Dammit, the worst part of living longer is seeing the passing of important folks from one's youth!
Alice Brock, famed restauranteur, longtime friend of Arlo Guthrie - and the "Alice" in Guthrie's 18 minute talking blues,
"Alice's Restaurant Massacree" - has died at age 83.
Stockbridge Massachusetts is a wonderful town, maybe best known for its resident, Norman Rockwell....but for some it is the site of Arlo's famous Massacree, and felony.
Couched in Arlo's song is mention of the
Group W Bench - a bench in the police station where Arlo plays with his pencil and socializes with other various unsavory characters. The "W" may stand for waiver....as those on the bench may be being considered unfit for military service due to something serious......
Like that heel spur clinic in NYC.A sad day on
The Bench today - as a major player in this fable has passed.
Truly.
Losses like this make me feel old (er) and sad.
I will give a thought to Alice tomorrow, and try not to desecrate the bench by spilling my coffee. Again.
Stig