folkdeejay wrote:It would have been possible artistically, without doubt.
I personally think his big error was not to play The Last Waltz gig when he was invited to, with all those (now) legendary musicians that wanted him there, as a peer. Which he was. He had a reason, but imo it was misguided - I suspect not one single member of the audience at the nearby gig he chose to honour the same night would, if asked, have told him not play the bigger gig. He would have been seen by those who didn't know him as up there with the other players who are now, almost without exception, world-renowned artists. But he palyed a small college gig instead. In this case, his humility/loyalty to the first booking was misplaced - but it was his decision.
Its all speculation though...
That's another what if . . What if, while touring with Delaney, Bonnie, etc. they had decided to play Woodstock? They discussed it at the time- I think that may have been one of those occasions that involved Eric Clapton as well.
Yes, The Last Waltz- I don't know anyone who didn't go see that one as soon as it was in theaters. Rory's loyalty to his fans was one of his endearing qualities, but you're right- Even then, his fan base was pretty supportive of him, and no one who ever saw him play would begrudge him that opportunity-
When you look back at his past, and all of the different choices he made, it's all too easy to speculate what could have been. But that's true in every person's life. It's not healthy to dwell on the past and think about what you could have or should have done, because no one can go back. I've often wondered when viewing his later performances what was troubling him so, and I bet that was one of the things that weighed so heavily on him. Second-guessing what he did, what he should have done, all those what ifs . . .
Rory died young, but he certainly left his mark on the world. He did more in his 47 years than most of us will do in our entire lifetimes. He saw the world how many times over? Helped and inspired many other musicians and artists, and touched how many thousands of lives with his own? He was a kind, gentle person and he set an example for how people should treat each other. IMHO his life was too short, but it was well lived.