On November 2nd 2019, I celebrate my 70th birthday. While I’m delighted to have made it so far, there will be no party, fireworks or over-indulgence of any kind.
Instead, I will pause to ponder the life I’ve lived and the life I’ve yet to live.
Although, to tell the truth I’ve indulged in a great deal of such reflection in recent days and arrive at this day with few regrets and a certain sense of satisfaction.
More importantly, I find there a good many things I’m still driven to do albeit that I might lack the urgency that fuelled me in earlier years.
As many of you know, hereditary health issues have pretty much brought me to a standstill in a physical sense. In simple terms, I’m kept alive by a dialysis machine, which is limiting in the extreme. This will change should I be fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant but reality (or should that be pragmatism) dictates that I make plans that I can pursue here at home.
Luckily, for me, home is a wonderful place. A rambling villa set in beautiful gardens that I share with Yana, my gorgeous, talented and intelligent wife and a used-to-be-wild white tomcat called Jack. (Jack White). Jack, like Rocky, keeps coming home battered from fights he should not be getting into at his age. I know exactly how he feels.
At my age I probably shouldn’t be planning to do the things I am. After all, does anyone really care what a seventy year old might be doing creatively? Isn’t it time I sat down and shut up? Perhaps. But I’ve always been the kind to swim upstream and see no reason to stop now. After all, isn’t swimming upstream all about spawning? Why can’t it be about spawning new work?
So for my birthday I make you, my friends, this promise:
In my seventies I will release a book of collected short stories and at least three albums worth of new songs. I’ll probably put the songs directly online because, I’m assured, no one buys albums anymore.
And since I am now confined to home, after a great many years of abstinence, I will return to my roots, take up the brushes and begin to paint again.
I have no great aspirations for any of these activities but they should keep me amused and might even bring joy to others.
Finally, wouldn’t it be wonderful if one or more of my new songs won an award or two. That’d be one for the old buggers, wouldn’t it?
Something to aim for, don’t you think?
You are , and was a beautiful man . 💜
Hey happy birthday John. You are a principled, generous, talented and good human being.
Thanks Elizabeth. You seem to be enjoying America. You appear more content.
John I have admired you since your debut album. Higher Trails, I still have it and constantly play it Plus a great compilation CD of your work. I recall a phone interview with you I felt very blessed speaking with you for Waikato Times back in the early 90s All the very best and I truly hope a donor provides you with a kidney. Have a super and blessed birthday
Thanks for your kind words, Steve. Do you have the Best of CD released by EMI or the double CD collection AFTER THE DAM BROKE released by ODE? The latter has a broader selection on my work. Either way, rest assured there is more to come.
Lovely to read, John, and I look forward to witnessing that magic that comes from your ‘70s. I hope I am similarly inspired when I attain your age.
Happy Birthday John 70 years young – have fond memories of the Jacka days – keep swimming! Kirsty
Thanks Kristy. Some of us have good memories of the Jacka days, others not so much.
Just a state of mind Stephanie. As is often said, (albeit that it appears gender specific), Don’t let the Old Man in 🙂
Dear John, I love this overview from you – I admire your talent and your courage very much.
Keep up all the creativity and the fight to get that transplant – one never knows and there has to be a reward for your courage.
I’m hoping that in late January I might just be able to drive out to see you – we are in NZ with friends from Toronto and I am hoping to bring them out to see Aucklands West Coast beaches and beauty.
I’ll give you an idea closer to the time.
Much love for your three score years and ten- I’m already there and Yvonne is exactly one month behind you 😍😍
Have a lovely day with Yana
Love
Stu and Yvonne xxxxx
Thanks for your kind words, Stu. I know how much you like and know about music and great songwriters so your words have real substance to me. I look forward to catching up. The garden should be nice in January. You’ll both enjoy that.Best Yvonne for her big day. WE MADE IT!!! Much love, John
Happy Birthday John, my thoughts are with you, I wish you well, take care my friend.
We all have targetsJohnand yours are admirable and I reckon despite your health problems you will achieve them because of your creative bent,and we the public will get a share of them,As an aside I am wondering what music you are listening to these days?and also what is your 3 favourite albums of all-time?.
