...actually it was everal nights ago I was reading the local newspaper online.
There was a bulletin about a double homicide committed just outside a near a town I spent my teen years living in.
Where I live is certianly not an urban environment, but nowhere is immune to this sort of event anymore.
I was saddened to find one of the names belonged to John, a friend from high school.
He traveled to Florida with me and two others to see the launch of Apollo 16. I'll never forget the screams he made when the shower water hit his beet-red skin after spending the day in that hot Florida sun.
John was in my younger brother's class and was like adopted brother for our high school days, and after.
THIS little adopted brother was a patriot.
He wanted to serve his country so bad, he quit school, and got his parents to sign on the line allowing him to join the U.S. Marines.
At 17, John took part in the evacuation of Hanoi, as the U.S. left Viet Nam in a hurry.
I know that stuck in John's throat, the thought of losing a war, but like all soldiers he knew that a war ran by politicians is never good for the country let alone those fighting it.
Any time he returned home on leave, it was the same old John with a different perspective.
One time when he was home on leave, about 8 of us went to see the Rolling Stones a Cleveland's Municipal Stadium.
We 'camped out' all night just out side the stadium... well, we ran around downtown Cleveland all night and checked back at the stadium occasionally to see what thousands of other concert goers were doing.
I'd have probably been terrified to run around an area like that, but the fact that 'John the Marine' was there seemed to give all of us a security blanket that made it fun.
from what the new said, last Friday, John was trying to help the other victim with a problem with her propane tank when the gunman came to kill her.
The shooter was the lady's brother, apparently there was some kind of family dispute and this guy wanted to settle it. John was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I haven't seen John on over 20 years, and this is not the way you want to see an old friend for the last time.
Tomorrow, I am going to his funeral to say a last goodbye.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Speaking of 'Classical Meets Contemporary'...
After listening to the 'pop' version of 'Jupiter' I was reminded of another classical/pop cross-over that was on the charts shortly after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the Moon.
I do not know anyone that dislikes the last movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, aka Song of Joy.
Music like that, which stands the test of time deserves respect if nothing else.
So getting back to 1970's "Himno de la alegrÃa", believe it or not, this song (and all the "Heyward/Lodge" Moody Blue's stuff) helped me to become interested enough to seriously listen to Classical music while I was still thriving on The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, and on, and on...
I do not know anyone that dislikes the last movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, aka Song of Joy.
Music like that, which stands the test of time deserves respect if nothing else.
So getting back to 1970's "Himno de la alegrÃa", believe it or not, this song (and all the "Heyward/Lodge" Moody Blue's stuff) helped me to become interested enough to seriously listen to Classical music while I was still thriving on The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, and on, and on...
A piece from The Planets
I am not a know-it-all where 'classical' music is concerned. I've listened to more then most people I know, but that doesn't count for much. There are a number of works I truly enjoy, one of the being Gustav Holst's; The Planets.
Somewhere, some how you've heard bits of this wonderful compilation of music, be it a disc, a commercial, or a movie soundtrack.
I was just poking around in YouTube and found this contemporary take on "Jupiter" by a Japanese pop star named Ayaka Hirahara.
Here's the translated lyrics...
Every day I listen to my heart to find I'm not alone 'cause you're a part of me deep in my heart forever and ever. The star that shines upon all of us over time, endless time has told that it's a wonder that we have forgathered. Every day I listen to my heart We know we're not alone. This universe is holding all of us in its loving arms.I ask myself what can I do for you with these two hands of mine. Let me touch softly your pain away
Some purists will see it as blasphemy, just as they did Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's work in the 70's... but I LIKE IT!
Somewhere, some how you've heard bits of this wonderful compilation of music, be it a disc, a commercial, or a movie soundtrack.
I was just poking around in YouTube and found this contemporary take on "Jupiter" by a Japanese pop star named Ayaka Hirahara.
Here's the translated lyrics...
