Those in the know tell us that memories usually begin about age three. Most of us don’t remember anything before that. It’s called infantile amnesia.
Sounds reasonable, as it seems consistent with my own memory.
For instance, I remember this vividly: Riding in my mother’s car–the song 1,2,3 Red Light playing on the radio as I sat on the console behind the gear shift, pretending to drive, mesmerized by her hand shifting gears…
“Don’t touch that,” my mother warned about the gear shift. “If you do we might wreck and you’ll have to visit the doctor.”
That was that. And from then on, that’s where I would perch when my mother and I would run errands in her little red car. That would have been about 1968, I guess.
Then later, this was probably ’70, ’71’, I remember sharing a room with my brother–he was one. He had what they thought was colic, but I think it was a deep inner ear infection undetected by the pediatrician. He’s practically deaf now .
I digress…My brother had to sleep with the radio on to soothe him and that terrible song, D.O.A, would play twice every hour. Terrifying. I would scoot under the covers and plug my ears with my fingers.
So what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? Fair question.
I’m establishing a thread. I’m trying to convey that music is an important component in the memory process and a tie than binds the human experience. That thread extends to, and thru, this post. (Yeah, I know, thematically I’m stretching the boundaries. It’s what I do best.)
And speaking of that, this is the second post in a series. So if you don’t see your name mentioned here…And should you have the inclination to feel a little offended (not that any of you would)…The list is in no particular order…And, finally…I can’t use up all my material. Then it wouldn’t be a series.
Just sayin. Ahem…
Power Pop – Max likes a lot of music, but mainly rock. And just what does that mean in today’s finely splintered music terminology? It means everything from The Clash to The Allman Brothers, to The Kinks to David Bowie. And he really likes Badfinger. Max is like what AOR rock radio used to be the 80s. Diverse. (True, I’ve never read anything on his site about hip hop and I don’t think he likes hair metal…But that’s okay. Everybody’s got their faults.) Max is from Nashville. He’s not big into southern rock.
On Power Pop you can debate with him on stuff like: Who’s the best guitarist ever? Best drummer? Most talented Beatle? Are The Allman Brothers really southern rock? Informational and statistical nuggets that a lot of us who can’t spell theorem hypothesize like they are, nonetheless.
MelissaMcLaughlin- Truthful Grace – Melissa is an accomplished, published author of inspirational, Christian literature from the feminine perspective. She’s uplifting. She’s principled. She has been gifted by God with the ability to tread lightly on the rhythm of words. If that sounds like dancing, it’s because it is.
The Immortal Jukebox – My gosh, can this man can write! He is scary good. Here’s what he does…
Thom takes a theme or a concept and then he weaves music into it. Only, you don’t hear the music, but you feel it–through his words. So powerful is his ability to write that even if you were deaf, you’d be able to perceive the notations he describes.
His blog is a tapestry of music history. Of theory. Of wit and cultural milestones. Of songs in the style of Americana, rock and alternative. Of jazz. This is a literary blog. It is an entertaining blog. Most of all, it is a musical blog.
The Brokedown Pamphlet – Mark gets three short paragraphs because that’s the way I perceive his style. He is concise. I envy that.
With Mark less is more. Congruently, he invokes the power of a word lovingly chosen. A brilliant writer of existentialism select.
His wife and blogging partner, Christine, is equal in talent. Her photographs capture the beautifully remote.
Last, but not least, is Wolfmans Cult Film Club . I love this site. It’s as wonderfully idiosyncratic as is its author, Mikey Wolf. (Now, could it be that Mikey’s last name is really Wolf? Or Wolfe? If so, very cool…)
Regardless, Mikey’s branding is all wolf. Werewolf. In other words, his site’s mascot is:
Mikey dressed as a werewolf!
Ha! I love that! It’s funny. It’s Irreverent. It’s bold. It’s very Creature From the Black Lagoon. And speaking of the aforementioned film…it’s exactly the kind of film Mikey reveres. Glorious B movies of substance and verve. He turned me on to Jack Sholder’s brilliant The Hidden for which I’m forever grateful.
