Timothy C Lind expressed that Joe Ely used to see his concert on the steps of the Monterey Auditorium and saw people smash Sweet Tarts on his guitar.
The female cheerleader didn’t like the bullying and asked the principal to get rid of the guys who were harassing him.
The friendship between Timothy C. Lind and iconic singer-songwriter Joe Ely is a story rooted in the streets of Lubbock, Texas.
Their story began at Monterey High School, where Lind, a year behind Ely, would perform concerts on the auditorium steps, and Ely was an early attendee.
Their connection deepened at Ely’s family home near the Lubbock post office, where Lind met Joe’s mother, stepfather, and brother, Mark. He forged a personal bond beyond the schoolyard.
After Ely left school to join the circus, they found themselves riding freight trains across the country, sharing the ultimate symbol of rootless freedom. Though their paths diverged, the connection never broke.
Lind recalls their last meeting in 2005 at a concert in Redwood City, California, where Ely performed with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.
He watched his old friend on stage from the audience and later, reunited, chatting with Joe, his wife, Sharon, and brother, Mark, as if no time had passed at all.
We have very sad news to report. Ledge’s longtime friend Joe Ely has passed away. Joe and Ledge knew each other since high school, and Joe was always kind and supportive of Ledge and his music. Sending love and support to Sharon Ely and all of Joe’s family and friends. 💔
Timothy C Lind
Also, see: Jasper HS Cheerleader Jasmyn Lorey Passes Away Unexpectedly Due To Relentless Bullying
A Small Act of Kindness on the Steps of Monterey High
Timothy C Lind’s story offers a snapshot of teenage life in Lubbock, Texas, where future music legend Joe Ely was a spectator to an unusual mix of budding talent and bullying.
He recounts holding his own concerts on the steps of the Monterey Auditorium.
Lind’s audience was a rowdy bunch.
They’d smash Sweet Tarts on his guitar and throw coins through the soundhole, making the strings buzz and zing. Joe used to watch the incident from the side.
Amid the chaos, a female cheerleader emerged as a defender. She took it upon herself to go to the principal, disturbed by the harassment and ask for the bullies to be stopped.
Sadly, Lind never had a chance to meet her, and wondered who his quiet champion might have become.
There was a female cheerleader that went to the principal and asked him to get rid of the guys that were harassing me, because she didn’t like the way I was being treated. I never had a chance to meet her. She could have turned out to be Mrs. Legendary Stardust Cowboy for all I know.
Timothy C Lind
Joe Ely was in the Silvertones band and played at the Music Box while Lind played in the parking lot to get the customers warmed up.
They tried to get him into the Music Box, and one of the members from the Silvertones paid his way inside. However, the people running the club weren’t fans of his music and told him they would kick him out if he tried to entertain.
