Michael Lydon: Guestbook

luis carlos

February 5, 2012

I love listening to Paris in the Rain.,..La vie,...etc.

Best!

Luis

ingrid

January 19, 2012

very nice website-- all angles on Michael the multifaceted! Mazel tov.

Nani

January 10, 2012

Hi Michael!
I found you through my daily intake of "word of the day" from Visual Thesaurus. Today I decided I will bypass VT and find your article "How to Spot Love in Writing." I like your Paris in the Rain music video.

David J. Wynn

September 29, 2011

Blame it on Shuna, laughingly, her recent post of her Daddy is how I became aware of you. I turn 60 in March 2012 as the youngest, so it was soo refershing to see and hear the replay of your interview and those times of the 60,s. Currently in Southern California, & moving to Colorado in next 12 months, so glad to ''take'' you with us.

Allison

August 22, 2011

I just heard you play at The Immigrant at think you're amazing. I want you to play at my wedding.....but first I need to get a boyfriend. Seriously, loved your music.

Graeme Roberts

August 8, 2011

Hello Michael,
I can't wait for your articles in Word Count, on the Visual Thesaurus website. Now I will listen to your music.

You are a treasure!

Graeme

Cor van den Heuvel

June 15, 2011

Hi Michael, I enjoyed strolling through your website, especially Open 24 Hours and Memories of the 60s.
Hope to see (and hear) you around the neighborhood, Cor

Harry Hughes

May 17, 2011

Hi Michael and Ellen. I hope all is going well. I just listened to "Pass it On." Here are my humble comments on it. The title and theme are terrific. People everywhere seem to be wanting a little cheer in their lives these days, most like likely due to the economic situation and the senseless wars in the Middle East. the melody is on target, the musicianship frames the song perfectly (I love the little choral part at the end), and finally, Michael's voice, except when he emotes a little too much in a few places, has an improved soft quality to it. The only part of the song in which I cringed a bit was the "dying baby" lyric. It just sounded out of place and a bit mawkish. I think if you changed that line you'd have yourself a real winning song here. Well boys and girls, I hope this was helpful. Love, Harry

Jon Van Dyke

March 26, 2011

Hi, Michael -- I'm in Elk this weekend!! (With my wife Sherry & daughter Michelle & her guy Chris.) And I have been remembering the times I visited your place in Elk some 40 years ago. It's still dramatic & beautiful here. I'm on sabbatical this year, from my usual teaching post at the University of Hawaii, and I have been teaching at the University of California, Berkeley, this spring semester. Let me know if your travels bring you to the Bay Area, or to Hawaii later this year. So glad to see that you are still active and handsome!! (As you always were!) My daughter is a music journalist, so I have been telling her about you. Best to Ellen. Aloha, Jon

Stefano Amato

March 15, 2011

hi i'm an italian economy student and i'm reading a book cured by you and Robert Dimery titled: "1001 DISCHI i capolavori della musica pop-rock internazionale".
It was a present by my dad who loves music like I do. I hope it will let me descover lot of music I ignored before. I wrote this comment because you asked for it or just because I understood so.
But i would like to live for music that is my biggest passion togheter with football and girls. So if you have something for me or if i could do something for you just let me know.
Goodbye and good luck

Bob Kelly

January 6, 2011

Right after I read your wonderful article, "The Magic of Writing," I read The Writer's Almanac piece on E.L. Doctorow (1/5/10). As both a writer and musician, you might enjoy this quote by Doctorow: "Somewhere along the line the rhythms and tonalities of music elided in my brain with the sounds that words make and the rhythm that sentences have."

I've added that quote to my collection (452 volumes, 1.6 million quotes) and I hope you'll enjoy it. If you like, I'll be glad to forward that edition of the Almanac to you.

Martin McMorrow

January 3, 2011

Michael, I believe you (and your fans) would like my new book, "Phoenix to LA." It is about a young man who was attending college and protesting the War one day and treating heroin addiction in same-age, soldier kids the next. Each chapter is titled with the name of a key song from the 60's and early 70's. It is up your alley for sure. Check it out at my website www.martymcmorrow.com

David Casey

November 22, 2010

Hi Michael

I am up on the many pleasures and treasures of Writing and Life but have not yet read Real Writing. In this ever-changing present I know neither what will happen next nor what I'll do next. I am always now facing next.

More soon.

SAMM COOPER MED

July 3, 2010

GREAT SITE please check out mine WORDS WITH SAMM COOPER AT Http://SAMMCOOPER.COM Well wishes!!!!!

