You Say Nyro and I Say Nyro

I'd always pronounced it "Nigh-ro." I guess I'd never heard her name said, only read it. I listened to her music for years before I learned it's "Near-o." Like hero.

I can still recall the first moment I became aware of Laura Nyro. I was sitting in my car in a parking lot on the SUNY Farmingdale campus, waiting for my brother Jim to get out of a night class. I had a public radio station on (about the only way to hear anything interesting on Long Island at the time). "Up on the Roof" was playing. I was enraptured, as I often am with certain songs. "That's Laura Nyro singing..."

Hmm, well, I guess I would've had to hear her name pronounced. Chances are, the DJ said it wrong, as well. I'm not the only ignoramus. Nyro's given name is Nigro, with a long "i", so you'd think her new name would've kept the same long vowel. I used to know a Michael Nigro back in school. No relation, as far as I know.

Anyway, now I know how to say her name so I don't sound like a putz bringing her up at a barbecue.

I freaking love Laura Nyro. I probably listen to her music more than anyone else. Years ago I wrote a quick post about one of her album covers.

Now I've written another one. This one. Listen: this will either change your life or... nah, it'll change your life.