The Tonic: The British Are Coming!!!

The horror and crying for that fateful day was still hanging over the people, a shell-shock that would stay in their souls forever. The news had come around lunchtime. The President had been killed. For the rest of the long weekend, the world was glued to their TV's, a mass visitation by the grieving public. Once the funeral was over, it was very difficult to return to the routine of everyday life. The United States seemed to be going through the motions. The months of December and January were months of grim mourning. Coupled with the depression of winter, America was in a sadness coma, awaiting rebirth. By February of 1964, we wanted something happy in our lives again, something to get the human spirit alive and kicking again. America desperately needed a happiness tonic. And, one was found. But, strangely, that tonic was not given to us by an American. But, rather, that tonic, that cure for America's blues, was four young men from Liverpool, England...... For the entire year of 1963, while The Beatles were becoming a sensation in England and the rest of Europe, they could not crack the American market. Their record company, EMI, owned Capital Records in the States. But, Capital would not jump on the bandwagon of this gimmick from England. We had American artists, they smugly told Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager, we do not have any need to go across the water for a band who had come from the backwoods of some English town. So, for the year of 1963, while Beatlemania broke all over Europe, the largest market in the world turned a deaf ear. In desperation, Epstein made small record deals with small record companies, hoping that these would be the entry he needed to break the band. The first couple of singles released in America were the first couple released in England, ''Love Me Do'', and ''Please Please Me''. Both flopped, barely making a dent. Then, ''She Loves You'', a monster hit in England, was released in America. Another flop. Finally, the small record labels terminated their contract with Epstein. Capital Records seemed to be correct: there was no future in the U.S. for this little band......... But, Brian Epstein was a determined man. He had taken these four on a couple years earlier when no one else would. He had made the grueling climb with them from obscurity to national obsession and did not take ''no'' easily. He still doggedly pursued the Capital Records executives, pleading with them to get behind his ''boys''. Just look at the sales they were generating, he told them. Enormous profits for them in England. In Novenber of 1963, three weeks before Dallas, he met with the big shots in New York, and played them the new song that the band had made especially geared to the ''American Sound''. It was called ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' and it had all the hallmarks of breaking wide. Just push it a little. Plus, Epstein proudly stated, the band had just been booked by none other than Ed Sullivan to be on his show in February of 1964. It seems that Sullivan, stopping off in Sweden, had witnessed the pandemonium that their airport reception had been. Later on, Sullivan had stopped off in England and witnessed a replay of what was happening in Sweden. Checking into this group a little, Ed Sullivan had learned that this group was shattering music records and audiences all over Europe. Being the master showman that he was, Sullivan immediately booked them for his show. All of this was told to the executives by Brian Epstein in that meeting. Finally, almost grudgingly, the Capital executives gave in. They would release this '' I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' song in January of 1964. And, they said they would throw a little promotion behind it, too. Happy, Brian Epstein returned to England. He had done well........ By January, the rumblings about the band had begun to be heard in America. A little clip of the band performing had been shown on the ''Steve Allen Show'' and NBC news had run a story on them. Gingerly, Capital Records released ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' to record stores and the radio stations. Almost overnight, the record exploded. In three weeks, it rang the bell at Number 1. Capital Records executives, caught off guard, immediately went into promotion overdrive. Soon, Beatle stickers and banners were blanketing the country, heralding the call ''The Beatles Are Coming! The Beatles Are Coming!'' The country, caught off guard by the events in Dallas, went crazy with joy. Finally, something happy had been given to us. Parents, while disapproving of rock and roll music, seemed to put their criticism of the music aside. Teenagers, the backbone of the record buying public, went crazy for them. Especially, the girls........ Some of the strongest images of the 1960's are of teenage girls pulling their hair and screaming their lungs out for The Beatles. Obsession for a performer is not new. Recently, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley had experienced this obsession, with teenage girls going mad over them. But, The Beatles screaming was even more intense. It was a scream born out of an overwhelming need to hold them, hug them, sleep with them. The average teenage girl fan was in love with at least one member of the band, usually Paul. He sang the love songs that melted their hearts while being the most attractive one in appearance. But, the others had their legions of followers, too. Ringo was the Everyman. He appealed to the ugly ducklings in the audience, the ones that weren't pretty or weren't the most popular in school. George was the quiet one. All mysterious. He, of the four, was the one that looked like he needed to be sheltered and cared for. And, there was John. John was the funny, intelligent one, the artist and poet. John also seemed dangerous, which appealed to the girls that wanted to be naughty. All of them had their base fans. That was one of the greatest things about the band: they appealed to every one. And, that was what caused the screams. It was a primal scream to keep them and never let them go. But, it was also a release of joy and fun. No words were necessary, just a scream would do. The screaming was once monitored by scientists, They said that the sound of that screaming at a Beatles concert was like standing next to a 707 while taking off.......... ''Why would America want us? They have everything over there. Why would they need The Beatles?'' So said Paul McCartney on the flight over in February. The Beatles had never been to America, except George, who had a sister living in Illinois he visited the previous year. The Beatles, despite hearing of the record sales of ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' were still unsure of whether they would be accepted in America. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they had heard about the promotion and the building up of their popularity, but, this was America, the place they had dreamed of their entire lives of visiting and making it big. Why, indeed, did they need them there? Brian Epstein kept trying to assure them, but, the boys, cocky and confidant though they were, still were quite scared of what awaited them. Then, the pilot of the plane announced as they approached New York that a massive crowd was gathering. The Beatles thought someone else, maybe, the President, was landing at the same time. No, came the word back: there were thousands of teenagers waiting for THEM!!....... When the door opened and they stepped out of the plane on February 7, 1964, it was hard to tell if the incessant, air piercing scream was of the airplanes overhead or the crowd greeting them. Soon, it became apparent it was the crowd. Stunned, the boys marched down the ramp from the plane---- with Phil Spector and the Ronettes behind them--- and walked into America's arms. The giddiness on their faces was a look of happiness mixed with satisfaction of having their dreams come true. They waved to the crowds and posed for the reporters. Then, they went into the airport, where a press conference was pending. The New York reporters, hip to the fact that this could just be the gimmick for the moment, were geared to slam them. They knew pop stars were not very intelligent, so, they decided to go for the jugular with the band. But, these old pros had never encountered the Beatles. The band had been doing press conferences for the past year and had developed a brilliant way to conduct it: they treated a press conference like a comedy routine. All four of the lads were very funny, especially bad-boy Lennon, who never let anyone get the better of him, and answered the questions that the New York reporters tossed at them with grace and well-timed one-liners. Example: Reporter:'' Will you sing for us?'' John: ''No, we need money first!'' Reporter: ''Will you get a haircut while you are here?'' George:'' I had one yesterday.'' Reporter: ''What do you think of the drive to stamp out The Beatles in Detroit?'' Paul: ''We have a drive to stamp out Detroit!'' Reporter:'' What do you think of Beethoven?'' Ringo: ''I love him, especially his poems.'' Reporter: '' Why do the young fans act crazy about you?'' John: ''If we knew we would form another group and be managers.'' By now, the most hardened and cynical reporter had been charmed by them. Soon, [ too soon, lamented some reporters] they were whisked off-stage and sent by limo to their hotel rooms at the St. Regis. The poor hotel had booked them weeks