TJ
12-27-2002, 06:36 PM
Sorry, I didn't post this sooner - I am way behind on e-mails and he sent this on the 24th.
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Hi to everyone on line, and a very Merry Christmas...
Please forgive my laziness, for not greeting you all sooner, as I have no excuse. Yes, I have been busy, but aren't we all? I have just been flat-out lazy, and I refuse to excuse myself!
I just wanted to share a moment with you all, about me and Freddie...Though he would try and hide it, Freddie was a real "sentamentalist" and loved the holidays. He, like most big stars, would have his secretary buy gifts for him for certain friends and co-workers, but I can honestly say...whatever Freddie gave me...it was from him personally, and from his heart!
When we first started the show, in our first Christmas together in 1974...Freddie had given all the cast members of "Chico" gifts, except me. I thought it was just an oversight, and didn't think much about it. But everyone else noticed, and they felt bad for me. They all thought maybe Freddie was mad at me or upset with m,e for some reason.
Well Freddie knew I liked playing the Harmonica, and at the last minute, he gave me a giant box, all wrapped up. One box in another, and another, and so on, till it came to the last box, and it was a little one...He had got me a blues harp, and actually coined the phrase, "Blues Brothers"....even before Beluschi and Ackroyd. Freddie said, "Zak"
You and I are going to be the "Blues Brothers"....Brotha...so you better start "Honing" up....(the harmonica was a Honer brand)
Freddie was so clever. He was a genious, and not just because I worked with him am I saying it...He was a genious ahead of his time, and all who knew Freddie, especially the master comedians like Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, and even George Burns...all knew it, and were in awe of him, because he was so young....yet had a knack for timing.
Needless to say, Freddie never forgot Mando....his friend! He pulled me to the side and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said to me...Zak...Mando....Isaac, or whoever the Hell you are...I love you, and we will be friends forever...You and Me...
"Chico & Mando"...and brother, we are on top of the world!
He then wished me and my family a Merry Christmas, and again hugged me, and as he was walking out of the dressing room, he turned and looked at me and gave me a hi-fi, with a fist and said..."We are....the Blues Brothers"...you and me, carnal...
(carnal means brother)..He smiled at me with that famous "Chico" smile...and exited.
Freddie will always be remembered at Christmas time in the Ruiz household, and I always say a toast to my brother Freddie who is waiting for me in Heaven...(though I hope he waits a long, long, time...Ha Ha Ha)...and Freddie, will always be Mando's...
"Blues Brother"....God Bless you all, and a Very Merry Christmas, and prosperous New Year...your amigo, and "Blues Brother"...Mando
------------------------------------
Hi to everyone on line, and a very Merry Christmas...
Please forgive my laziness, for not greeting you all sooner, as I have no excuse. Yes, I have been busy, but aren't we all? I have just been flat-out lazy, and I refuse to excuse myself!
I just wanted to share a moment with you all, about me and Freddie...Though he would try and hide it, Freddie was a real "sentamentalist" and loved the holidays. He, like most big stars, would have his secretary buy gifts for him for certain friends and co-workers, but I can honestly say...whatever Freddie gave me...it was from him personally, and from his heart!
When we first started the show, in our first Christmas together in 1974...Freddie had given all the cast members of "Chico" gifts, except me. I thought it was just an oversight, and didn't think much about it. But everyone else noticed, and they felt bad for me. They all thought maybe Freddie was mad at me or upset with m,e for some reason.
Well Freddie knew I liked playing the Harmonica, and at the last minute, he gave me a giant box, all wrapped up. One box in another, and another, and so on, till it came to the last box, and it was a little one...He had got me a blues harp, and actually coined the phrase, "Blues Brothers"....even before Beluschi and Ackroyd. Freddie said, "Zak"
You and I are going to be the "Blues Brothers"....Brotha...so you better start "Honing" up....(the harmonica was a Honer brand)
Freddie was so clever. He was a genious, and not just because I worked with him am I saying it...He was a genious ahead of his time, and all who knew Freddie, especially the master comedians like Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, and even George Burns...all knew it, and were in awe of him, because he was so young....yet had a knack for timing.
Needless to say, Freddie never forgot Mando....his friend! He pulled me to the side and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said to me...Zak...Mando....Isaac, or whoever the Hell you are...I love you, and we will be friends forever...You and Me...
"Chico & Mando"...and brother, we are on top of the world!
He then wished me and my family a Merry Christmas, and again hugged me, and as he was walking out of the dressing room, he turned and looked at me and gave me a hi-fi, with a fist and said..."We are....the Blues Brothers"...you and me, carnal...
(carnal means brother)..He smiled at me with that famous "Chico" smile...and exited.
Freddie will always be remembered at Christmas time in the Ruiz household, and I always say a toast to my brother Freddie who is waiting for me in Heaven...(though I hope he waits a long, long, time...Ha Ha Ha)...and Freddie, will always be Mando's...
"Blues Brother"....God Bless you all, and a Very Merry Christmas, and prosperous New Year...your amigo, and "Blues Brother"...Mando