20/01/2025
Shel’s memorial at the Grammy Museum last night was a warm and moving occasion, with friends, fans and colleagues all gathered alongside his widow Jan to celebrate the life of this unique, one-of-a-kind individual, with a myriad “Shel stories” swapped at every turn.
Hosted by Shel’s close friend, the dapper and ever charming Harry Zinn, the program included a visual trip through the great man’s career, a handful of brief but very moving spoken tributes – including a surprise live call from Dave Davies – and, as Shel would have of course insisted upon, some live rock’n’roll.
As soon as the footage can be edited, we will share the speeches and music highlights here. In the meantime, some snaps from what will remain a most memorable event for all present, including speakers Harry Zinn; Alec Palao (holding a copy of Shel’s very first production by Debbie Sharron, who was herself in attendance); Shel’s daughter Jonna Sargent; Paul Thompson and Angela Edwards (old friends who date back to Shel’s time in the UK) and actor/director Keith Szarabajka.
The musical program featured an acoustic ‘Sunny Afternoon’ from The Waymores, the last act to be produced by Shel, followed by full band versions of further Talmy classics sung by Los Angeles scene stalwarts Willie Aron (‘Summer Song’), Andrew Sandoval (‘Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James’), Chris Price (‘If Paradise Is Half As Nice’) and Danny Winebarger (‘Bald Headed Woman’), along with Shel’s drinking buddy and vocalist of Strangers In A Strange Land, the redoubtable Paul Kopf (‘If I Stay Too Long’ and ‘The Kids Are Alright’) and, last but certainly not least, the legendary talent of Evie Sands (‘Friday On My Mind’). Percussion was handled by the dependable Ben Lecourt and Dave Jenkins, and of course you couldn’t keep Alec off the bandstand if you tried. Photos by Susan Moll.
Dave Davies The Waymores Strangers In A Strange Land Evie Sands Willie Aron Danny Winebarger Andrew Sandoval Chris Price
