Lady Kathryn

When Jimmy returned from a visit to Britain, where he had enjoyed visiting a recording session with the Beatles, as well as working with Richard Harris — he brought back a visitor who would come to stay at the house, and eventually stay in Hollywood. Kathryn James, came to be known as Lady Kathryn and was an import from England that came to stay. It was about that time that a recording of JRR Tolkien, reading his elven poetry, surfaced at the house. I always wondered whether she brought that from England.

She took the little room off the kitchen and I was moved to the basement, which wasn’t that bad. It was quite comfortable and even little more private than before. It didn’t have it’s own bathroom, but given a choice between me and Lady Kathryn…. well you know who was gonna go to the basement.

Kathryn became friends with many musicians in town. I remember one memorable night, when she was escorted home from an evening spent out with none other than Tiny Tim (best known for the song "Tiptoe Through The Tulips"). Kathryn went in to bed and left Tiny Tim and me standing in the kitchen. He had his ukulele with him. He asked if I would like to hear some songs and for the next hour or so, into the wee hours of the morning, I enjoyed a private concert. He played the songs he loved and I was privileged. He was a kindly and gentle soul. I was sorry to hear about his death in 1996.

Kathryn eventually moved out of the house, and I kept in touch with her. I actually became her babysitter at times. It is an experience I had while babysitting for her that moved me to put some of this on paper (or web, as it were).

A few years ago I drove across country 5 times, from coast to coast. I was working for a company that marketed Comcast and I traveled to work in different markets. You know how crossing the country makes you run through radio stations (unless you have Sirius)? For example, while crossing Arizona, I came upon a Navajo station. I listened until I got out of range. But I digress. On night, traveling a quiet stretch of road, I came upon a music show hosted by none other than Alice Cooper. His show Nights With Alice Cooper, brought back a flood of memories. Including the night that I met him.

I had babysat for Kathryn while she went on a date with Alice Cooper. The Alice Cooper above is probably who you think about. But the Alice Cooper to the left is probably closer to the guy I met. When they came back home, I think he felt sorry for me, that I hadn’t enjoyed any of the evening’s festivities and sat down with me. We played board games late into the night. He told me how he had come to have the persona of Alice Cooper. I am sure this would make a great story at this point… but remember, it’s the 60’s. Anyway, the evening stuck with me and when I heard him on the radio, I thought… yeah, I’ve had some experiences. Why not share them?

So there you have it… the motivation.