Every day I listen to my heart to find I'm not alone 'cause you're a part of me deep in my heart forever and ever. The star that shines upon all of us over time, endless time has told that it's a wonder that we have forgathered. Every day I listen to my heart We know we're not alone. This universe is holding all of us in its loving arms.I ask myself what can I do for you with these two hands of mine. Let me touch softly your pain away
Some purists will see it as blasphemy, just as they did Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's work in the 70's... but I LIKE IT!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Greatest Rocker You've Never Seen!
Okay, I know there are so many thousands of good musicians and performers out there.
I know the number narrows down greatly when you speak of great musicians and performers.
And then there very few, the elite that everyone knows by name.
Here's a band I used to follow some twenty years ago.
I always hoped someone that had video of at least one of the band's shows, and tonight I found several on YouTube.
Ronald Koal was as good a lead man as I've EVER seen perform.
If you've read my post on the bands I've seen you know that's putting him in some great company.
Fortunately the videos include the band members that I think were the best incarnation of The Ronald Koal Band.
UNfortunately, the sound quality is sadly lacking.
But it's the best I can find right now, so I would like to share someone you should have seen 20 years ago.
Ladies and Gents, the GREATEST Rocker you never saw... Ronald Koal
...in another incarnation of the band, covering Iggy!
This video was shot on the same stage where "Dimebag' Darrell of Pantera was shot to death, weird, eh?
I know the number narrows down greatly when you speak of great musicians and performers.
And then there very few, the elite that everyone knows by name.
Here's a band I used to follow some twenty years ago.
I always hoped someone that had video of at least one of the band's shows, and tonight I found several on YouTube.
Ronald Koal was as good a lead man as I've EVER seen perform.
If you've read my post on the bands I've seen you know that's putting him in some great company.
Fortunately the videos include the band members that I think were the best incarnation of The Ronald Koal Band.
UNfortunately, the sound quality is sadly lacking.
But it's the best I can find right now, so I would like to share someone you should have seen 20 years ago.
Ladies and Gents, the GREATEST Rocker you never saw... Ronald Koal
...in another incarnation of the band, covering Iggy!
This video was shot on the same stage where "Dimebag' Darrell of Pantera was shot to death, weird, eh?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Momentary Lapse of Reason...
It's been a while since I've posted, but not due to a lapse of reason.
I've had this stinkin' flu and it's not real easy to 'feel' motivated to do anything.
Regardless, I will take the time to post the latest trailer from the BBC for November 15th's airing of The Waters of Mars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a7bJPY0jws&annotation_id=annotation_148494&feature=iv
I have no idea when it will air in the U.S., or if it will be on BBC America or SyFy.
It doesn't matter to me, because I'll watch it on my TV via YouTube.
Finally, I'm not much for sports these days, but it always makes me happy when the New York Yankees win ANOTHER (#27) World Series!
Finally to all my friends in Great Britain; Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
I've had this stinkin' flu and it's not real easy to 'feel' motivated to do anything.
Regardless, I will take the time to post the latest trailer from the BBC for November 15th's airing of The Waters of Mars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a7bJPY0jws&annotation_id=annotation_148494&feature=iv
I have no idea when it will air in the U.S., or if it will be on BBC America or SyFy.
It doesn't matter to me, because I'll watch it on my TV via YouTube.
Finally, I'm not much for sports these days, but it always makes me happy when the New York Yankees win ANOTHER (#27) World Series!
Finally to all my friends in Great Britain; Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
My (Almost) Complete History of Concerts Attended
I know I've seen more shows then this. I have the actual ticket stubs for many concerts on this list, but some were lost so only God knows what I'm forgetting.
Speaking of God, I've only listed a few of the Christian rock bands I've seen in this collection. I can't find any ticket stubs for musicians like, Larry Norman, Daniel Amos, and Randy Stonehill, and BUNCHES of shows that I think were as good as anyone else I've seen...
Then there was this one chap I saw countless times in local bars and clubs.
He went by the name of Ronald Koal.
Undoubtedly one of THE BEST performers I've ever seen. Like having Iggy, Bowie, and Mick mashed into one person on the stage at the same time... and the guy couldn't get a record contract! Sadly his life ended badly about 18 years ago. :-(
Read all about it! http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=446158005&blogId=470974326
Dates showing '1/1/Year' are listed in this manner because the year is most likely correct, but I could not determine the actual date...