Nivia Mendez

June 27, 2010

Wow! Cool website! Correct me if I'm wrong, I remember you also wrote a book on how to make it in music, didn't you? Anyway, I really enjoyed checking out the site! Keep up the great work!

Bertil Mollberger

May 27, 2010

Hi again Mr Lydon, long time no talk! (And no write!) Glad I found you web site; we had some conversation via mail a couple of years ago, when I had read your terrific book on Brother Ray. "You're really a FAN, you said when you read my mails to and from Ray's daughter Raenée Robinson. Well well, here I am again - and I'll get back to you soon, with some questions about your book (again). Keep cool, All the best, Bertil Mollberger.

bill

February 21, 2010

Michael--Came across your Rolling Stone essay, Dead Zone. Your account of the Grateful Dead's 1969 gig at Springer's Inn comes very near to capturing the experience of hearing the Dead hit one of their many peaks. No one else, IMHO, did a better job of putting the Dead's sound into words--not an easy task.
Thank you for doing so....

hooshang

February 17, 2010

Hi Michael,
I'd love to read your articles on language. Do you blog such articles?
Hooshang

kyrstin

January 27, 2010

little song is quite cute!!

Lisa

January 21, 2010

Loved your essay on metaphors, that appears in VisualThesaurus.com today. Perfect lecture. I'm purchasing your book of essays on writing. Terrific. Smart. I'll share it with my students. Thank you so much.

ralph

January 21, 2010

found u via Viz. The. site. thankful.

luis carlos

January 10, 2010

I just saw some of your new videos and I really enjoyed.
Best wishes for 2010 for you and Ellen!
Best!

Luis Carlos

Peter

October 9, 2009

You must have been a really young man, but you wrote some really good liner notes to a favorite old record of mine, Chuck Berry's "Back Home."

Mario

October 9, 2009

saw U wrote a book about Ray Charles, maybe U can help me. I heard once in the radio "Summertime" by Ray Charles and Sarah Vaughan, I love that version but there's no way I can find in which record is that song... Will you help?
Thank U
Mario

David Hill

October 5, 2009

Michael, I was the "promoter" of the 1969 Stones concert in Auburn you describe so amusingly in Flashbacks. I just returned to Auburn after a 40 year sojourn and its time to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Could we speak to get any other anecdotes you recall? It don't recall that Terry Reid went out for the second show and CB got his amp unplugged, all because of the late hour. Can you recall any details of this?

Ellen= Daph's mother-in-law, Gary's

September 22, 2009

Hi Michael,
Happy New Year. I found you at Daph's blog.
Be in good health and have fun and success.
Love,
Ellen

James Lydon

September 20, 2009

Hi...

Just came on here because I am a Lydon lol... My grandfathers name is Michael Lydon, but I don't really know him well...

Jennifer Vegas (Spain)

September 18, 2009

Wow!I was jumping through youtube looking for Paris videos and I found you...what could I say?Thank you for your work, it's impressing!!Keep on with this, you're making life happier

Jim Thiel

August 11, 2009

Hi Mike,

Peter Tillers tipped me off to your website. I recall your kindness in remembering Fred Bamber in some Yale 65 submittal. I roomed with and went through flight training with Woody Knapp -- who liked to be called Rick Knapp -- who was shot down in an A-4 and was our only class mate lost in the war I believe.

Wish I had some musical talent. Have a old grand piano but have written only one song for my own enjoyment (no lyrics). Nice to see your picture. Jim

Peter Tillers

August 3, 2009

Knew you at Yale College. The internet age had to arrive before I could find you.

You have had a rich life. More to come, I'm sure. Best regards, Peter

jim shepley

July 28, 2009

it's been a long time. Loved "Man and Music" great book. Hope to hear from you sometime.Just thinking of Bob Greenlee and Jim Payne and the old "Jim Ground daze" Still playing a lot of shows
Be well

getjoy

June 9, 2009

magic story very thanks

Your Biggest Fan

May 22, 2009

Michael Lydon....you are one sexy piece of man candy right there.

Andrew Becknell

April 9, 2009

It was great to meet you at Columbia the other week. You are an amazing person and inspired me to continue my music writing. I was touched by your class that you taught there. I walked in there thinking it was going to be a regular boring class about journalism like the others there, but when you said who you were I was in total nirvana. That was the highlight of my trip to New York with my school newspaper besides winning an award for second place for my photography. Sir you are perhaps the coolest person I have met. I thought it was cool how you co founded Rolling Stone because I check that site every week for music news. Music is my life and you only furthered it. I enjoyed when you talked about interviewing John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Thank you for the experience. "Are You Experienced?" as Hendrix said. Yes I am. Keep up the music and I hope to read more of your writing and meet you again some day. Peace

March 22, 2009

Michael Lydon-
Wow. You will never know the extent to which you blew me away this past week at Columbia. I was there, you were there. We had an interview in common- Richie Havens. How wild is that? Anyhow, I wanted to let you know that I checked up on you and, through my eyes, you're a great man with a very inspiring story.
Thank you for the awakening,
Jake Brower

grace rosen

March 19, 2009

I heard you speak today at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference. You were absolutely fantastic, completely inspiring. I am the Arts editor of my paper and there are definitely going to be major improvements after hearing your story.

