07/21/2023
TJ (who loves music more than almost anything): “What kind of music do you like?”
Mike Boccacino: “I don’t like music.”
TJ: “You don’t like music?”
MB: “No.”
This was consistent with the fact that he never listened to the radio in his truck, even when he was driving around 8-10 hours a day. But I didn’t buy it. I was determined to find music that he would accidentally admit that he liked.
Looking for a quick victory, I started with Sinatra (a near sure thing with gentlemen of a certain age). No dice. Upon further reflection, Mike’s reserved (grumpy?) personality would have made him more of a Dean Martin guy. Not even close. He enjoyed a social gathering…. Big band jazz? Hated it. Quiet jazz? Even less!
Abandoning the mission many weeks later, I dropped in Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits. Track one: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”
When I turned around to head to the dinner table, I noticed a completely surprising expression on Mike’s face given I had just turned on the stereo: a contented smile. I looked at him wearing a question mark.
“I like this one.”
Rest in Peace, Tony Bennett. You cracked the toughest nut.