Also, I had the venue and the City the show took place in, but removed them beacuse my spreadsheet 'pasted' poorly into the blog's format.
After 'fiddling' around with it, it's still mooshed up, but readable, sorry.
Date Performer Opening Act(s)
10/9/2006 Paul McCartney None
1/1/2003 Bruce Cockburn None
3/21/2000 The Pat Metheny Trio None
2/10/1999 Bob Dylan None
9/2/1998 INXS Ziggy Marley
5/28/1988 Pink Floyd None
3/13/1988 Bruce Springsteen None
6/28/1997 Santana Rusted Root
6/15/1995 R.E.M. Luscious Jackson
3/7/1995 The Pat Metheny Group None
6/15/1994 The Moody Blues None
7/9/1994 Santana RobertCray
8/25/1993 Neil Young Dinorsaur Jr.
10/11/1992 Larry Carlton The Rippingtons
7/30/1992 The Boston Pops None
5/23/1992 Tony Bennett None
5/6/1992 Paul McCartney None
4/15/1992 The Pat Metheny Group None
3/26/1992 U2 None
1/11/1992 Doc Seversen None
9/28/1991 Diane Schurr None
8/31/1991 Sting None
3/11/1991 INXS None
11/1/1990 The Allman Bros Band None
10/23/1990 Iggy Pop None
8/28/1990 Santana ?
8/13/1990 The Moody Blues None
6/19/1990 David Bowie None
4/14/1990 Kitaro None
1/1/1990 The Call None
10/31/1989 Stevie Ray Vaughan Jeff Beck
9/22/1989 The Pat Metheny Group None
9/14/1989 The Rolling Stones Living Colour
9/10/1989 Tom Petty & the H.B.s The Georgia Satellites
8/16/1989 Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, & Howe None
8/6/1989 Bob Dylan Steve Earle
7/20/1989 Paul McCartney None
6/28/1989 David Sanborn None
5/13/1989 The Who None
4/6/1989 R.E.M. The Indigo Girls
2/12/1989 Paul McCartney None
10/23/1988 The Moody Blues None
7/23/1988 Robin Trower None
6/21/1988 Bob Dylan The Alarm
1/29/1988 Yes None
10/20/1986 Neil Young None
8/21/1985 Neil Young David Allen Coe
4/19/1985 Kerry Livegran and A.D. None
3/25/1985 U2 None
12/30/1984 Steve Taylor None
8/25/1984 Yes None
11/2/1983 Amy Grant Michael W. Smith
7/28/1983 Neil Young None
6/4/1983 Modern English None
1/1/1983 Men at Work None
10/1/1982 The Degarmo & Key Band None
9/14/1982 Kansas None
4/25/1982 Daniel Amos None
9/18/1981 Phil Keaggy Sweet Comfort Band
7/9/1981 Amy Grant DeGarmo & Key Band
5/20/1980 Bob Dylan None
1/1/1978 Dickie Betts and Great Southern Mcguffey Lane
7/19/1977 Emerson, Lake, & Palmer None
7/16/1977 Yes Donovan Leitch
6/25/1977 Pink Floyd None
4/28/1977 Led Zeppelin None
1/1/1977 Dickie Betts and Great Southern None
1/1/1977 Roy Buchannan None
1/1/1977 Paul Young None
11/7/1976 Ted Nugent Montrose
9/1/1976 Robin Trower None
8/15/1976 The Beach Boys (Billy Joel cancelled)
5/27/1976 WINGS None
5/10/1976 WINGS None
3/12/1976 The Electric Light Orch. Roxy Music
2/13/1976 The Stills-Young Band Poco
2/1/1976 Deep Purple Nazareth, (Peter Frampton cancelled)
12/9/1975 The Who Toots and the Maytals
8/2/1975 The Rolling Stones Chaka Khan
7/4/1975 Eric Clapton Santana
6/14/1975 The Rolling Stones The Tower of Power, J Geils Band
3/27/1975 Robin Trower None
3/9/1975 Joe Walsh None
3/3/1975 John Entwistles' OX The Muff Brothers
10/26/1974 Todd Rundgren None
10/3/1975 Rick Wakeman None
8/21/1974 Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young Jesse Colin Young, The Band, Santana
7/4/1974 Eric Clapton Ross
4/19/1974 The Beach Boys Steely Dan
4/13/1974 The Electric Light Orch. None
3/17/1974 The Bee Gees None
1/1/1974 Dave Mason None
9/21/1973 John Sebastion Howdy Moon
2/18/1973 The Beach Boys The Doobie Brothers, Muledeer ... and Moondog Medicine Show
10/21/1972 Cat Stevens None
Speaking of God, I've only listed a few of the Christian rock bands I've seen in this collection. I can't find any ticket stubs for musicians like, Larry Norman, Daniel Amos, and Randy Stonehill, and BUNCHES of shows that I think were as good as anyone else I've seen...
