So Far Away... 40 Years Ago Today

I was 17 years old & a junior in high school. I had just completed a run as the Old Indian in The Fantasticks (the 1st of the 5 productions of this show that I would do in my lifetime), I had just been accepted as the youngest ever company member at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre (an event that would change my life in a major way). I had decided to come clean to my girlfriend that I was gay, & I had just had my 1st expereince with LSD. A heady time indeed, as if it wasn’t enough just to be a teenager in 1971!

One of the things that got me through the river of emotions & hormones running through my young Stephen’s brain was listening to Tapestry. Every single song on this landmark album spoke to me. Tapestry by singer/songwriter Carole King was # 1 for 15 consecutive weeks, which is the longest time for an album by a female artist to occupy that position, & it remained on the charts for 6 years. Tapestry has sold over 30 million copies. In 1972 the album won 4 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year for It's Too Late, & Song of the Year for You've Got A Friend. I still listen to Tapestry & it still moves my heart & my feet. Tapestry was released 40 years this month.

Carole King has been a big part of my life all that time. Today she turns 69.