Monday, December 25, 2006
James Brown, 1933-2006
As one writer aptly put it, dramatic to the end- dying on christmas day. as a pagan, I couldn't give a fart about the date, but I suspect it wasn't in his plans to go out on a day like this. Ah well. Best laid plans and all. anyhow, I was never a collctour of his music, but like the Beatles, I very much appreciate the impact this man had on the music industry and the world in general. The godfather of soul will have a place in history for generations to come. I know there is more I could write, but I haven't had any entusiasm lately, so I will not strain the reader's patience with tripe.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Bad day
It was 26 years ago. I spent the day in a court room waiting to testify against a little richkid brat whose daddy bought his way out of facing theft charges. I spent some time researching a book I was writing. I slept for awhile at home.
The phone rang. I sat bolt upright from a sound sleep, knowing who was calling. I said her name outloud. When I picked up the phone, she was hysterical. When she told me why, my knees gave way, and I collapsed to the floor. I didn't sleep for more than 48 hours after that......
John Lennon, one of the Beatles, a man outspoken about peace for most of my life, had been shot down in cold blood on his own building's doorstep.
Everything changed that day. All those things that had always seemed like they could be possible became brittle, bitter dreams. Yet strangely enough, John, without somehow becoming a martyr, despite what had happened, actually brought a lot of us together, where we might never had met. Grieving for our own mortal loss briefly clouded the greater meaning of his words and music. Though I wish it had been a different day, a different person, something, ANYthing but what it was......I also know that it was a very powerful bringer of change.
May we as a species learn to live up to what you sang of, John. It would be the greatest homage we could pay to your memory.
"All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance."
John Ono Lennon, 1940-1980
We will not forget.
The phone rang. I sat bolt upright from a sound sleep, knowing who was calling. I said her name outloud. When I picked up the phone, she was hysterical. When she told me why, my knees gave way, and I collapsed to the floor. I didn't sleep for more than 48 hours after that......
John Lennon, one of the Beatles, a man outspoken about peace for most of my life, had been shot down in cold blood on his own building's doorstep.
Everything changed that day. All those things that had always seemed like they could be possible became brittle, bitter dreams. Yet strangely enough, John, without somehow becoming a martyr, despite what had happened, actually brought a lot of us together, where we might never had met. Grieving for our own mortal loss briefly clouded the greater meaning of his words and music. Though I wish it had been a different day, a different person, something, ANYthing but what it was......I also know that it was a very powerful bringer of change.
May we as a species learn to live up to what you sang of, John. It would be the greatest homage we could pay to your memory.
"All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance."
John Ono Lennon, 1940-1980
We will not forget.
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