A Heath Memory from A Regular Jay
[Plus VIDEO]
Source: PasteMagazine
Written by: JaySweet
Originally Published at 10:54 PM on January 23, 2008
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (UT) - I’m taking a break from the quad burning treks up Main Street in Park City to write a few words about Heath Ledger. Before the tabloids and rags rip this young man apart, I wanted to share my memory of meeting this very unique and original person.
I was standing off to the side of ?uestlove’s drum riser during the Roots cover of Dylan’s “Masters of War” at the I’m Not There fundraising concert last fall when Ledger came up to me and started playing air drums with utter abandon. With no worry about appearances, no worry about knocking into the other two dozen actors and musicians crammed into the same small space on the side of the stage “coolly" watching the band tear the roof of the mother, Ledger started a full whole hearted head bang.
Emboldened by his sincerity, I did what anyone else would do, I started ripping my air Gibson and stomping my foot. After the show finally ended we went outside into the alley with a bunch of smokers and reviewed the show like true music geeks. When I offered him a ride to the after party, he looked down at the ground and after a full dramatic beat looked back up and delivered a line with the power and emotion that made him such an exceptional actor, “Nah man, I’m going to go home and see my loved ones.”
Rock Steady and RIP
Here is video of Heath at the INT Benefit Concert, introducing the band:
To see the INT Fundraising Performance by the Roots that this article mentions: CLICK HERE.
Thanks, Frank, for posting the article.
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