It’s Bill Danoff’s birthday today. I only know that because he is, most likely, the only member of our class whose birthday is listed among famous people and celebrities on websites and in newspapers, etc. You know, “Notable birthdays today,” stuff like that.
Each of us, of course, is special. And probably most of us have been blessed with successful and happy lives. But I think you would have to agree Bill Danoff is the most famous member of our class. And not because he was vice-president of our class.
In case you had not followed his career after Cathedral, Bill continued to make music, as he did on many occasions at school (examples from PantherPix at left, and leftmost in the header photo). His career, which you can trace at billdanoff.com, includes writing many successful songs (among them, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Afternoon Delight”), and has brought him two Grammy Awards.
The anecdote may not be accurate, but I remember hearing or reading that Bill, who graduated from Georgetown in 1968, once said he would have been the most famous member of that class if it wasn’t for some guy named Bill Clinton. I think Bill Danoff nailed it for our class.
And, of course, best wishes to all of you, as well. 🙂
It’s rare that an individual is equally gifted with Left AND Right brain function. Bill’s skill with instruments is matched with wonderful lyrics.
One of Bill’s “outlier” songs, “Dearest Esmeralda,” has always been my favorite…even more apropos as we move along:
“I slept one rainy night with you in Paris
Made up for a thousand wasted years
Dearest Esmeralda, you are magic
I close my eyes and you make love appear.
…
Masterpieces crumble, empires tumble down
Refugees and fantasies go underground
Romance lasts forever, love don’t fade away
They may take our future, but they can’t stop yesterday.
Cause somewhere in the cloudy skies of Paris
We were part of some artists design
Dearest Esmeralda, you are magic
In the gray around me how you shine….”
Happy Birthday, Bill!
Bill Danoff: What nice thoughts from my old classmates. Love to you all. Sorry I couldn’t get there for the reunion.
Happy Birthday, Bill Danoff.
Be sure to send your amazing profile to Bill for the blog. AND definitely be sure to attend our Golden Gala Reunion on October 11.