Tag Archives: famous people

Sunday Notes & Letters for Week 23

While I didn’t grow up listening so much to the likes of Minor Threat, Fugazi, Sonic Youth and Hüsker Dü, my brother Ryan did. So I am familiar with some of the music. When Ryan and his wife moved to their current home in Arlington, VA they quickly learned that they lived only a block away from the house where Minor Threat and Fugazi got their start. In fact, on more than one occasion, he has mistakenly received mail for frontman Ian Mackaye.

I saw this tweet last week:

Photo: @FooFighters

Photo: @FooFighters

Dave Grohl, living in Springfield, VA, was just 14 when he sent that letter to Mackaye. And it was probably sent to the house next door to Ryan and Mandy. Grohl didn’t post more than the last page where he asks the Mackaye to give him a call – between 3-10pm no less! I love it. I’ve read a few things that insinuate that they are friends today. Very cool.

Thirty-two years later, Grohl is now one of the most successful musicians on the planet. Enjoying early fame from his days as the drummer for the band Nirvana, today he’s been leading Foo Fighters for more than twenty years.

 

Day 140: David Letterman

“There’s not a man, woman or child in these United States of America who doesn’t enjoy a nice cold, refreshing beverage.” – David Letterman

They wouldn't let me in to meet Dave this morning or even leave this letter for him, so I took a moment, paid my respects to the legend and dropped the letter in a mailbox in front of Times Square.

They wouldn’t let me in to meet Dave this morning or even leave this letter for him, so I took a moment, paid my respects to the legend and dropped the letter in a mailbox in front of Times Square.

I’ve been saying that quote for 25 years – and it’s just as true today as it was the first time I heard Dave say it.

I’m in New York City today and it’s Dave’s last show so I thought I would go by the Ed Sullivan Theater to say farewell and good luck to my friend. With my bags in tow, I hiked up from Times Square to 54th Street and Broadway – it will be sad not see the iconic blue and gold Late Show with David Letterman marquee lighting up the block. It’s been there since my first visit to the Big Apple.

Dave and I started hanging out when I was about 13 or 14 – he spent a lot of time in my living room during the summers when I could stay up late. We don’t spend as much time together any more – I feel he changed, or maybe I changed. Who knows. And frankly who cares? None of that changes the feeling of sadness that I have today as an era comes to an end.

And what about Paul Shaffer? Maybe I should have written him, I guess he’s out of a job now too. He’s been there, donning his bizarre outfits, right next to Dave since the very beginning. I should have added a postscript to my note to Dave, “Please share my regards and best wishes with Paul.”

Day 140

Dear Dave,

Day 140-4I came all the way from Washington, D.C. to personally say thank you for entertaining us for the past 30 years. You changed the landscape of late night television. Best of luck in all of your personal and professional future endeavors.

Thanks for the laughs and the memories,
Reed Sandridge

By the way, if you want a to see a vulnerable side of Dave that you rarely see, check out this interview with New York Times’s Dave Itzkoff.

Day 135: Postmaster General Megan Brennan

Actor and activist Danny Glover was the recipient of my letter  yesterday. Glover, whose parents and brother worked for the U.S. Postal Service, was here in D.C. to encourage people to stand up for postal workers.

So today I thought I’d do just that. This is my second letter to Postmaster Megan Brennan – my first one was on Day 51.

Day 135

I stand with Postal Workers 

Postmaster General Brennan,

Postal service is declining, offices are closing, letters are taking dramatically longer to be delivered. I urge you to not reduce hours, improve wait time in line, bring delivery times back to where they used to be and explore innovative ways the post office can be relevant in a digital world. Your organization is vital to vibrant communities.

-Reed Sandridge