earlier, not knowing what it was getting. Soon, hordes of teenagers were camped out, wailing their desire for the band. From the Friday they arrived, until the Monday they departed, the band was watched by thousands of fans in the bitter cold....... George Harrison had been feeling the effects of the flu for a few days. By Saturday morning, the 8th, he was running a high fever. While the other boys were out visiting New York and drumming up publicity--- with the now charmed New York press following them like their fans---- George Harrison was quite ill. There was some alarm about whether he would be able to perform on the Sullivan show the next day. All Saturday the nation was kept alert about George Harrison's flu. Finally, it was decided he would perform but watched closely. He also had, not disclosed to the public, a doctor shoot him up with vitamins and speed to get him on his feet. By the actual performance, he struggled through, barely able to play his guitar.......... That Sunday, the 9th, there were two shows the Beatles had planned for Sullivan. The first performance was taped in the afternoon, to be shown at a later date. The second was the live show in the evening. The ticket requests from the famous and non-famous was enormous. The little theater held about 700 seats. The ticket request number was about 50,000. The Beatles would headline the show [ among the other acts on the show was a young Davy Jones performing in the musical ''Oliver''. In time, he would be a ''Monkee'']. They would be first out of the gate and sing three songs. Then, mid-way through the show, the band would come back for two final numbers. The Beatles had decided to play their hits, like ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'', ''She Loves You'', ''I Saw Her Standing There'', and ''All My Loving'' Now that they were the hottest act in show business, all of their ''old'' music, which was less than a year old, was being released and hyped. All of these singles, which had bombed months earlier, were now hot sellers. The band also would include a cover of ''Till There Was You''. This song, from the musical, ''The Music Man'', was a calculated concession by the band to appeal to the older audience that was watching. At 8pm Eastern time, ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' went on the air. Families around the country and in Canada turned in. One benefit was that heavy snow had blanketed most of the country, so, people were watching TV rather than be outside. It was later estimated that the size of the audience was 75 million, about two-thirds of the viewing public. The show would go down in history as the most highly watched show television had ever had......... Standing backstage, the nervous and excited Beatles heard a peculiar thing in the introduction. Ed Sullivan had announced that Elvis Presley had sent the band a congratulatory telegram wishing the boys well on their performance. The Beatles were thrilled, because Elvis was their hero, the prime inspiration for them being in show business. It wasn't until years later that the band found out the Elvis did not know anything about the telegram. His manager, the huckster Colonel Tom Parker had sent it to cop a little publicity. In fact, as the Beatles later sadly found out, their old hero Presley despised them...... The big moment arrived. Ed Sullivan, dressed smartly, as always, in a conservative suit for his conservative audience, announced the main attraction. He started by saying how the city had never seen excitement like this. Then, winding up his delivery like a master of ceremonies in a circus, he exclaimed, ''And, here they are!! The Beatles!'' The TV screen was then switched to an image of a vast stage with four little men on it. The camera slowly came in on them, as did tens of millions of people across North America...... What the people saw was a revolution brewing in front of their eyes. The Baby Boomer generation, the biggest in human history, was seeing themselves represented. The soundtrack to this generation was off and running as these four young men started with ''All My Loving.'' A seed began to grow in the psyche of a generation that would soon flower in trying to take over the world. A similar seed was being planted in the souls of men and women who now saw their destiny in music. From Bruce Springsteen to David Crosby to Jimi Hendrix to Janis Joplin, aspiring musicians around the country now saw what they must do. It was a call to arms for these men and women to pick up the spirit of the times and follow your dreams in music, as these four young men were doing. Not only the music struck a chord, but, the whole idea of doing music as a way of life was sent shining across the television image right into the hearts and minds of these people. The Beatles would be their standard bearers, the inspiration to form a band and make the music that was seething in their DNA........ As the boys went from song to song onstage, a most remarkable display was happening in the audience. The girls in the audience were shrieking their lungs out at the band. This was nothing new to the lads, but, to the American and Canadian audiences it was a stunner. Girls were literally losing control of themselves wailing out at the band. The Sullivan people cut back and forth between the stage and the seats. The energy and excitement rocked the tiny theater, never seeing pandemonium like this again......Truth be said, the performance the band gave that night on the Ed Sullivan Show was not that great. It was good, and, it did what it was expected to do: introduce the band to the biggest audience in the world. But, in terms of musical ability, the Beatles had more glorious moments onstage in their career. Again, though, it served its purpose. Introduction, and more importantly, impact. It was the Perfect Storm of the melding of a generation and its musical and social leaders...... After their fifth and final song, the Beatles were called over by Sullivan to take one last bow for the people watching in the theater, and at home. Screams of joy were heard that night, in the theater, and across the vast continent. The Beatles and Ed Sullivan had, unknown to them that night, made history in these less than fifteen minutes combined of network exposure. A historical moment was just made, forever cemented in the people who were watching........ The fallout afterwords was obvious. Not only the huge viewing numbers, but, the impact on the public. The next day, Monday the 10th, boys in school started growing their hair long and forward like the band. It could be said that long hair started growing during the performance that night, never to go away. The girls also talked about the band, but, in more loving ways. Every girl had a ''favorite Beatle.'' It was a surprise to everyone that the most popular member of the band in America was not the cute Paul, but, Ringo. Perhaps, it was the ugly duckling theory. He was everyone's little puppy that you hugged....... Fashion, hair styles, language, musical influence, all changed from that night. Soon, other areas in show business and Madison Avenue would ride along the wave that was ''Beatlemania''. And, in doing so, would set the future course of how a person lived their everyday lives. How you ''did your own thing'' and tried to better the world. Protesting the evils of government, and being on the better side of a moral and ethical cause. Be-ins, bed-ins, protesting against unfairness in society, can all be traced to that famous Sunday night........ Finally, the music influence. Even the music casual music fan cannot deny the Beatles influence. Every band or artist that has followed in their wake from the early 1960's on owes a tremendous debt to them. Long after the band broke up in 1970, the flames of their red-hot passions still burned brightly. From the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin, to the bands of today, feel their fingerprints. No other musical entity from the 20th Century comes close to the magnitude of the Beatles. Yes, Sinatra and Presley had their power, but, in terms of a long term legacy, the Beatles look down from the mountain at what they harvested..... It is fifty years later. Long-gone are the screams and the massive riots that the band received. Their music still is alive and kicking, even if John and George are long gone. The Beatles music still sells more now than almost any new band in existence. I see the Beatle shirts and hear the music playing at the school I work at. They have the real chance of being forever played, long after Paul and Ringo and the rest of us have gone. Of course, they broke up at the top of their musical inventiveness and never reunited. That, in terms of a musical legacy, is the best you can do. By going out on top, they never got old and made bad music. They remain supreme in the publics mind....... The theater that housed ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' now houses '' The Late Show With David Letterman''. Dave, for over twenty years now, has made his magic memories and special moments. But, I would imagine, when his show is over, and the last light is turned off for the night, ghosts from the past are still roaming around. Ghosts of sweet times and times forever gone. Somewhere, in that vast theater, there are four young, fresh-faced Englishmen. They are playing the music sent down to them from Heaven, to be unleashed on a grateful people. There are echoes of screams. The Beatles are young and full of life......... And, so are the rest of us.......