Then there was this one chap I saw countless times in local bars and clubs.
He went by the name of Ronald Koal.
Undoubtedly one of THE BEST performers I've ever seen. Like having Iggy, Bowie, and Mick mashed into one person on the stage at the same time... and the guy couldn't get a record contract! Sadly his life ended badly about 18 years ago. :-(
Read all about it! http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=446158005&blogId=470974326
Dates showing '1/1/Year' are listed in this manner because the year is most likely correct, but I could not determine the actual date...
Also, I had the venue and the City the show took place in, but removed them beacuse my spreadsheet 'pasted' poorly into the blog's format.
After 'fiddling' around with it, it's still mooshed up, but readable, sorry.
Date Performer Opening Act(s)
10/9/2006 Paul McCartney None
1/1/2003 Bruce Cockburn None
3/21/2000 The Pat Metheny Trio None
2/10/1999 Bob Dylan None
9/2/1998 INXS Ziggy Marley
5/28/1988 Pink Floyd None
3/13/1988 Bruce Springsteen None
6/28/1997 Santana Rusted Root
6/15/1995 R.E.M. Luscious Jackson
3/7/1995 The Pat Metheny Group None
6/15/1994 The Moody Blues None
7/9/1994 Santana RobertCray
8/25/1993 Neil Young Dinorsaur Jr.
10/11/1992 Larry Carlton The Rippingtons
7/30/1992 The Boston Pops None
5/23/1992 Tony Bennett None
5/6/1992 Paul McCartney None
4/15/1992 The Pat Metheny Group None
3/26/1992 U2 None
1/11/1992 Doc Seversen None
9/28/1991 Diane Schurr None
8/31/1991 Sting None
3/11/1991 INXS None
11/1/1990 The Allman Bros Band None
10/23/1990 Iggy Pop None
8/28/1990 Santana ?
8/13/1990 The Moody Blues None
6/19/1990 David Bowie None
4/14/1990 Kitaro None
1/1/1990 The Call None
10/31/1989 Stevie Ray Vaughan Jeff Beck
9/22/1989 The Pat Metheny Group None
9/14/1989 The Rolling Stones Living Colour
9/10/1989 Tom Petty & the H.B.s The Georgia Satellites
8/16/1989 Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, & Howe None
8/6/1989 Bob Dylan Steve Earle
7/20/1989 Paul McCartney None
6/28/1989 David Sanborn None
5/13/1989 The Who None
4/6/1989 R.E.M. The Indigo Girls
2/12/1989 Paul McCartney None
10/23/1988 The Moody Blues None
7/23/1988 Robin Trower None
6/21/1988 Bob Dylan The Alarm
1/29/1988 Yes None
10/20/1986 Neil Young None
8/21/1985 Neil Young David Allen Coe
4/19/1985 Kerry Livegran and A.D. None
3/25/1985 U2 None
12/30/1984 Steve Taylor None
8/25/1984 Yes None
11/2/1983 Amy Grant Michael W. Smith
7/28/1983 Neil Young None
6/4/1983 Modern English None
1/1/1983 Men at Work None
10/1/1982 The Degarmo & Key Band None
9/14/1982 Kansas None
4/25/1982 Daniel Amos None
9/18/1981 Phil Keaggy Sweet Comfort Band
7/9/1981 Amy Grant DeGarmo & Key Band
5/20/1980 Bob Dylan None
1/1/1978 Dickie Betts and Great Southern Mcguffey Lane
7/19/1977 Emerson, Lake, & Palmer None
7/16/1977 Yes Donovan Leitch
6/25/1977 Pink Floyd None
4/28/1977 Led Zeppelin None
1/1/1977 Dickie Betts and Great Southern None
1/1/1977 Roy Buchannan None
1/1/1977 Paul Young None
11/7/1976 Ted Nugent Montrose
9/1/1976 Robin Trower None
8/15/1976 The Beach Boys (Billy Joel cancelled)
5/27/1976 WINGS None
5/10/1976 WINGS None
3/12/1976 The Electric Light Orch. Roxy Music
2/13/1976 The Stills-Young Band Poco
2/1/1976 Deep Purple Nazareth, (Peter Frampton cancelled)
12/9/1975 The Who Toots and the Maytals
8/2/1975 The Rolling Stones Chaka Khan
7/4/1975 Eric Clapton Santana
6/14/1975 The Rolling Stones The Tower of Power, J Geils Band
