Monday morning I heard her sing it again, her performance preserved on video tape from the night she sang to Johnny Carson.
I was 15 when Johnny took over the Tonight Show from Jack Paar and to me he defined class as I understood it then - as I understand it now.
Class, I think, is a combination of talent, professionalism and humility - and Carson had all of those blended with humor.
"Herrrrrre's Johnny!" - a phrase, an introduction that belongs to history now,
to recall he who brought all those laughs to so many for so long, a record 30 years.
Yes, Carson was a private person but I like what I heard about him Monday when
the announcement came that he was gone.
It was said he didn't want to become a caricature of himself.
He was genuine, the real deal, and that is also an ingredient for class.
I won't add to the eloquent accolades and tributes from all the notables, friends and fellow entertainers who knew and worked with him.
I just have the memory of a young Atlanta boy who grew up watching him on the Tonight Show.
When the news of his death came, I felt a bit older and sadder, and at first, I reacted
with disbelief and denial that he was gone.
"One More for the Road."
I'm going to remember that song, as much as I
will always remember "Herrrrrrre's Johnny!"
Jerry Gunn is a reporter for WDUN NEWS TALK 550, AM 1240 SPORTS RADIO THE TICKET, MAJIC 1029 and accessnorthga.com.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/2/141291