LISTEN to my November 23rd, 2021 WIOX show for my conversation with poet, music critic and founder of Parnassus Records, Leslie Gerber on his collection of poems Losing Tara, An Alzheimer’s Journey, published in 2020 by Post Traumatic Press, in honor of his late wife, writer Tara McCarthy. Leslie and I will also listen to and discuss recordings released under his independent label Parnassus Records.
“The spouses and loved ones of patients with dementia experience a devastating emotional burden as they watch them decline. Leslie Gerber has taken the unusual and compelling step of publishing the poems he wrote in honor of his wife during her tragic course. This is an eloquent way to memorialize their times together and also her most human qualities, which dementia progressively destroys.” - Dennis J. Selkoe MD, Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School
Leslie Gerber was born in Brooklyn in 1943. He was graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in creative writing. For 39 years he ran a mail-order classical music business, Parnassus Records, while writing thousands of music reviews and articles. Leslie’s most recent CD release is “Black Swans,” recordings of the earliest African American classical performers. In 1970 he moved to Ulster County and has lived there ever since. He began writing poetry in 1999. In addition to his latest book, Leslie had published two earlier poetry collections, Lies of the Poet and The Edge of Sleep, both published by Post Traumatic Press. Leslie has three daughters, two granddaughters and one great granddaughter. He is a proud member of the Goat Hill Poets, founded by Cheryl A. Rice and himself. He lives in Woodstock New York with his dog Winnie. Website: www.lesliegerber.net.
Planet Poet’s erudite and endlessly interesting Poet-At-Large Pamela Manché Pearce will also join the show this month with her musings on poetry, art and life.
Season 3 Episode 6
Leslie Gerber - Losing Tara
LISTEN to Season 3 Episode 6 on Spotify