Leon Russell and the Shelter People – "Stranger in a Strange Land" (1971)

He’s a stranger in a strange land

Just a stranger in a strange land

[NOTE: It’s become traditional for me to celebrate the birthdays of my wildly popular little blog by interviewing myself.  In the last 2 or 3 lines, I told you that I had decided to divide up this year’s anniversary interview into three installments – but that was a lie.  This year’s interview is actually going to have four parts, not three.  Today, we’re presenting part three.  Part four will follow forthwith – or if not forthwith, in a few days.]

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Q:  I think we’ve teased our readers long enough.  It’s time to spill the beans about the very significant change in your life that took place about a year ago.

A:  I agree.  Sadly, my wife of 40-plus years and I separated last November.  I’ve been living in an apartment since then.

Q:  Do you say “sadly” because you didn’t want the separation to happen?

A:  I say “sadly” because I regret that things got to the point where I felt that a separation was the best course of action.

Q:  So it was entirely your decision?

A:  Yes, it was.  My wife disagreed with my decision at the time, and she still does.  I have a lot of guilt about making her so unhappy, but I felt like I had to do what I did. 

Q:  So tell us why –

A:  I’m going to stop you there.  I’ve said about all that I feel comfortable saying about my separation for now.  

Q:  I’m sure it was very painful, and I understand your reluctance to divulge all the details.  But your readers aren’t going to be happy if you don’t give them anything more.

A:  Maybe I’ll have more to say in the future, but not right now.  It took me almost a year to admit even this much.  I’ve shared more with my kids and a few close friends, but I’m not sure anyone else has a need to know at this point.

Q:  Is it true that you signed up with a couple of dating websites after your separation?

A:  It is.

Q:  Tell us about your experiences so far – any good stories to tell?

A:  Yes, but I don’t think I’m going to share any of them here.

Q:  Geez, this interview is sooooo boring!

A:  Whatever.

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Well, that was pretty disappointing.  Hopefully, 2 or 3 lines will be a little more forthcoming in the next installment of our interview, when we’ll ask him about the rumor going around that he’s been approached to star in the second season of The Golden Bachelor reality TV show.

In the meantime, you can click here to listen to today’s featured record.  

Click here to buy that record from Amazon.