My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)
31. A different sort of list this week. This one is dedicated to my sweet wife Ruth, the love of my life, who left all too soon. I will carry you in my heart for the rest of my days.
Ruth loved growing up in the heyday of rock and roll. She felt the music of the sixties and seventies was unsurpassed in modern times. This list is a tiny sample of some of the music we enjoyed together. Rock on babe.
My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) by Neil Young
2011 Journeys. Ruth and I have been huge fans of the hard rock side of Neil Young. When I sent Ruth off, it was in a Neil Young and Crazy Horse concert t-shirt promoting the Ragged Glory Tour. I figured it was appropriate. The back of the t-shirt had a wonderful hand drawing that said, “Don’t Spook The Horse”, a nod to her horsey years.
A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You by The Monkees
1967 single. Ruth’s first love was a toss up between George Harrison and Davy Jones. Of course George came first, and would eventually win out, but not before she saw Davy in Toronto with opening act Jimi Hendrix. Perhaps the weirdest double bill ever, the girls were there to see Davy, not Hendrix. She remembered the event as being somewhat confusing. Who was that guy?
I’d Have You Anytime by George Harrison
1970 - All Things Must Pass. I suppose could have picked anything from this classic album. In the era when everyone picked their favourite Beatle, George was her undisputed king. It wasn’t even close.
Oh What a Feeling by Crowbar
1970 - Bad Manors. Crowbar played at Ruth’s high school, Agincourt Collegiate, permanently etching the band in her memory and on our in house playlist. What a great jam. Get up and dance!
Working on the Radio by the 102.1 Band
1979 single. Back when The Spirit of Radio was still broadcasting out of Brampton, Ruth often called up the station and chatted with the jocks to pass the time while working at The Photo Shops. This song encapsulates the free form magic of progressive FM radio in those early years, when radio was a two-way conversation between the jocks and the listeners.
For Your Love by Humble Pie
1970 - Natural Born Bugie - Ruth claims she lost a good part of her hearing at a Humble Pie Concert. She said her ears rang for days afterwards. For my love, I’ve chosen a quiet one.
Going Up the Country by Canned Heat
1968 - Living the Blues. When we were living in downtown Toronto, and dreaming of a life in the country, tracks like this and We Got to Get Out of this Place by the Animals were the songs that fueled us. We just knew there was a better life waiting for us out in the county. Somehow, we just had to make it work. And we did.
Avalon by Roxy Music
1982 Avalon. Bryan Ferry was one of Ruth’s guilty pleasures. I think she thought he was kind of schmaltzy, but he had all the right moves and I could tell, she lapped it up. Still, she was sort of embarrassed by how much she liked this.
Smooth by Santana & Rob Thomas
1999 - Supernatural. Carlos Santana’s guitar playing made Ruth swoon. She absolutely loved the sounds he created and you could see he had a physical effect on her. Again, I could have chosen just about anything from Carlos.
Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf
I picked this one out for my own green eyed lady, who set me free in so many ways. Here’s to you Love. Ruth (Walters) Charlton. 1954 - 2024
So sorry to hear about your loss. Your musical jukebox selection is a touching and lovely tribute to your wife - we/ I also grew up with many of your chosen tracks special to us and this was a nostalgic reminder of those carefree days. Keep enjoying the music and taking your wonderful photographs. Wishing you all the best.
John, I am so very sorry to learn this news. I'd noticed your absence on Substack, which you explained generically, so I had no idea what was going on. I'm deeply sorry for your loss of the love of your life. I will take some time this week to listen to each song on the list, but slowly, to appreciate the songs and the sentiments you've shared about Ruth, the music, and what the songs meant to you and her. A beautiful tribute in the language that we all thrive on. Take good care.