Random Thoughts: January 2014

Last week at the school I work at, we had a safety drill for the staff. This actually is a law signed by Governor Quinn requiring all schools to go through this procedure. Basically, it is what to do and how to act if an intruder invades your environment. It was non-mandatory for some of the staff but I'm glad I went. As we were involved in this exercise of caution and safety, we all got word of yet another shooting, this one at Purdue University. This left one student dead. As we all shook our heads in sadness and horror, I made the comment that these things seem to be happening on a frightening average of once a month. A few days later, another shooting happened at another school. I amended my statement and said that now we are averaging one a week. Sadly, the next day, we had the shooting at the mall in Baltimore. Now, we seem to be averaging one a day. The extraordinary part is we have reached such an immune and acceptance of these killings that many news organizations did not put the shooting in Baltimore at the top of the news. It was buried after the lead about our Arctic weather. Now, bad weather certainly is important. However, it is common in these parts this time of the year. A public shooting now rates below this for some outlets. The death of human beings, lives being taken away from them in a flash of gunfire, is not as important as sending some poor schmuck reporter out in the cold to stand beside the Kennedy Expressway and tell us how terrible it is outside. I don't need the news to inform me that the weather is dangerous. I pretty much figured that theory out at an early age. But, the shocking death of innocent people, whose only crime was going to a public place to do some shopping, is brushed aside like it is a normal thing. Well, in this world we have created today, maybe, it is........ And, about this Arctic cold weather. A few weeks ago, I pointed out in a post of Facebook that people need to chill out [ sorry] and go with the fact that we get this type of weather every year. If you don't like it, I bellowed, leave and don't come back. I still feel this way, but, I must amend my original bellicose behavior. The weather we have been receiving the last several weeks does not qualify as winter. Winter should be of the vein of ''walking in a winter wonderland'' feeling. You know, some snow, with temperatures in the low 20's and teens. It is not the nicest of weather but it is what we have been trained to live in during this darkest month of January. However, this shit we have been receiving the last few weeks is not weather. It is an Unholy Horror sent down by the Gods. Record cold and school and work closings have been happening. Frostbite is at an alarming rate, along with people being found frozen to death. You know who I really feel sorry for? Animals that live outside in this. I know some have a protective DNA that humans do not have to stave off this killer cold. But, most do not. I feel bad for the rabbits and other little creatures. Hopefully, we will get through this soon. As I write these words, I just got a message saying the school I work at is closed tomorrow because of inclement weather....... I used to be a fan of the legendary radio team of Steve Dahl and Garry Meier. They were pioneers in free association radio, the first reality show for radio. They lived their lives as an open book from 1979 until 1993, gaining fame and fortune and trailblazing the radio landscape for later personalities like Howard Stern and your favorite current morning drive-time duo. It was no-holds barred radio, with Dahl living his life and anxieties for the world to see, and, Meier, as the comic foil for Dahl's misadventures. Every morning or afternoon, depending on what station they were on, millions of people in Chicago-- and competitors in other markets--- turned into the soap opera that was the ''Steve &Garry Show''. Comic gold was often mined in these broadcasts. Their influence in the culture was enormous. I heard people say things that came from the show, while these same people were stating how much they hated this show. That was the crux of Dahl and Meier--- you either hated them or loved them. When they split up bitterly in 1993, it was a public falling out that took many years to heal. The Dahl camp blamed the breakup on Meier's new wife, Cindy. It was said that she held a ''Yoko'' type of control over Meier. The Meier camp blamed Dahl's alcoholism [ Steve was one of the great drinkers in Chicago history] for the breakup. Either way, it cause much bitterness and public sniping as the sides were drawn. After a dozen years, a thaw in their feud appeared when Meier showed up unannounced at a live broadcast that Dahl was doing at the Air and Water Show. He came on, surprising Dahl. Immediately, they went into their comic gold. It was if they had not been separated by bitterness and bad feelings and took up right where they left off. Soon, word spread out around Chicago that they had reunited and the media swarmed in. The usual questions were asked like if they were gonna get back together again. Both Steve and Garry laughed it off and said, lets see. For about four hours, it was good feelings and good times. When the show was over, the two old partners shook hands and went their separate ways. Both stated that they were open to working together again, but, it has never happened. I write this because something has been sticking in my craw for a couple of months. In November, Steve and Garry were inducted into the Radio Hall Of Fame in Chicago. Broadcasters all over the world have been enshrined here, it is like the Baseball Hall Of Fame for radio people. According to Dahl, he reached out to Meier and asked that they go up and accept the award as a team. Meier never returned his phone calls. After much back and forth thought, Steve declined to attend the ceremonies. Garry, however, went. And, in a move that stunned the audience, mentioned eleven people who were instrumental in him receiving this honor. Not once did he mention Steve Dahl. True, their feud seems to have sadly revived, but, I thought it was completely classless of Meier to not mention the one person who helped him the most in his career. Without Steve Dahl, Garry Meier would just be another faceless disc jockey roaming the country. Dahl opened up the whole world of celebrity and fortune to Meier, which ultimately led to Meier meeting his wife. To not mention the biggest influence in your professional life seemed petty to me...... Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend. Even people who do not like football enjoy this day and the gathering with family and friends. It has become an unofficial holiday. Two very good teams will play, Seattle and Denver, and it should be back and forth. I saw a poll recently that 50% of the population considers itself at least a casual fan. Football has long replaced baseball as the National Pastime. And, rightly so. Your favorite team plays once a week. You plan your Sundays around watching it, sometimes with friends, sometimes in bars with new bar friends, sometimes in the privacy of your home. And, if you can scrape together a couple of hundred bucks, you can go to the game personally. However you watch football, it is the only sport that crosses all ethnic and gender lines. Everybody watches the Bears on Sundays. And, usually, you have another team you root for. Fantasy football, once a hobby, now is in every area of life. Housewives bet side by side along with Vegas oddsmakers. Football has become the sport where families gather together and have tasty snacks and even more tastier beverages to consume. It is the fun sport, the sport of the blue-collar and the rich man. The only negative about this game on Sunday is that it will be the last football game until the players put on pads in July. So, enjoy the game and the eating of ''bad'' food. And, go Broncos!!!!!

