Anyone know about the reference Harry made at the end of today’s show regarding someone having died?

his dear old friend Don Powell

:P

I too am interested to know more.

It sounded a little cryptic, but sincerely personal.

With a little over 3 minutes left in the broadcast Harry seemed to be fumbling through sound clips, then Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings begins to play.

After a momentary pause he continues:

“but I’ll be alright, sorry, a little confusing here because nothing has changed…

...and yet something has. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Le show audience and my personal family are greatly diminished by the absence of one this week.
it’s a private matter it’ll stay that way but I want to thank everybody who sent good wishes
and to those who haven’t (apparently not to be the phrase he intended) and to those who’ve chosen not to, thanks for your honesty”

He goes on to close the show in more the usual manner.

Harry, we’ve never met, but listening to you in my head(phones) every week leads me to think of you as a friend I just haven’t met yet.

Please accept my warmest heartfelt wishes for you and your family for your loss.

Vern

When I was listening this morning to my saved podcast of last week’s show, and I suddenly heard a few strains of David Frishberg’s “You are There”, it brought tears to my eyes.

Harry, I’m so sorry for your loss,

Barny

I believe I may have figured out who it was that Harry lost. I took me a lot of “connecting the dots”, but I believe it was John Brunious bandleader for The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

John’s second line procession was held the previous Saturday in New Orleans.
Le Show rebroadcast an Interview with Allen Toussaint, also associated with Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

While I’m not absolutely certain, the pieces all fit. The question still unanswered relates to the cryptic “thanks for your honesty” message.

My thought was that perhaps Harry’s mother had died. The online version of the Sunday, February 24, 2008, issue of the Los Angeles Times had a death notice for Dora Warren with just the words Hillside Mortuary and a phone number. There were no biographical details nor names of next of kin to verify my theory. Harry, my condolences on your loss and my sincerest apologies to you and your family if I am mistaken.

The May 11, 2008 episode of The Simpsons, Mona Leaves-a, was dedicated to Elsie Castellanetta and Dora K. Warren.

A nice tribute in that episode, particularly the montage at the end.

Harry, I’m sorry for your loss.

Did anyone try asking Harry directly? By “directly” I mean via e-mail.