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| LOVE statue - Philadelphia, PA - 2013 |
"You can have all the money in the world, you can have mansions, you can have properties, you can have yachts, you can have limousines, you can have motorcycles - but without love it doesn't mean a goddamn thing."
The above is a quote from the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel from his recently published book "Billy Joel The Definitive Biography." Actually, his quote sounds like the lyrics to one of his many self written songs.
One aspect of the human condition that has always fascinated me is how some very popular, rich and talented people can't find true love. Now of course Billy Joel is one fugly looking dude.
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| Billy Joel - Piano Man |
I don't know him personally (of course I don't!) but from what I've been able to glean from my prodigious reading of the gossip rags, he's not one of these egomaniacal driven stars who think they are God like. He seems to be a regular guy with a super abundance of talent who has issues like most of us. But what a shame to have all that money, talent and fame and not to have someone to love him and for him to love.
I read a lot of celebrity biographies. Presently I'm finished an unauthorized biography of Diana Ross. She too, with all her talent and good looks, is now alone. Oh sure, she has her children, which is very important, but she doesn't have that Special Someone. But they she has that out of control diva thing going on too. Maybe that's her problem.
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| Diana Ross |
Then there is perhaps the most famous and desired movie goddess of all time, Marilyn Monroe. She, who combined the perfect of physical beauty with childlike innocence, died alone in her bed from an apparent drug overdose. Let me say it again, Marilyn died ALONE.
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| Marilyn Monroe |
Hedy Lamarr, my favorite movie goddess. Perhaps the most beautiful woman ever to grace the silver screen (in my opinion anyway), also died alone. And I could cite example after example.
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| Hedy Lamarr |
There I was, alone in my dull apartment with the worn furniture in the Roll Up the Streets town of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. I was playing some Dinah Washington records to assuage my loneliness, which probably on exacerbated my loneliness but oh how her sad songs soothed my loneliness.
At one point I thought I was going out of my head with despair. I turned on all the lights in the apartment and put on more upbeat music and started to dance by myself. I did that for about an hour until I wore myself out and went to bed . . . . early.
When I got up the next morning I made up my mind that I was not going to give up to despair. I would continue "going out" and create the possibility of meeting Someone. And I did. I met Bill.
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| Christmas 1964 at Bill's apartment in Pennsauken, New Jersey |
In the ensuing years since I have been in love and been loved more than once. I have lived. Not for the the usual gay "lifestyle" experience of sleeping with as many people as I could. I never went that route. For the the "route" I went was always looking for Prince Charming. And you know what folks? I have found him.
So who needs fame and fortune and incredible talent when regular schmoo like me can find love. Life is good folks. Life is good and I am so thankful.
Do I think it is luck? At one time I did but not now. I think it is the person. You're either a person who can give love and receive it or you're a person who doesn't. Sounds harsh but I truly believe someone has their perfect match. It's just a matter of time until you find him or her. But you can't give up, no matter how long it takes.
