Singer Hoyt Axton

* Since his death (obituary, Oct. 27), people have been recalling what a kind man Hoyt Axton was. I know firsthand that it’s true. In the ‘70s, Axton did a concert at UCLA and it was my assignment to interview him afterward for the Daily Bruin. Although he was obviously tired after the show, we had begun what promised to be a good interview when we were joined by the young woman who had handled the concert arrangements for UCLA. Axton asked her if she had liked the show, and she replied she’d loved it, except she had barely heard her favorite song, since she was still closing the box office.

Axton asked her which song she meant, and when she told him, he very politely excused himself, took her by the hand to a quiet corner in the room, picked up his guitar and sang the song to her alone. He then came back, apologized for the interruption and finished the interview.

A.M. SOLOMON

West Los Angeles

* In 1982 I produced a benefit for Indian education at the Kennedy Center, called “The Night of the First Americans.” There were over 30 major stars and a cast of hundreds appearing on the show. The only rehearsal took place on the afternoon of the performance and was fraught with problems both real and imaginary. I was standing in the middle of the audience sorting out schedules, wardrobes and the sizes of dressing rooms, when a man tapped me on the shoulder and introduced himself, “Hi, my name is Hoyt Axton. This is my guitar and this is my tape. I will just sit over here and wait for you to call when you’re ready for me. I am a low-maintenance act.”

Would that all performers were so ego-driven. I am forever grateful to Axton for that act of kindness.

HARRY WATERSON

Encino