ち主でありながらめちゃくちゃな奇行の数々を残した - プライドも高い - 人柄を示すエピソードの数々が興味深い。
曲ができた経緯についてもたくさんふれられていて、I'll Sleep When I'm Deadというのはわかったようなわからないようなフレーズだったのですがこれを読んで「おれは死ぬまで眠らんぞ!」という意味だったと初めてわかりました。
父親からお金や車をプレゼントされて若い頃は服をたくさん買ったお洒落さんでもあったようです。
夫と妻、父とこどもたちの家族の話でもあります。
アメリカの白人の暮らし方、型にはまった行動様式についても教えてくれます。電話番号をきいてデートを申し込み・・・になるとか、傷ついた相手をなぐさめる行動をとらねばならないとか、です。誕生日やクリスマスでのカードやプレゼント、結婚式への出席はもはや義務であり、そうする/しないは意思表明にすらなってしまうようです。友情や愛情は心の中のことでそうした外面の行動とは関係ないというアジア人のゆったりとした関係とは全く異なっています。
バラードシンガーなのにsheer rocker。知的なのにアル中。ウォーレン・ジーヴォンには二重のイメージがあってなかなかわかりにくい人でした。