Those were the words of a San Diego reporter describing a folk icon whose career has been characterised by heartbreaking near misses.
He was due to be signed by Brian Epstein until the legendary Beatles manager died suddenly in 1967 from a drug overdose. He played on Bob Dylan's 1975 Rolling Thunder Tour, but for just a couple of dates. And in 1972 the follow-up to his breakthrough album, Blue River – which featured Joni Mitchell on the title track – was mysteriously lost by Columbia Records.
But, while mainstream success has escaped him, Pittsburgh-born Andersen has enjoyed a lengthy and critically acclaimed career as a songwriter, recording artist and performer.
As a youngster, he taught himself to play guitar and piano and, influenced by Woody Guthrie and the poets of the beat generation, he started to write his own songs.
He was later invited to New York by songwriter Tom Paxton, where he was introduced to the Greenwich Village songwriting circle of Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan.
As a songwriter Anderson has been praised widely by critics and fellow performers, and his tracks have been covered by artists such as Judy Collins, the Grateful Dead and Fairport Convention.
His recordings span four decades, including more than 20 original albums and, most recently, his first live album, Blue Rain, was released last year.He has also toured extensively in North America, Europe and the Far East, and is currently in the middle of a worldwide tour including a unique opportunity for Borders folk fans when he performs in Melrose, one of just eight Scottish dates.
Eric Andersen appears at the Wynd Theatre in Melrose at 8pm next Saturday. Tickets, £10, are available on the door or in advance by calling 01896 820028. For more information visit www.thewynd.com