Dennis on JY/Miss America/Music Critics
From his Facebook page.
Hey kids, I just came across the Rolling Stone review of the Grand Illusion album by Joe Fernbacher from 1977. This guy singles but one song out on the album and that's Miss America. No mention of Grand Illusion, Foolin' Yourself or Come Sail Away, the three songs still being played on radio today. But being completely wrong about his musical prescience is really not the issue, it's his ignorant and malicious evaluation of the songs lyrical content that enrages. He accuses JY of being a misogynist ( woman hater) based on his interpretation of the lyrics. At this time JY and I were best friends traveling together by car to many drivable Midwestern cities and sharing motel rooms to save money. Roomies. I witnessed first hand the agony and feeling of helplessness he endured as his beloved wife Susie was stricken with Porphyria a disease for which there is no cure. She nearly died and she has bravely dealt with health issues ever since. Through it all he was by her side taking over when Dr's had no answers. To this day he has been by her side through everything. A mensch if ever there was one. She was his Miss America and the lyrics reflect that using the metaphor of a beauty queen (which she was to him) who had lost her crown. Every chorus ends with the words "Our love". I suggest you reread his lyrics with that in mind. If this Fernbacher character is still alive he owes JY an apology. Cheers D