You know what else? All of those superlatives I threw out there like irreverent, bold and funny? They also describe Mikey’s writing style. Bravissimo! Mikey!
So there they are, in all their eclectic glory.
Indulge as you see fit.
And here’s a link to 1,2,3 Red Light by 1910 Fruitgum Company
And to D.O.A by Bloodrock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WQptxygSM8
Oh…And one more thing… (I swear.)…You can never get enough Billie Holiday.
Just sayin.
The cheetah and I peeped Mikey the Wolfman and gave him a follow….he seems like our type of film buff!! Thanks for shouting him out!!
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Yeah. Mickey’s a cool guy. You two will get along.
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Did you notice we made a comeback and have something special coming??
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Ha!
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I’m honored Pam thank you. Thanks for all the other links…I will check them all out.
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Thanks Max. My pleasure.
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Thanks for the tips, Pam. I have followed Thom Hickey for a long time, and he is definitely the Music Master of blogging!
Best wishes, Pete. 🙂
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All fine bloggers, for sure, Pete. Thanks for reading.
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Great post 🙂 The Immortal Jukebox already visits my site regularly (sometimes to leave comments), which reminds me, it is time for me to pay a visit to his wonderful site 🙂 I was already aware of Wolfman’s Cult Film Club and my opinion of his site echoes yours completely 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Well, you turned me onto Mikey’s site. His site is so much fun. Thanks for reading, John.
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Thank you so much Pam, for the shout out.
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The pleasure is mine, Mark.
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Oh Pam! I like to say that this is just way too cute but you’ll hate for me for that, so I won’t hehe. But I will say it’s very kind and super cool of you to write such nice words. Really touching and it was a lovely surprise. Thank you.
What a great way to start the post with memories. Haha nothing like straight to the point of possible danger of death to put you in your place “If you do we might wreck and you’ll have to visit the doctor.” I can only imagine you sat there for a while quietly pondering this as the scenery in the windows sped on by.
Apart from playing the Dam Busters soundtrack at my Grandparents around 5ish, music memories for me came along later in life, the usual teenage stuff. Went through Synthpop with my beloved Ultravox cassette tapes. Then moved into soul with Midnight Star “Operator” being my first 7″ single. Then it went crazy across all realms from there and still buying vinyl and making new memories.
Thanks for making me smile Pam.
Mikey (I might have to change it by deed poll now so be real cool) Wolf
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I enjoyed it, Mikey. That’s the main thing. Ha!
Yes, music and memories. There is synergy there, no doubt.
Can you believe that there was no law against a three year old riding on the console, way back in the day? I assure you my mother was a great mother, but she thought nothing of it. None of us wore seat belts, though I vividly remember my brother being strapped into a car seat as an infant, so there’s that.
No Parking on the Dance Floor and Freakazoid were absolute killers, back in the day. Still are. Love Midnight Star.
Cheers,
Pam
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Haha yes no seat belts required back then. My Dad was in construction and drove a Leyland Truck with windows in the footwells. Yep no seat belts. Me sat down there happy as Larry watching the Two-Lane Blacktop ride on by.
YES “I’ll be a freak-a-zoid come and wind me up” I still have a soft spot for electro
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I checked out some of your requests. I think it’s great to hear of new blogs (new to me) to follow. You are a kind, generous person. 🙂
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Thanks, Cindy. That’s very nice of you.
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I don’t have time enough at this point to keep up with all the blogs I follow, but I can’t stop following and adding and adding and following! Look forward to delving into some of these. Thanks!
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I know what you mean. I’m fairly new to blogging, it’s been a year and a half since I started. At first, it was kind of a quid pro quo thing with me–you follow me, I’ll follow you and I still do that to be honest, but I have only a hand full of bloggers that I really keep up with. Speaking of that…I haven’t seen one of you post come up on my reader in a while…I enjoy your posts. They are so well written.
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