June was amazing! She came whirling into New York one Christmas, and learning that I would be alone, she whirled around picked me up from my apartment, and off to the airport with a ton (and I mean a ton) of luggage. They had delayed the flight for her, but that was lost on her and it was very amusing when we were all seated, that she responded to the Pilot's apology for delay in take off due to some late arriving baggage, "see, we didn't have to rush, they were late anyway!".
And another wonderful memory is of the turbans she wore back stage at concerts. At the Albert Hall there was a large room with two exits/entrances and when she appeared with a double turban, green on bottom with huge blue sapphire in middle and blue on top with an emerald and a feather, Carlene and I did not even think twice, we didn't look at each other, but disappeared out of the separate doors and met and fell into hysterics.
A lovely, lovely woman and Tiffany is so much like her.
It was a wonderful Christmas. Carlene and I shared a room with four poster beds. The house went around in a circle. And I kept getting lost. Christmas lunch, with Roseanne Cash and her husband, Rodney Crowell. June suggested that he sat next to me, but Roseanna insisted he sat next to her. Carlene's half-sister, Rosie was was there (sadly, she died a few years later).
I had to have lunch with Johnnie in New York when he heard that I was going to manage Carlene (I was also running Chrysalis Music, but Carlene didn't have a manager and had an album coming out on Sony, and I was better than nothing. Frank DiLeo was the Promotion Mana and unfortunately, he was sexist and pushy.
It was a wonderful lunch with Johnny at a cafe on Park Avenue. I think I had ice cream.
The evil Jack Craigo (whose wife had come into the previous record company he worked for - think it was RCA - and had shot him) detested me and was a bully. He did not like the fact that a lot of the managers and artists used to hang out in my office.
We had a lunch one day for Pat Benatar and I remember her manager, Rick Newman (also owner of Catch A Rising Star comedy club) commented on the fact that Jack was not very pleasant to me.
Anyway, back to Christmas in Hendersonville, which was absolutely wonderful.
Carlene and I also travelled to Rose Bay, Jamaica where Johnny and June had this wonderful house. We were all sitting in the windowless wood paneled dining room - when flying bugs suddenly flew across the room and we all had to duck. They were there to perform a concert in aid of one of Jamaica's children's charities. Carlene performed too.
After they left, because security was so expensive, it was cheaper to stay in one of the hotels. Carlene would insist on driving the golf cart every day (never let me have a drive) from the hotel to the beach. One of the best holidays/vacations I have ever had.
Carlene has always been a wonderful and generous friend to have. We had a lot of fun. Driving back to the airport I noticed that she had a joint stuck in her straw hat's head band.
I travelled with Carlene to New Mexico, when Howie died. She was so very sad. She left me there for a few weeks. One day I went to the front of the house and a man that she had warned me was a murderer had got in through the gate.
Drove back to Los Angeles, however, I cannot remember who with.
Sadly, I was with Carlene when she got the news that her mother had died.
I was to see Johnny again, when I visited Hendersonville with Carlene. He was about to sign his CD with his amazing version of "Hurt" on it when he got a phone call. I had the CD, but no signature.
With Carlene I visited him in hospital. He commented to me on how many people congregated in his room. I think he was a little tired of it.
Sadly, he died.
After I left Imago, I managed Carlene again and was able to negotiate some good deals for her, including with the wonderful Jim Ed Norman (who I counted as a friend at one point). Iving Azoff was also interested him. Have always respected Irving and the wonderful Susan Marheim, who still works for him.
I cannot remember why I stopped managing Carlene, however, I did.
I had a good few years living in the wonderful historic area of Brondesbuy in a two bedroom flat.
I had lost confidence and had to have help with rent.
Neville Farmer rented he second bedroom.
In the middle of the night, when Pricess Diana was killed, I received a call from my brother, David who asked for my help in his divorce and custody battle with his wife Jody.
This was a thankless task, however, I loved looking after Vanessa and Samantha.
My confidence had gone and my memories of that time have faded, except to remember that we lived at one of Park La Brea's houses on the outside of the gated community.
Another time.
