I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Author: Crystal Zevon 2007 452 pp
My rating: 3.5*
Started September 8 2008, Finished September 13 2008.

This biography of the darkly intellectual rocker Warren Zevon by his ex-wife, a pastiche of reminiscences by friends and associates, excerpts from his journal and observations by the author, struck me as unexpectedly worthwhile and compelling, though I suspect it would be much less so for the reader not familiar with Zevon’s music. Zevon died in his early fifties, a few months after being diagnosed with cancer. He used the time remaining to him after his diagnosis in a spurt of creativity, writing, producing a performing a final album (ironically, his most successful in decades) and accompanying making-of video. Obviously concerned with image management and keeping his name and career alive after his death (he said he didn’t want a funeral because he didn’t want to spend his last days “wondering whether [the Eagles’ Don] Henley would come”), he requested that Crystal write this book and make it, “a warts and all portrait”. Credit to Crystal for fully fulfilling this commission as she did an excellent job of interleaving quotes from nearly a hundred sources while maintaining a decent narrative flow and honoring, almost to a fault, Warren’s request to show his dark side. This longtime Zevon fan felt his admiration for Zevon, as a person if not an artist, substantially diminished by the tales of the blackout alcoholism and associated abuse of friends and, especially, spouse, his lifelong womanizing and his general primadonnaish self-indulgence -- he played the role of demanding rock star for decades after his star had waned. The interviews with friends often mention Zevon’s that humor and genius usually compensated for his dark side, but in this telling, the dark side predominates though some of the humor comes through in his journal entry, albeit along with his ego. Fans of the music should appreciate the insights into the composition of many of those great songs revealed in the journal and by collaborators. Also of note were the insightfulness and generousity of Jackson Browne's reminiscences.
As I write this, I’m listening to Zevon’s music and am once again struck by what a deep and rich body of work it is. If you’re already a fan, read this book. Otherwise, listen to the songs.

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It’s rock and roll, we can rhyme ‘thanks’ with ‘mom’ (375)

[On rock star tantrums] You have to let them know you’re not going to take it. Listen, if you give in to them one time, just one time, you let them send you coach, and you’re going coach for the rest of your life. (384)

[Obsessive compulsive behavior] I would sometimes bring him upwards of ten Cokes before he found one that was good luck. He’d flip it open, and just by the sound, he could tell if it was good luck or not. (385)

I better go quick so they’ll give me a Grammy nomination. It’s a damned hard way to make a living, having to die to gem ‘em to know you’re alive. (429-30)