John Etherington wrote:I'm beginning to feel somewhat concerned again for the man at the centre of all this, and whether he's able to maintain his invincibility!
I think I understand your concerns but there does seem to be several factors in play. The tours have been received with overwhelming appreciation and joy from each and every audience, and I think this is in evidence from his reaction to the audience. Simply, LC is loving it! A writer, a poet, and a singer who, in his advancing years, can still move an audience - almost his reason for being. He feels the reaction from fans. The need to boost his pension fund has long gone.
I once went to see Leo Ferre in Paris when he was a similar age to LC- and was still touring (albeit not worldwide). When he first came on the stage, it was as an old man, arthritic and stiff. Three hours later, he was bestriding his world as the audience raised the roof after each and every song. It was if he was soaking up the life force from all those there and growing with it. From where I was sitting, I could see his wife in the wings, trying to call him off the stage, to no avail. I see something similar in LC.
Many of us here are aware of our own mortality. What should we do? Grow old gracefully, or leave our friends and family agog as we rush out of the door shouting 'I'm off to Barcelona, New York, Cracow, etc for a couple of days', and bundle ourselves onto cheap flights and into 'interesting' hotels because they are near the venue. We do it because we want to and because we still can. And, I think that pertains to LC as well. He is well looked after and protected on tour and has a huge inner strength and discipline. As I said above, he is loving it and making the most of life. If, at any point he felt that too much was being asked of him, then he would stop. Hope that makes sense!
