9/10/08
Dear Amber and Britney- This is a bit out of left field but just recently I was thinking of your dad, (as I do often) and then by extension, of you two. When last I saw you both, and I’m sure you don’t remember me, you were just a few years old.
My name is Wally Nichols and years ago, starting in 1991, when I was just out of college, I worked with your dad at Atlantic Records. I have some very fond memories of him, some that I’d like to share with you. I pick now because I myself have just become a father and I have a much more keen appreciation of the father-daughter bond than I did before. So when he was always talking about you both and how cute you were and how much he loved you, well now I get it even more! I also picked now because you both are probably about 18 and old enough to be curious to know what a neat guy your dad was from a different perspective.
Let me just say up front that I have rarely met such a playful, spirited, competent fellow. Yet there was a lot of seriousness as well. He was one of the only people to show up to work always wearing a suit. And not just some number off the rack—He wore the finest tailored suits he could get his hands on (even on the hottest most insufferable days)! Always impeccably dressed. He chose to professionalize an industry not necessarily known for its professionalism, and he held the line in a very classy way. His efforts paid off consistently. His rise in the ranks of the music biz was meteoric. Some took 20 years to achieve what he did in just a few. He came in as the new guy from a successful career in radio and took the record industry by storm. He wasn’t intimated by ANYTHING! Some part of this was a natural talent for knowing what to do with the songs he was given to work. Some of this was his natural ability to connect with the folks at radio, the folks whose job he knew quite well. Some part was that he just ‘got it.’ But besides all that, he was a very social and confident guy- a delight to be around almost all of the time! (I’m allowed to say ‘almost’ because he was human!)
He was a prankster and loved playing jokes on people. Never mean spirited but always with a good natured jab. This endeared him to many. He always had a great comeback, he was quick on his feet with a smart (and smart ass!) comment. He was a sharp fellow and a true lover of life. I’d say Bon Vivant except he worked too hard.
He loved Chinese food more than anything (except hockey maybe). He ordered in way too much of it (the Maitre D would actually give him a hug when we went in person!) and when he started feeling chunky, he insisted that he and I go out and buy rollerblades so we could skate/ play hockey in Central park during our lunch break. (He only went out a few times but the skates were there in his office for years! As a result of his prodding, I became a huge fan of blading and did so everywhere in NYC!). Everyone loved being around him, from co-workers to the huge rock stars he’d take around town. We all loved him because he was so much fun. He really lit up a room when he walked in.
One time we were with INXS at the Rigah Royal hotel. Steve and I had had a long day (beating off the screaming teenage fans at radio- think Hanson and Jonas Brothers!) and he really wanted to get home to you guys. The band insisted on doing Jaggermeister shots and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think Steve was absolutely hammered. I however, knew enough to watch your dad out of the corner of my eye. What he was doing was genius- The bartender would pour shots, the boisterous band members would rowdily insist that we participate, and your dad, who had to drive home but also had to be cool with the band, carefully threw the shots back over his shoulder onto the bar surface, (and once accidentally on the bartender) roaring with the guys in the bar and carrying on. I loved that. He was very good! Played the situation perfectly. Then when the band couldn’t get off the floor, he got in that crappy old white Trans Am (or Firebird??) that he loved so much, and drove home safely to his wife and kids. (Who knows, maybe you’ll use that trick in college!)
One of the things I remember so vividly was his ability to brush off things that were not really all that important in the big picture. For instance- we had a weekly conference call that some 40 folks would be on. It was conducted by a hard ass guy who had precious little patience for anyone not knowing exactly what was going on in their market. He would berate those on the line who hadn’t done their homework or closed the deal with radio fast enough. His reputation was legendary in the biz for making grown adults cry. This was a high pressure , potentially humiliating situation to say the least that stressed folks out 6 days before the call. Even those who had been taking the call for years were always nervous Tues evenings. Steve’s first week on the job was classic: He kicks back at his desk, and calls me in (I was his assistant- he hadn’t hired me but had inherited me from the person before and we got along quite well). He hits the mute button on the speaker phone and says, “This is bullshit. I’m taking a nap. Wake me up if Lou calls my name.” I couldn’t believe his moxie. I thought he was NUTS! But he’s snoring in seconds and I’m scribbling notes furiously waiting for the ax to fall. (I really didn’t want to see this new guy get fired his first week. Lou (the guy) calls out a question for the NY rep (Steve). I panic and slap his feet (which were out of his wingtips and thus stinking up the office!). Steve tumbles out of a deep sleep, pulls the answer out of thin air, gets Lou off his back and is back asleep in seconds. One cool customer. He knew the material cold.
He was always up on his information. That gave him the confidence to go as far as he did in the business. I can only imagine the heights he would have achieved if he had not gotten sick.
He was generous to others, yet also could be strident and impatient. It was part of his character. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who insisted on having fun in life more emphatically, and more consistently, than Steve. And as I say, it didn’t come at the expense of success .
He took me and some others to Giant Stadium and got us into a very fancy VIP booth to see U2. First class the entire way. He was with his great friends from out of town (I’ll let them identify themselves if they chose!) and they were having the time of their life. Before I knew it, they were having a first class food fight and laughing so hard they were almost crying. It was beautiful (and cost about 2k in damages!). Classic Ellis. And the laugh… It was sort of a high pitched cackle. You could hear him laughing (as he frequently did) a few offices (and city blocks) away. Great stuff.
I remember discussing a business trip he was prepping to go on. For some reason we were talking about plane crashes. I thought it was interesting-- He said, “Hey, Wally, if I die, I’ll really miss my kids but I’ll get to see my dad sooner.”
My point in telling you all this is that your dad was a very special guy and I wanted to share my memories with you. And I’m just one of a lot of folks whose lives he deeply touched. I’m sorry you didn’t get more time with him but hope you both got some of the playfulness and joi de vivre he had so much of. He spent much time talking about you both and telling us all how much he loved you . We also heard about all the little things that you guys were doing on a daily basis.
I hope this finds you happy, curious, smart and playful young women. I know Steve would be very excited to see how you have grown and what your lives are like.
One of his favorite expressions, which he yelled loudly in the halls, was: “Who Lovvvvvvves Ya????” I’m sure you both know the serious answer to that!
Take care and tell mom (Mary Ann) I said hello. I wonder if she remembers me!?? And if you can, drop me a line and let me know how things are going!
Cheers,
Wally Nichols
Cwn4@aol.com
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