My copy of La Bamba: A Visual History by @merrickmortonphoto from @hatandbeardpress arrived. It’s stunning! It has photos I never knew existed. And it captured the incredible experience that making La Bamba was. It took me right back to that summer we shot the movie. This is a must for any La Bamba fan.
I had known Eric for decades. He was a key member of a vibrant, close-knit group of friends who had forged their bonds in Chicago and were making a go of it in LA. James and I were lucky enough to spend a lot of time with these talented and vivacious people as we were all endeavoring to carve out a place in this world. I was always happy to see him at a gathering because I knew he would make the birthday party, boules game or hootenanny way more fun. In quiet moments, when I found myself next to him at a bar, on a couch or in a kitchen somewhere we would bond over our shared love of the esoteric. Our conversations always left us surprised by how much we had in common.
But it wasn’t until 2019 when I called him to ask if he wanted to write an adaptation of my long held passion project, The Cinnamon Bear, that our friendship finally kicked into gear. When his response to my query as to whether or not he had ever heard of the original 1938 children’s radio series, was to sing me the theme tune, we knew this was going to be so much fun. That this ended up being his last produced writing could not be more apt. Not only did he unleash his extraordinary, well-hewed, comedic writing skills on what felt like a culmination of all that he loved and cherished, he also gathered an awe-inspiring array of friends and colleagues to join our party. That’s when it hit home for me just how much love there was for the guy, that my crush on him was something shared by so many.
The last time we were alone together was this last Valentine’s Day. I am the lucky person who got to have dinner with him that night at a place near his home, where the entire staff showered us in free drink and food and were simply overjoyed he was there for a visit. I couldn’t ask for a better night. I will treasure it forever.
When, as the days, months and years go by, you find yourself really missing Eric, I would suggest listening to Cinnamon Bear. It is all of him wrapped up in one joyous, fantastical tale.
