By far the greatest musical influence to me, I think that the biggest tragedy is the fact that I didn’t know he existed until ‘04, having lived outside the US for 6 years.
Since then, I’ve come to listen to most of his songs, from his big studio hits to his obscure covers performed in coffee houses in the Portland area.
If I had one wish it would be to talk to him, for however long. A minute, 30 seconds, an hour, however long it took me to tell him that he’s saved me more than once, and that from the bottom of my heart, I love him and everything he’s done.
Going to the wall is something that I have to do before I die, no questions asked.