This tribute is from Ronald Beaton and it really lovely, thank you Ronald!

1st August 2009

To be offered a chance to pay tribute to Lena Zavaroni with a few words is a great honour.  I asked myself, "What could I say, and how could I phrase it to do her memory justice?"  Then the thought occurred to me, 'What did Lena Zavaroni mean to you, Ron' and the answer was clear. 
She was the best friend I never had!

Lena Zavaroni first came to my attention when, as a young boy, I watched her on a TV talent show called Opportunity Knocks, which she won five times.  Mor e than her singing, it was her charm, smile and personality that not only captured the attention of the UK audience, but also my heart.  Whenever she appeared on TV I always tried to be there, listening and watching her, enchanted by her smile.  She not only charmed the UK, but also Japan and the USA. Growing up in and era of Punk Rock music, I was often mocked by my interest in her.  In those days I would sit by the TV, a hand-held tape recorder pressed up against the single speaker, recording her performance, whilst my brothers grumbled and moaned at what may have been considered an obsession.  Sadly these tapes, as well as some correspondences were lost when I moved house, many years ago.

Before the internet, the only way to follow her progress was through the media of newspapers and magazines.  About a year ago I discovered a site dedicated to her and was obsessed by it.  At that time I really hadn’t been aware of You Tube, but after I discovered many of her videos posted there I had a new-found obsession!  I admit that I would sit by my PC, watching her videos and crying like a baby, unashamed of my emotions.  Curious about my interest, my daughter asked me, “What is it about Lena Zavaroni that you like?  Why are you so interested in her when no one else is?”  (My wife’s taste in music is not like that of mine). My reply was simple and straight from the heart, “She was the best friend I never had.”   Having suffered from Depression and negative opinions about myself, I could relate to her somehow.  I’d never met her, but the joy she gave me with her performances was magical, and her smile lit up my heart.  I’ve never been a confident person, so how could I have helped her through her pains when even those loved ones around her couldn’t cope.  How could I approach her and help her though her doubts when I had no control of my own?   She once sang “You needed me?” and it was true, I needed her in my life, but more than that she needed someone to help chase the demons from her mind.  She wanted so much to live like normal people do, doing what they love and being content with their surroundings, (that’s why she underwent surgery), but in her mind a destructive force blighted her future happiness.  I wasn’t there when she needed me, but she is there for me, on channels like You Tube, and CD recordings, singing to me with her bright eyes and glowing smile, helping make my days all the better for knowing she was a small part of my life.  Even from beyond the grave she shows me the friendship I never had when she was among us.  I might not have been able to have helped her when she was alive, but at least by being a member of her web sites, of viewing her postings on the internet, as well as keeping her alive in my heart, I can help her to live.  Those who worked with her:  the dancers, singers, producers and directors, knew the professional Lena, and their accounts help her live through them.  They are lucky to have these strong memories of her; the rest of us must be content to simply hold her in our hearts, where she will live forever, free from pain and suffering, knowing only joy! 

Ronald Beaton, (Lena Zavaroni fan).

The following tributes are from my old website:

"It is a privilege for me to be able to write a tribute for Lena Zavaroni - someone whom I admire more and more as each day passes. Ironically I am not as much saddened by Lena's passing away. Instead I feel inspired and uplifted by her music, personality and her life. She was and still is a very special person and when one takes the time to listen to her voice and music, one can only get impressed with her talent. Real talent never dies. Personally, I never met Lena but only saw her once when she was a ten year old singer on the Johnny Carson show. That night I could have easily not turned the TV on but I did and was instantly attracted to her. However, I never followed her career as I lived in Toronto, Canada and there was not much information on her. Only a couple of months before Lena passed away, I had this sudden urge to want to see her. After weeks of searching, I was able to contact her relative Margaret Zavaroni in Rothesay whom I spoke to on the telephone. I was informed Lena was just admitted into the hospital. Margaret sounded concerned but I never imagined that the situation was so grave. I wrote a letter for Lena which I was supposed to mail to Margaret and she would forward to Lena. However, I later thought that I would mail it after Lena got out of the hospital. When I learned that she passed away, I was quite affected. I felt I was close in contacting her and then she was suddenly taken away. I find it odd how I suddenly wanted to see Lena again after so many years. It almost feels as if some angels above knew they had to take her and they were sent down to inform Lena's fans and friends in different ways. I believe the soul never dies but moves on to higher stages of growth and eventually all souls connect again at the source - and without a doubt Lena is still with us in our thoughts. Lastly if by fate I was able to have met her, I think I would have been a bit nervous (but I'm not that shy), and I would have hugged and probably even kissed her (of course with her permission) and would likely have said, 'it's such a pleasure to meet you - you brightened up my childhood days - when is your next performance?' and maybe even a tiny tear would have secretly shed."

 

The following tribute was sent to me by Kevin Steel.

"When Debs asked me if I wanted to write a tribute to Lena Zavaroni, I thought, me? who am I to comment on the marvelous child star, who's voice made the world sit up and take notice. Well I'm just a fan, someone who loves Lena and her music yes, but never the less just a fan. Of course it all started years ago with "Opportunity Knocks", when I first heard Lena sing,"Wow what a voice", I thought, and still do. I mostly remember the TV shows Lena did, I loved them all. I had the chance years ago to see Lena live in Bridlington, foolishly I missed my opportunity, and that is something I will regret for the rest of my life. So I never met Lena and never saw her perform live, but I feel so close to her, it's the warmth and love she generated through her singing. The closest I have felt and still do, is in the town of Rothesay on the beautiful Isle Of Bute, where Lena was born. I have spent my holidays there for the last two years, since Lena's tragic death. Lena touched many of us with her beauty and her unique singing talent, she may have left us now, but she will always remain with us in our hearts. I'm sure Lena would like us to remember her for the beautiful person she was and not the awful illness that controlled much of her life.

God bless you Lena, you will never be forgotten.

Thank you Lena, from a humble fan."

 

The following tribute is from David Plastow

"Like Sid, I also liked Lena very much. I thought she was wonderful, I still do. I still feel very sad that she is no longer with us. I too very much wanted to meet her. I suddenly had the urge to try and get in touch with her. I had this awful feeling inside of me that I was running out of time. Sadly I was right and could not believe it when I heard she had died. I cried nearly all day. However, I was lucky enough to have got in touch with her and she wrote me two lovely letters which I will treasure forever. She had a wonderful voice and gorgeous face and seemed like such a nice person. I miss her now and I always will".

                                  This one was sent to me from Robert Elliot.

"Although most of the songs that Lena used to sing in the early part of her career were not always my 'cup of tea', I always enjoyed Lena's voice. It was amazing how such a powerful and strong voice could come out of such a little lady. However, I did enjoy a lot of her later songs and especially her shows on television. It felt like her television show performances always came straight from the heart. A few months before she died, I had a very strong dream that she needed help. I felt that something had died inside of me when she went. Although I am English, I was living in Scotland when she was doing her television shows and it felt like my last connection with Scotland had gone when she died. I think it would be a good idea each year if people sent some prayers to her on her birthday so that she will know that she is not forgotten down here".

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