I started drinking when I was 41, because I learned then Bryan Ferry took a drink. Impressionable age and all that.
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Glad to hear that you were still impressionable at 41!

I shall look forward to having a smoke with you when I finally get to buy you a pint one day!

Smudge, SB,

Your comments have made me smile and made me recall various phases of my life and the influence of BF and other heroes; I know it's terribly bad for you, but I have some fantastic memories and associations with smoking.

These days I'm a a B&H gold man, my partner is the only person in this city that smokes St. Moritz - as I did when "Another Time" came out.

Other brands and why I smoked them, between the ages of 17-20:

Gitanes - Bowie poster, great haircut and he's wearing a crucifix, taken when he was filming The Man who fell to Earth. Quite a few "ordinary" newsagents used to stock this brand, but they are harder to get these days. Fabulous packaging.

Chesterfields - various James Bond books. Disappointing flavour and naff packaging.

Lark - John Lennon. I loved the American soft packaging and the explanation about the unique charcoal filter containing thousands of tiny charcoal pellets. Could only buy these from one specialist tobacconists back home. Great flavour but ripped my throat to shreds!

Senior Service - An interviewer mentioned BF was smoking them. Far too strong, and the first time I actually became aware of tobacco stench.

Marlboro - Bowie again

Kent - Saw a billboard advert for them in the background on a Bowie documentary and just loved the packaging, you could get these from the specialist shop,in different packaging and sizes, always got attention when you opened the pack in the pub.

What a sucker eh?!

In reporting upon the postponement of BF's Tel Aviv gig, an Israeli website recently stated:

"The former Roxy Music lead vocalist was scheduled to launch his European concert tour on April 19 in Tel Aviv, but was hospitalized for 34 hours and underwent catheterization last week."

This is the first report I've seen that provides such specific information regarding BF's recent hospitalization. Catheterization is a procedure often used to help diagnose heart-related issues. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_catheterization

Here's a link to the original story:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340 ... 63,00.html

I hope that BF will be okay soon..

Hindi Song Lyrics

Fags, cigs, smokes, call em what you will are big killers you know! I used to smoke, some of the brands mentioned above. Quit twelve years ago after deciding that you most likly wouldn't look "cool" having a heart attack with the remnents of a Marlboro stuck out yr gob. Also do a bit of volunteer work at the local hospice. Having seen some of the poor folk in there, if that doesn't put you off smoking then god help you. I know, nothing worse than an ex smoker banging on! Seriously, I wish BF would knock em on the head before its too late.

It can have a relaxing or calming effect once you're hooked. But inhaling a load of smoke can't do anyone any good. UnfortunatelyIt smokers (and Drug addicts) convince themselves that as they are still alive it can't be that bad.