The World Loses Another Great

What I'm listening to right now: She's Like the Wind, by Patrick Swayze and Stacy Widelitz

This evening made a sad turn this evening as word spread that 57 year-old Patrick Swayze had passed away. Swayze had been battling these last two years with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer.

Swayze was born in Texas in 1952. His mother Patricia Karnes was a choreographer, dance instructor, and dancer. Throughout his childhood, Swayze learned artistic and athletic skills. He studied ice skating, classica ballet, and gymnastics. He also started acting early in various school plays. He later completed his formal dance training in 1972 after moving to New York City.

Swayze's best known roles as Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing", Dalton in "Roadhouse" and Sam Wheat in "Ghost" where mere stepping stones in his astounding career.

You may be asking, "Jenna, why are you blogging about this actor and fantastic professional dancer in your music blog?" Well, dear reader, this is why: because he was also a singer-songwriter. I know, I know...It's hard to believe. Believe, dear readers.

Swayze and Stacy Widelitz co-wrote the hit song She's Like the Wind, which Swayze performed for "Dirty Daning". She's Like the Wind reached #3 on Billboard Hot 100, #1 on Adult Contemporary and was considered a hit song all around the world. Just as surprising as the film's sucess, the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack was #1 for 19 straight weeks. NUTS, I tell you. Have you seen the music video? Check it out at the bottom of the page...

It's also worth mentioning that Mr. Swayze was voted People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1991. Well, duh.

One other thing I would like to say, is that Mr. and Mrs. Swayze were married in 1975. And still are. How many Hollywood couples lasted even remotely that long? Exactly. Not many. I think that's a beautiful thing. To get through and rise above his stardom and stay together is extremely admirable on both their parts. It wasn't uncommon to see them dancing together either. To tailor to my own hopeless romanticism and for you all to enjoy a beautiful photograph, I chose to share a picture of Patrick and his wife, Lisa dancing.

As I sit here and reminisce about the first time I watched "Dirty Dancing" in my friend's living room, feeling like we were watching something we weren't supposed to be, finding "Roadhouse" on the DVD shelves at the public library, and remember staying up to catch "Ghost" as the late night Saturday movie, I can't help but smile a little.

Ditto, Patrick.