Thanks so much

Rita (Willow) Johnson

March 17, 2009

Hello Michel!
Read part of your book on RC online. I wonder who gave you the story, so many things wrong.I should know, and I do.Great style in your writing though.
All best, Raita (Rita)

Mdtotoqc

February 21, 2009

this post is fantastic

Michael Lydon

February 17, 2009

My name is Michael Lydon also, and I play guitar and write books. Although I am a liiiiiiiittle younger than u. Yaaaaaaaaay!!!!

wade wyatt

February 4, 2009

interesting, thanks

Mike

January 4, 2009

A great resource - many thanks!

nwlkdjs

December 23, 2008

Very nice site. I enjoy your webcam the most. Beautiful scenery! Keep up the great work.

Roger Lewis

December 15, 2008

Ho Michael,
Just to say thanks for writing How to play Classic Jazz Guitar, Six Swinging Strings. I've been studying it for the past 3 months and it is the best guitar book I've ever read/studied.
I have been so impressed i've posted a recommendation on the various guitar forums I tend to read recommending that others go out and buy it or get it as a present for Christmas.
All the best anyhow.
Roger G Lewis

Raita Outinen aka Rita Johnson

October 23, 2008

Hello Handsome!There was One more handsome than you, but since he has joined the heavenly choir, I let you you keep the title! What ever it's worth...I feel like Neil Marr..."burning with a sudden desire to read and listen to more".Rigt now I survive by listening to my guru Van Morrison who's poetry has made me a better person.Talking about blues.... "Blessed be" on your path! Raita

Neil Marr

September 19, 2008

Fascinating site, fascinating chap. Stumbled across Michael's site almost by chance this week ... now burning with a sudden desire to read and listen to more. Good luck. Neil Marr (fellow writer, fellow geetar man, fellow of the Blurry Sixties)

Harry Hughes

September 14, 2008

I've got some bad news for that Lydon guy. He's only the second handsomest guy in the world.

Pat Williams

July 20, 2008

Cool site.

Leonard

July 4, 2008

Your stuff is a little 'done,' if you know what I mean. I think you should try some new things--new moods, new chord structures, etc.

Chuck

May 27, 2008

Hi, I just bought your book How To Play Classic Jazz Guitar - fantastic! As a "mature" struggling rookie jazz guitar player, I am finding it extremely useful. Keep up the great work.

Samuel

May 6, 2008

zaIpaF Hello! I'm Samuel Smith, i'm from Switqerland i and find your site really brilliant!

Lisa

March 26, 2008

Hi Michael! I got your site from David Smelin's camp letter to his staff. I've worked at fieldston for 6 years now, and I'm looking forward to singing with you at quad this year. Welcome on board!

cody dingess

March 10, 2008

i love your book about ray charels i stubled on it in my college library thank you im now writing a book report on it thank you for sharing this story with me

Alison McQ

February 7, 2008

found your site through your daughter's blog where she posted you whistling at the whistler's convention - brilliant - i too am a whistler (runs in the family). great site!

Cath Young

February 6, 2008

Hi Michael,
I'm looking for a different Michael Lydon in London but thought I'd take a look at you website. Great music! I've never heard of you before until now. I'm adding you to my favourites. Best of luck

Cath Young

Yvonne

January 19, 2008

Hi Michael. I would like to talk to you personally about any research you may have done on the country music band called "The Florida Playboys" that was mentioned in your book about Ray Charles. Yvonne

Ruth Adkins Robinson

December 2, 2007

Had to pick up your RC book again as some jerk has sent out an email saying that 'one of Ray's ex-wives' has died and invited all to 'read the books' which proved that she was an 'anchor' in his career. i sent him an email that says she wasn't a wife, nor an achor, i read the books! oh, it was Mae Lyles. best, RAR

Nadav

November 13, 2007

Hi Michael,
It was great to hear you, see you and play with you tonight. Loved the website.
See you in school!
Nadav

Omar

October 21, 2007

its realy an honor to sibmit on the guestbook of a great writer with an impresive career like you

jammarlibre

October 12, 2007

Hi
Thanks for your site.