The Blues Brothers

In the summer and fall of 1979, there was a sharp presence around Chicago. It was a whirlwind of frantic activity, mixed with the excitement of fun being created. This kind of energy had never been seen in the city because The Old Man, Richard J. Daley, had decreed that this type of behavior would not darken his beloved city. You see, some network in the 1960's had shown the audacity to have a show set in Chicago. That was fine with the mayor, for he was the cheerleader of all things that were good in Chicago. But, this show, now lost to history, had the nerve to show a Chicago police officer taking a bribe!!! A corrupt cop on the mob payroll!!! Well, Mayor Daley was so horrified that he firmly rejected any further attempt by that evil and vile Hollywood to show his city in any kind of light, good or bad. Therefore, while he was alive, the city of Chicago did not have any TV or movies made here. The Old Man was steady fast in his resolve, a feeling that lasted until his last breath in 1976. By 1979, Chicago had a new mayor, Jane Byrne, who saw the opportunity, and, most importantly, the riches, in opening up the city to Hollywood again. She approved the first movie that came calling. It was the movie that created all of the whirlwind and havoc in that magical summer and fall of 1979. It was the story of two down-and-out blues musicians named after the music they loved. Joliet Jake Blues and his brother Elwood, The Blues Brothers....... The genesis of this act actually came from the first meeting of its principals. It was 1973 and Dan Aykroyd, a most versatile and talented performer at the tender age of 21, was backstage at his gig at the Toronto branch of the famous ''Second City'' theater. Dan and his fellow performers, John Candy, Gilda Radner, and Eugene Levy, were preparing to go finish the show with the nightly improv set when, suddenly, the backdoor of the stage came flying open, and, according to Aykroyd, an enormous force of nature walked through the door among the whirling snow in the background. This was the man they had all heard of in the cast but had never met. His name was Belushi, John Belushi, age 24, a walking genius of unbridled talent and energy.  He had been a star in Chicago at the ''Second City''   [among many brilliant impressions, John did a flawless Mayor Richard J. Daley]. They knew he had moved to New York to star in the ''National Lampoon'' show ''Lemmings'' and was now the director of the ''National Lampoon Radio Hour''. Belushi was in Toronto scouting talent for the ''Radio Hour'' and had heard about this extraordinary cast of talented people. After a quick introduction, Belushi joined the cast onstage for the improv set. Afterwords, the cast went to a bar that Aykroyd ran, an illegal bootleg joint. While all of the cast mingled well, both Belushi and Aykroyd sensed a special and immediate kinship with each other. It was if two long-lost brothers had been reunited at last. As they sat at the bar throwing back shots of the bootleg booze, a deep and lasting friendship was forged. And, while they talked of their lives, Aykroyd would play the music he loved. Blues music. Belushi had never really gotten into the blues, he was a rock and roll fan. But, sitting there listening to the sounds of the blues--- of people down-and-out, victims of life's cruelty---- a new musical bond was formed. That night they made the decision that someday down the line, if they ever worked together, they would put together a band for themselves, celebrating the blues......... Then came ''Saturday Night Live'' in 1975. Gilda, John, and Dan were all hired for the show, which would revolutionize comedy. During the course of the show, Belushi and Aykroyd's friendship deepened. And, that dream of the musical group finally came to fruition. It started in early 1976 as ''The Bees'', a silly running bit that the cast hated. But, John and Dan had convinced their producer, Lorne Michaels, to let them sing a blues number on the show. Lorne said fine, but, you must wear the Bee costumes. After much arguing, the boys finally agreed. They went on the show and sang the old blues number, ''King Bee''. The performance was a fun bit which really did not show much in terms of musical ability. But, it was a start and the audience loved them. For the next couple of years, John and Dan would warm up the studio audience before the show. Finally, in April of 1978, the Blues Brothers were the musical guests on the show. It was a warm response. The host of the evening, Steve Martin, was so impressed by his friends performance that he suggested that the Blues Brothers open for him when he played the Universal Amphitheater in September of 1978. John and Dan agreed and then a deal with made with Atlantic Records to record the band and release the recording as a live album........ No one expected the magic that came out of those nights. The Blues Brothers--- which included some of the finest musicians alive, such as, Steve Cropper, Donald ''Duck'' Dunn, Matt ''Guitar'' Murphy, and Paul Shaffer---- blew the roof off the building. All of Hollywood showed up and was instantly captivated by the raw energy and fun the band displayed. The recording of the album, named ''A Briefcase Full Of Blues'', was released in December of 1978. It quickly shot to the top of the charts and rested at Number 1. John Belushi, riding high with his film ''Animal House', and the enormous success of ''Saturday Night Live'', and now, the Blues Brothers, was the hottest performer in show business. So, in early 1979, Universal came begging Belushi and Aykroyd for a film of the Blues Brothers. They signed up the director from ''Animal House'', John Landis, to helm it and a summer 1979 date was selected to begin filming. It didn't matter to the studio if no script was available. Or, a budget. The studio just wanted John and Dan to make the movie. Chicago was chosen to be the place to film it......... Anyone who was old enough at the time and lived in Chicago remembers this movie being filmed. It was a big news story at the time. Everyone seemed to be talking about this movie and the action that was being generated. There were reports of them driving an old car through the Daley Center, wreaking havoc [ The Old Man must have really hated that wherever he was ] and the bizarre sight of a big helicopter dropping a car several hundred feet. The Blues Brothers were running the city and the crazy antics being filmed also spilled over into real-life. There were constant stories of Belushi and Aykroyd being spotted at this place and that spot. They were jumping onstage with bands and hailing police cars as taxis. The city was an open playground for the boys and they sure used it for their fun. Director Landis remembers going to Wrigley Field with Belushi. He said it was like walking with Mussolini in Rome. The crowds would part for him. And, Belushi, the hometown hero who had made good, reveled in all of the attention. He was a good-hearted man who was the life of any party. But, for him, he did not know how to turn the party off and go home to bed. His cocaine addiction, which would later kill him, became rampant during this time. As there were the scenes they were shooting of cars piling up, there were also the stories piling up about his nocturnal partying. He was spinning out of control and no one around him that loved him--- his wife, Judy, Dan Aykroyd--- could stop him. The same manic comic energy that made him a star was starting to bring him down in his personal life. It wasn't until after filming stopped that he made the effort to kick drugs. And, he did succeed, for a while. But, addiction never really goes away. It hides in the corner of your soul, awaiting a dark moment to spring forward again. It did for this great comedy giant and sweet man in 1982....... The plot of ''The Blues Brothers'' isn't really that much. Two orphan men return to the orphanage where they grew up and learn that it is about to close due to unpaid taxes. The brothers decide to reunite their old band and make enough money to pay off the debt. This plotline goes back to the Mickey Rooney--Judy Garland musicals of the thirties and forties [ ''Hey, kids, lets put on a show!'']