my birthday is this month. A whole lot of people that went to HS in the DC area in those days remember him, but sadly, he is nothing but a footnote now to most. Little Feat appeared to be rocketing to fame and fortune after releasing (what some say) was the greatest live album ever, in Waiting for Columbus. I've probably listened to it over a thousand times. But the truth of the story was that Lowell George was barely keeping his poop together, and the band was falling apart.

"Don't want no speedballs, cuz I might die trying..."

Got that, right, Lowell. He died in Arlington, which, I think, he also got right, at least. That was probably the epicenter of the band's popularity. I look at his short life, and I've known others like him, and wonder what could have been. Sometimes I think people attain such strength in one aspect of their lives, that it costs them dearly in others. Lowell George was utterly powerless against drugs and alcohol, which is the case with countless gifted artists.

He was from LA, the son of a wealthy furrier, which gave him the freedom to pursue both his gifts and his vices, I suppose. And he knew all of the locals, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and would have likely achieved at least similar success had he lived.

He left a wife and a "little girl child", Inara, who probably only knows of him from what she has heard or read. She was born on July 4th, not quite five years prior. She has since grown to have a modest career in music herself.

Jackson Browne wrote an honest tribute to Lowell George, but it seemed more of an explanation, or a hope, for Inara. The significance of the story is unknown to most that have heard the song.

"Does it take a death to learn what a life is worth?"

Ah...Jackson Browne. Words matter, with him, and carry weight that time never lessens. Or maybe you are affected most by the writers around at those certain times of your youth?

Anyway...Good bye, Lowell. There are less and less of us around to remember. And it is sad to think the greatest thing to remember is the waste and the lesson of "what could have been".