The following tribute
is from Sid Kashyap who comes from Toronto, Canada.
"It is a
privilege for me to be able to write a tribute for Lena Zavaroni
- someone whom I admire more and more as each day passes. Ironically
I am not as much saddened by Lena's passing away. Instead I feel
inspired and uplifted by her music, personality and her life. She
was and still is a very special person and when one takes the time
to listen to her voice and music, one can only get impressed with
her talent. Real talent never dies. Personally, I never met Lena
but only saw her once when she was a ten year old singer on the
Johnny Carson show. That night I could have easily not turned the
TV on but I did and was instantly attracted to her. However, I never
followed her career as I lived in Toronto, Canada and there was
not much information on her. Only a couple of months before Lena
passed away, I had this sudden urge to want to see her. After weeks
of searching, I was able to contact her relative Margaret Zavaroni
in Rothesay whom I spoke to on the telephone. I was informed Lena
was just admitted into the hospital. Margaret sounded concerned
but I never imagined that the situation was so grave. I wrote a
letter for Lena which I was supposed to mail to Margaret and she
would forward to Lena. However, I later thought that I would mail
it after Lena got out of the hospital. When I learned that she passed
away, I was quite affected. I felt I was close in contacting her
and then she was suddenly taken away. I find it odd how I suddenly
wanted to see Lena again after so many years. It almost feels as
if some angels above knew they had to take her and they were sent
down to inform Lena's fans and friends in different ways. I believe
the soul never dies but moves on to higher stages of growth and
eventually all souls connect again at the source - and without a
doubt Lena is still with us in our thoughts. Lastly if by fate I
was able to have met her, I think I would have been a bit nervous
(but I'm not that shy), and I would have hugged and probably even
kissed her (of course with her permission) and would likely have
said, 'it's such a pleasure to meet you - you brightened up my childhood
days - when is your next performance?' and maybe even a tiny tear
would have secretly shed."
The following tribute
was sent to me by Kevin Steel.
"When Debs asked
me if I wanted to write a tribute to Lena Zavaroni, I thought, me?
who am I to comment on the marvelous child star, who's voice made
the world sit up and take notice. Well I'm just a fan, someone who
loves Lena and her music yes, but never the less just a fan.
Of course it all started years ago with "Opportunity Knocks",
when I first heard Lena sing,"Wow what a voice", I thought,
and still do. I mostly remember the TV shows Lena did, I loved them
all. I had the chance years ago to see Lena live in Bridlington,
foolishly I missed my opportunity, and that is something I will
regret for the rest of my life. So
I never met Lena and never saw her perform live, but I feel so close
to her, it's the warmth and love she generated through her singing.
The closest I have felt and still do, is in the town of Rothesay
on the beautiful Isle Of Bute, where Lena was born. I have spent
my holidays there for the last two years, since Lena's tragic death.
Lena touched many
of us with her beauty and her unique singing talent, she may have
left us now, but she will always remain with us in our hearts. I'm
sure Lena would like us to remember her for the beautiful person
she was and not the awful illness that controlled much of her life.
God bless you Lena,
you will never be forgotten.
Thank you Lena, from
a humble fan."
The following tribute
is from David Plastow
"Like Sid,
I also liked Lena very much. I thought she was wonderful, I still
do. I still feel very sad that she is no longer with us. I too very
much wanted to meet her. I suddenly had the urge to try and get
in touch with her. I had this awful feeling inside of me that I
was running out of time. Sadly I was right and could not believe
it when I heard she had died. I cried nearly all day. However, I
was lucky enough to have got in touch with her and she wrote me
two lovely letters which I will treasure forever. She had a wonderful
voice and gorgeous face and seemed like such a nice person. I miss
her now and I always will".
This one was sent
to me from Robert Elliot.
"Although most
of the songs that Lena used to sing in the early part of her career
were not always my 'cup of tea', I always enjoyed Lena's voice.
It was amazing how such a powerful and strong voice could come out
of such a little lady. However, I did enjoy a lot of her later songs
and especially her shows on television. It felt like her television
show performances always came straight from the heart. A few months
before she died, I had a very strong dream that she needed help.
I felt that something had died inside of me when she went. Although
I am English, I was living in Scotland when she was doing her television
shows and it felt like my last connection with Scotland had gone
when she died. I think it would be a good idea each year if people
sent some prayers to her on her birthday so that she will know that
she is not forgotten down here".
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