Thursday, February 11, 2016

Yes, I Love You


Randy Luck
Yes,  I Love You
Angelo Ventura, Dauphin BMI

Orch. & Chorus Directed by Steve Pulliam

Ace A-117
1957

In 1956,  Irwin Luck. student at the University of Miami and aspiring songwriter, spent $850 he saved and borrowed for a Times Square billboard appeal to Perry Como to hear his songs.   The 20 by 60 foot billboard on the top of a four story building fitted with lights for the night displayed the painted handwiriting of the sign is adressed to Perry Como from " a fan of yours for a long time" "It is through your unknown inspiration that I started writing music, and I feel that my songs might be just right for you", the appeal said. 

Como advised him to go back home and study, which he did.  On his next trip north he got an engagement at Grossinger's (a resort in the Catskill Mountains in the town of Liberty.)   It was enough to convince Johnny Ponz, Ace Records mahoff to sign Irwin Luck to a disking pact, changing his name to Randy Luck. 

The following year, in 1958, he recorded his better known release, "I Was A Teen-Age Cave Man".  Recorded for the local Miami Art label, the song is available on several rockabilly compilations


Irwin Luck with Meher Baba in India


In 1959 had found out about Baba the previous year from his younger brother, Edward, who had been in a New York City public library and “by chance” checked out a book titled Listen, Humanity. Edward phoned Irwin and said, “I just read a book about a Spiritual Master in India. I think this is someone you should know about.”

Irwin was already interested in God and felt himself inwardly guided by Him. He went to New York and after reading the book was impressed by Baba’s love and his statement that he was “the Highest of the High.” Irwin and Edward were determined to meet Baba and to know him as he really is.

In late 1959, Irwin contacted Fred and Ella Winterfeldt. As soon as he entered their apartment he “felt an incredible sense of well-being. Baba’s presence was intense.” He wrote to Baba, stating that he was planning to make a trip to see him, though he had little money. Within two weeks he received a reply from Baba, which stated: “You may come and see me for one hour only,”

Irwin got the amount needed and in 1961 left within a day. Though he had originally planned to travel with his younger brother, their father put an end to Edward’s coming by having the New York police stop him at Idlewild Airport just prior to their departure. They had not told their parents they were going, knowing they would object, and since Edward was still under legal adult age (21), his father was able to prevent him from leaving.

Irwin Luck is a Baba-lover ever since.   But you can't really count on Allan Y. Cohen for answering the burning question that has been on your mind since you started reading this : WHO IS A BABA-LOVER?
It is very difficult to define a Baba-lover. There are no formal or external criteria for followers of Meher Baba, no ceremonial initiation, no fee to be paid, nothing to sign, no membership cards to receive. No formal vows are taken to join the Baba family. No rituals, customs, or dress is required of a Baba-lover. There are no mandatory readings, meditations, or meetings. There is no required formal preparation, nor are there "tests" for membership. Nothing in a person's past necessarily disqualifies him or her from being regarded as a Baba-lover.
 

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