"From the Roadhouse and My Heart..."

I was sad to hear earlier today that singer Julee Cruise has died at 65. As the ethereal singer at the local roadhouse, Cruise’s presence was essential to the mood of Twin Peaks, my all-time favorite television show by a great measure. And, as anyone who loves Twin Peaks knows, mood is everything.

Twin Peaks happened at a moment that was perfect for me to fully absorb it, which is why it has remained my favorite show more than 30 years since I watched the debut in the spring of 1990. Dad and I watched it in the darkened family room at 325. Dad and I had lots of great times together in many situations over the course of his lifetime, but the two of us, mostly quiet, sinking into the world of Twin Peaks that night is a Dad-and-me memory that I love as much as a Special Agent Dale Cooper loves a cup of coffee, black as midnight on a moonless night.

Later that year, Julee Cruise did a concert tour that brought her to Philadelphia. For whatever reason, I didn’t go to her show but some of us met the singer at an in-store signing event at Third Street Jazz and Rock. From what I remember, Julee Cruise seemed to be enjoying that moment.

~217~