The Ron Nasty "Get Well Soon" Thread | Page 11 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

I wish I had Sir Paul’s talent to write a “Here Today ” for Mark.

Ron Nasty was probably the most important person in my life that I’ve never met or seen. Ahhh Girl showed me a picture of him recently. Not what I imagined.

Based on my preconceived notions of what someone with encyclopedic knowledge might look like, I pictured him somewhat unkempt in a dark room sitting at a dimly lit desk endlessly correcting mere mortals with their limited knowledge.

Many years ago, when I’d just written Into the Sky, Mark actually read the whole book, and in his inimitable style, immediately pointed out 20 or so typos and little incorrect factoids. A typical comment would have been something like, “The Beatles could not have been in Berlin on June 6th because they played in Stockholm that night. They would have arrived on the 7th.” I was somewhat mortified, but when he told me he really liked the ending, I felt better. I eventually sent him the 2nd edition, at which point he promptly pointed out “errors” he’d missed the first time. Of course, I never checked to see if he was more correct than my sources, but what the heck, I gave him points for perseverance. We did talk a couple of times, so at least I have his voice in my head.

As Ahhh Girl pointed out, I don’t think anyone of us had any idea that he was on the way out. I wonder if he even knew. Could he have been gone in a blink of an eye? It is a shame when you don’t get at a chance at a last goodbye.

“I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn’t come
There never could be a better moment
Than this one” (This One, McCartney)

So for me, I reflect not just on what he did for me but what he did for all of us. And I use this opportunity to tell you all how I much I love this site and love you all.

“If you were here today

Oooo, ooo, ooo, here today”