a little tribute.
Chances are if you know Kate McGarrigle's name, you also know that she passed away last night.
If you don't know the name, she was a folk music legend here in Canada, along with her sister Anna. Many of us remember The Log Driver's Waltz from years ago. She was also mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright.
It's horrible when anyone loses their parents, but there's something especially sad about this, and I think it's because both Rufus and Martha were both extremely close with their mother. Both cared enough to bring her on tour with them frequently. They assured that, if anyone was to be a fan of either of them, that person would also appreciate their mother.
I was lucky enough to see Kate a number of times, twice with Martha and at least four times with Rufus. I met her once, more or less, but was in such shock from having just spoken to her son, my favourite person in the world, that I didn't appreciate it all that much at the time.
It will be strange, the next time I see Rufus perform, to know that he doesn't have his mother hidden away backstage to come perform a few songs with him. And I sincerely hope that he, and Martha, are alright. Here's a note Rufus posted on his website about his mother's passing.
Here's a song Rufus wrote for her: Beauty Mark
And here's my favourite song of hers: Talk to Me of Mendocino
Rest in peace, Kate.