He Almost Fired Me

Today Farrah Fawcett would have been seventy years old.  The daughter of a Corpus Christie, Texas oilfield contractor stunned the world in 1977 with the iconic poster you know so well that sold over 20 million copies.  I bought one at the Galleria in Houston and hung it up in the radio control room in Beaumont, at the rock station I worked for then.

The next day when the boss saw it I got a phone call at home to report to the station immediately to take down my 'vulgar' poster.  This was a rock and roll radio station, but it was still only 1977 and a more 'polite' society.  He went on to say he was a little disappointed in me and he was a little bit let down.  (...not the first or last time I've heard that lol...)

This is a rock and roll station I was thinking to myself.  Further, he would let me know later in the day whether I should report back for work or not later on that night as my 'behavior' might not be a 'good fit' for the... rock and roll station.  My behavior was upsetting to some of the other staff members.

I'm a Real Rebel I thought... now I just need a Real Cause.

By coincidence I knew a fellow at college, who lived in the Spring area of Houston, near Ms. Fawcett and her husband Lee Majors. My friend worked at a local grocery store where the couple shopped often, and most always late at night.  The only point to this part of the story is Ron took my poster, along with a dozen other of his friends and would get her to sign them while they were looking for beans and rice.  He said she was always really friendly; him not so much.

Well, I kept my radio station job but not for long as soon other and better opportunities opened up and I left on my own accord for bigger and better things, as did Farrah Fawcett. Charlies Angels became a smash TV hit, and later she showed her acting chops in other roles including some pretty good dramatic ones.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2006, she fought it hard and lasted until June 25, 2009

Oh, I suppose I get the last laugh on my old boss, that little bathing suit she was wearing in the vulgar poster me and 20 million others liked - is in the Smithsonian Institute now. Take that! Chuckie and I'm still the same Rebel, but a little more achy in the knees and back...  All right... truth is, a lot more achy.

Happy Birthday!  Miss Farrah Fawcett.