Photo: Fred Prouser/Reuters/Los Angeles Times — Actor Patrick Swayze poses with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 18, 1997
Fans are dropping by the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of Entertainer Patrick Swayze today, sharing memories and leaving behind flowers, candles, and other tributes. Swayze died yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The actor, dancer, and singer was only 57.
Swayze appeared in a number of films like”The Outsiders” (1983), “Road House” (1989) and “Point Break”(1991), but a little musicial love story called,”Dirty Dancing” (1987) made him a star. My favorite Swayze film is the romantic thriller, “Ghost” (1990). Swayze was terrific as a dead investment banker who comes back to Earth to protect his lady love, played by Demi Moore. The handsome actor was named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991.
Earlier this year, Swayze stared as an undercover FBI agent in the cable TV series, “The Beast.” The show was canceled in June when Swayze became too ill to work. Swayze is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa.
Years ago my clients brought their struggling actor friend “Buddy” to me to record a song they wrote. Buddy Swayze soon became my friend too. The song was “She’s Like The Wind”.
Mark Stevens on drums. Zeke Zirngable on guitar. Denny Belfield on bass. Stacey Widelitz co composer on keyboards. Wendy Fraser co composer on BG vocals. Buddy on vocals.
He worked so hard to get those vocals perfect. To get the right evocation of emotion. The hard work paid off.
They allowed me to experiment with drum and echo sounds that gave the record “punch” and a contemporary sound.
It’s one of the best records I ever made.
There is a bond between people when you create art together. Whenever Buddy saw me in later years he would always treat me like a respected friend. It was so sweet. I will miss him.
John,
Thank you for sharing some of your memories of Patrick Swayze the singer. The recording of “She’s Like the Wind” was included on the soundtrack of the movie “Dirty Dancing.” The song became a top 10 hit.
While Patrick is in heaven now I don’t feel anymore pain, we the living are feeling the pain. I didn’t know him personally but only knew he through his work. I feel for Lisa, his wife, who knew him well and was the true love of his life. May god bless you Lisa. You must remember that life is for the living. In death, they rest peacefully watching from above. They do not want us to cry and suffer.