Tim Lydon

August 31, 2007

Always great to see a Lydon doing well and enjoying life! I also grew up in Boston and lived in England for about 4 years. Funny how parallel some things are.
Best of luck.

Kathie Nicolet/Chicago Pianist

June 17, 2007

What a beautiful site, Michael.
Best of luck to you ~ Kathie Nicolet
Chicago Pianist For Corporate/Social Events Since 1983
www.knicoletpiano.com

Larry (Larry Cooke) Brakefield

March 20, 2007

Read your book "Rock Folk" in the 70s and found it last week in my storage boxes. Read most of it again. I'm 64 now so I read a lot in the "can." I played rock guitar from 1958 till 1977. Mostly California. Played San Francisco in 65 & 66. Do the "El Cid" and "Big Al's" ring a bell? How 'bout Carol Doda? Must have ran into you along the way. Great times. I feel like I know you because you're from the same ilk as me & my pals. We worked out of Local 47 in LA. Keep on truckin' man and I'll see you somewhere sometime. You looking and sounding great....LarryB

Zick Rubin

March 10, 2007

Michael,
I was here. Couldn't sleep, went downstairs, checked my Facebook account, and there you were. Website looks great. Zick

Pat D.

February 28, 2007

I'm currently reading Home Fires and just wanted to see what you are doing these days.

bob

February 24, 2007

i love your website!!
can we exchange links?
thanks

WhistlingTom

February 13, 2007

Hey Mike, Looking forward to meeting you at the IWC this year. I have a feeling the competition will be tough. Whistlers will be there from all around the world. Let me say Congratulations on a great life/adventure so far. Best of Blessings to ya, W. T.

michael lydon

February 12, 2007

Hello!
I'm Michael Lydon too----and I thought I was the most handsome guy in the world!

Toni

February 8, 2007

Hello! Shuna linked here from her blog. She's a unique and wonderful person who's writing has made me laugh, cry, swoon and salivate. I can only imagine how proud of her you must be. Thank you for your part in making her the wonderful person she is today.

Now I'll go read more about you and listen to your music.

Serjpenek

January 23, 2007

Very interesting website. :)
Good luck and keep up good work. Serj.

t newman

October 19, 2006

wow

Francesco Bonifazi

October 15, 2006

Michael,

Saw your post on Orawhistler - welcome from another jazz whistler.

I'm interested, what did Steve teach you about whistling? Are you continuing to take lessons from him.

Have a pianist partner must be a wonderful combination. I've been encouraging other whistlers to seek out good accompanists in their areas instead of performing to recorded CDs...not professional in my opinion. My pianist is also my teacher - not whistling, theory, composition and performance.

Check out some of my clips at my web-sites. I've performed all over the world, but no NYC - yet.

I also play guitar (yes jazz!) and sing, but your baritone voice is a sweet thing indeed.

Ciao!

Francesco Bonifazi - The Jazz Whistler
www.thejazzwhister.com
www.cdbaby.com/boniazi

tim lydon

April 3, 2006

hi! It is so cool to be writing to you. I am 11 years old and I found your book, Flashbacks, at the library. I was surprised to find another Lydon. I live in Minnesota. There are not many Lydons here.I am a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Hope to talk to you again.
Sincerely,
Tim Lydon

Carlos Roderick

March 21, 2006

I met Michael Lydon in a leanto near the Oakland city dump back in 1974. I shared my Spam sandwich with him and taught him how to play the guitar. (He thought it would make him popular with the girls.) I suggested that he call himself the "most handsome man in the world" as some people will believe anything you tell them. Later I introduced him to Ellen Mandel, whom I'd recently taught to play the piano. The rest is history.

Tanner

March 9, 2006

I had Michael Lydon visit my school on 3/9/06. I just wanted to say, me and my friends really loved his music and thought his career was awesome. And his guitar is freaking cool.

Greg Greenhalgh

February 23, 2006

Great web site featuring a great writer, great singer and all round great guy! If you’re visiting this site and haven’t yet read Mr Lydon’s “Ray Charles – Man and Music” get a copy quick. Brilliantly researched, opinionated and wonderfully scripted, this book is by far the best biog’ available on the life of the “Genius” Ray Charles. Greg & Gill Papcastle, England

JL of Team Godson

February 17, 2006

I think your site is pretty cool Mr. Lydon! (read the forum post for my additional comments)

Margaret

February 10, 2006

michael, what a wonderful web site-who knew? I'll link you up to ours in the "neighbor links" section if that's ok with you. Bravo!
margaret