In the 1980’s, when I moved to San Francisco, creative souls were everywhere, up and down the city’s hills. Some of them became a permanent part of my life. I’m grateful for time spent with people who love what they do, whatever they do, generous souls who share their talent. I’d like to introduce you to some of of them from time to time.
My friend, Barbara Wetteland, a glorious singer, passed away a few months ago. I miss her awfully. I met her through her husband, Ed, a Bay Area keyboard legend. In the 1980’s I lived on Green Street in San Francisco, a few blocks up from North Beach and I tripped over to Washington Square Bar & Grill (“Washbag” to media folks) so many times a week I ought to be embarrassed about it. Ed played piano there, holding forth from a space that barely contained him. He was a giant of a man with a big booming laugh, a piano-playing genius who could expound on any subject while taking requests, except when he wasn’t in the mood, and then he played what he pleased and didn’t chat.
“Washbag”
Ed and Barbara fell in love and began performing together all over the Bay Area. After every gig they drove away from the city lights, returning to their log cabin in Sebastopol.
Barbara was feisty and restless and loved making things, from soup to needlepoint, embroidery to gardening, quilting to songwriting. She created this for me as a table runner, but then she borrowed it back to enter in the Sonoma County Fair. She took home a ribbon and was as proud of that as any song she ever sang.
Sweet B has now joined Eddie, taking their music to another stage. Please do click the links below the pictures and hear The Wettelands.
Ed at Bohemian Grove playing beautiful music under beautiful redwoods.
Barbara (right) and me at Candlestick Park in the 1990’s waiting for Ed to warm up his keyboard out on the pitcher’s mound where the two of them performed the national anthem.
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Barbara and Ed: “But Beautiful”
Ed alone: “Our Love Is Here To Stay”