3/27/1975 Robin Trower None
3/9/1975 Joe Walsh None
3/3/1975 John Entwistles' OX The Muff Brothers
10/26/1974 Todd Rundgren None
10/3/1975 Rick Wakeman None
8/21/1974 Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young Jesse Colin Young, The Band, Santana
7/4/1974 Eric Clapton Ross
4/19/1974 The Beach Boys Steely Dan
4/13/1974 The Electric Light Orch. None
3/17/1974 The Bee Gees None
1/1/1974 Dave Mason None
9/21/1973 John Sebastion Howdy Moon
2/18/1973 The Beach Boys The Doobie Brothers, Muledeer ... and Moondog Medicine Show
10/21/1972 Cat Stevens None
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A God of Love... and Fury
It had been almost 20 years since I'd last heard this song, but last night I found it on YouTube.
Being a 'right-wing religious nut' (I'm not worthy of God, but He loves me anyway) this piece still makes the hair on my arms stand on end.
The 'end-times' as told in the book of The Revelation of Saint John is pretty awesome reading, couple that with faith and it is almost frightening. Not frightening for the believer, but because of the magnitude of the events and the outcome for many.
President Barack Obama rode the phrase "Change you can believe in." all the way to the White House... The Beatles sang; "You say you want a revolution, well you know, we all wanna change the world..."
If you are a believer, you know a change is coming.
Just when, no one with breath knows... but it is coming none-the-less.
If your not a believer, you'll probably view this piece as a myth, or just plain silly, and that's okay. It's still a pretty good example of mid-80's album oriented rock, so give it a listen.
But I would ask you to look for the God of love. After all, what's the worst that could happen?... nothing at all, or you just might find something you'd never imagined possible.
The Fury (1985)
~ A.D.
I was fortunate enough to see A.D (interesting lineage) in a high school auditorium back in '85. They opened with this song and it blew everyone away.
...next entry will be lighter, I promise. ;-)
Being a 'right-wing religious nut' (I'm not worthy of God, but He loves me anyway) this piece still makes the hair on my arms stand on end.
The 'end-times' as told in the book of The Revelation of Saint John is pretty awesome reading, couple that with faith and it is almost frightening. Not frightening for the believer, but because of the magnitude of the events and the outcome for many.
President Barack Obama rode the phrase "Change you can believe in." all the way to the White House... The Beatles sang; "You say you want a revolution, well you know, we all wanna change the world..."
If you are a believer, you know a change is coming.
Just when, no one with breath knows... but it is coming none-the-less.
If your not a believer, you'll probably view this piece as a myth, or just plain silly, and that's okay. It's still a pretty good example of mid-80's album oriented rock, so give it a listen.
But I would ask you to look for the God of love. After all, what's the worst that could happen?... nothing at all, or you just might find something you'd never imagined possible.
The Fury (1985)
~ A.D.
I was fortunate enough to see A.D (interesting lineage) in a high school auditorium back in '85. They opened with this song and it blew everyone away.
...next entry will be lighter, I promise. ;-)
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