Thank you Mike. My favourite albums list would be long and my musical tastes are wide although those who sing their own songs would dominate. Today I manly hear new music when exploring YouTube. So many great songs that never get radio airplay. In general the pap on radio takes away my will to live. One day I’ll list my favourite artists in a blog. My worry is that I’ll miss some, the list is so long and would even include Rachmaninoff.
How great are you John! I look forward to your next songs and paintings. Would be great if you are able to get a new kidney. Sometimes we get lucky.
My darling Stanley!
As one who has already crossed the ricketty bridge of 70 (on my way to 71 in a few weeks), I applaud your ambitions and wait to see them come to fruition with excitement! I didn’t know you’d got married…now that’s an excitement you should have shared xxx We should always keep planning. Age is such a weird thing. I didn’t want to do anything for my 70th…couldn’t see anything to celebrate. But now I’m a good year in, I think it is something to celebrate. I’m still here for a start; I’m blessed with reasonably good health and I have an amazing husband whom I love to the end of time and a handful of great friends (you being one of them). We’re planning another trip to the Outer Hebrides next year, which is very exciting. Life is good. For all of us who are still alive, I say go for it and do whatever you can to make the most of it. Love your emails, Stanley. Keep them coming. Love you, T xxxx
PS Ron sends hugs
I’ll post a picture of Yana and I soon, Stella. She’s notoriously shy. Much love you both. Stanley
I still buy CDs. Instead of the downloads. But I guess not everyone is like me. A young 64 year old…
Happy Birthday for tomorrow, John.. Last week we were watching a documentary about A Dam in Hawkes Bay… we need to sing YOUR song again!! Crazy stuff happening still.
Hope you have a great day… and an even better year to come XXX
Happiest birthday John. You Sexagenarian!! I hear 70 is the new 60.
Let’s hope so Elliott.
Happy birthday John from another on the edge. I wish you well with your projects and the painting. Would love to see, read or listen to what transpires from your reflections. Life has some really shitty bits you have no choice in. Keep your sense of humour handy and your wits sharp and continue to write your stories to share.
I have always loved your music John and look forward to hearing your new albums. Best of luck with your health issues.
Thank you, Shona
Ah John, 70 hey. I remember your 60th like it was yesterday. There’s something to be said for creatives- you like your art, music, stories never seem to age. And if it does, it’s more the meaning and resonance and appreciation of that talent, that gift, that grows rather than ages. You are unique among the many, a true inspiration that comes from the biggest and brightest heart. May you continue to enrich the world with your ideas, your words, your actions, your tenderness and your love. Here’s to another decade of your gift to the world and to those who are fortunate to know you as a true friend.
So flattering. Thanks for the memory.
Blessings on the birthday John. May you find joy and the energy to pursue your purpose and continue to share your wise insights in word and song, flying in your imagination beyond the damn machine to bring back hopeful prose so we can share your wistful dreams.
Thanks Keith
Keep writing new songs, John ! ….. and I guess it’s time I got back into writing new songs, too.
I assume that your time on the golf course is now virtually zero. I should have organised that long awaited game with you last year. Hope you had a great birthday young fella. Must call in to view your beautiful garden one day. Good luck mate.
I still play regularly,Terry, and love it albeit that my game isn’t what it used to be. We will play soon. I’ll be in touch.
Happy birthday John! Are you originally from Whakatane and lived on Matakana Island many years ago? He was good lookin like you too? Went to school in the late 50’s and 60’s ! Enjoy each day and I pray you get a new Kidney soon! Jonah Lomah did and let’s pray for favour for you too Sunshine! Keep singing and make some new Albums!
No Marie, that wasn’t me.
Good on you John. We have to keep going otherwise, what’s the point? Look forward to your new songs and in the meantime, you might like to check out a couple of mine. I have a new album (So Far Gone) available on streaming sites in about a week’s time. Like you, I think I keep getting better at this music thing. And I’m older than you! All the best…
I look forward to that, Al. Are you only releasing online or will there be a CD?