. But, the plot is not important in this movie. It is just an excuse to take us from one musical number to another. And, these numbers are quite exceptional. Start with the boys visiting a church to get some spirit. The pastor, the Reverend Cleophus James, is played by James Brown. After some verbal words to the faithful, Ole James gets into the music. Suddenly, the music starts blasting, the congregation feels the Spirit Of The Lord, and there is joyous dancing and singing spreading through the church. The Blues Brothers eventually see the light and join in, with Belushi doing flips down the aisle, and Aykroyd doing his two-step dance, like a football player running through the tires at practice. This is the part in the movie when the boys get the idea to reunite the band. The first half of the flick is the brothers gathering the old band back together. Along the way, they manage to piss off the police, the American Nazi Party, and a white trash country and western band. These moments are all played with wonderful comic invention. They drive through a shopping mall, drive the Nazis off the bridge they are spewing their hate from, and, in the best comic scene in the movie, play a dive bar that only has plays ''both types of music: country and western''. Theyhave to immediately ditch their set music and come up with country music to please the hostile crowd. This segues into two hilarious versions of songs, ''Rawhide'', and ''Stand By Your Man'', [ a man in the crowd cries into his beer during this ]. Intercut with these comic gems is the central part of the movie: the music. The movie was designed by Belushi, Aykroyd, and Landis to showcase the great R&B music that was slowing fading away. With an enormous audience out there for them, the three creators of this movie decided to have such established stars such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and Ray Charles perform, hoping to restart their sagging careers. And, it did. All of the black performers testify that the success of this movie gave them a second career. It is plain to see why while watching this movie. Aretha, James, Brother Ray and Cab are all electrifying in their numbers. Aretha blows the movie away with her song ''Think''. Ray Charles sings the chestnut fun dance number, ''Shake Your Tailfeather''. And, Cab brings out his biggest hit from the Cotton Club era, ''Minnie The Moocher''. All of these numbers were revelations for the audience that came to see Belushi and Aykroyd. These audiences, mostly white, were exposed to the great music that they did not know existed. And, from this movie on, white audiences have kept the blues alive by visiting the numerous blues clubs around the city and around the world. Sadly, black audiences have moved away fro this music and embraced the vile sounds of rap....... When the movie was released in June of 1980, the reviews were mostly pans. Many white critics were indignant that two white performers were, they felt, denigrating the black music in the movie. These simple-minded critics failed to see that the movie was celebrating this golden music. The black artists in the movie stated this forcefully.Thankfully, the movie was a big box office hit here and around the world. In Australia, it has become such a cult movie that on Friday nights, there are midnight showings of the movie where people show up in full costume as Jake and Elwood and recite the lines of the movie in tandem with it playing........ The final analysis of this movie is its impact on the culture. Blues music continues to bounce off the walls of clubs all around the planet, as men and women sing of their pain of lost love and broken dreams. But, blues is also good dance music, a celebration of life. ''The Blues Brothers'' movie and act helped give this music the shot in the arm it deserved. It still rankles me that John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd have not gotten the proper respect that is due to them. They helped reinvent a cultural source of pride, while spreading out to all different colors and ethnic groups..... And, to think, it all started in a bootleg bar in Toronto when two comic geniuses met for the first time......

Baby, Its Cold Outside

Since we are in the teeth of winter now, with its obscene cold and hazardous snow, I thought I would give some friendly advice on ways to beat the cold. If we live here [ and, we do, by choice ] then we have to suck up the hardship and move forward!! If that bullshit is not to your liking, then try good, old-fashioned whining and complaining. We are good at that........ The first thing you should do on a day like this is to call in sick to work. If you are like me and have weather days built into your job it is not necessary to do this much. But, people in the real world--- of which I was one for many years--- have to be a little more creative when contemplating going out in this bad weather. Sudden illness, always a threat, strikes the human with swift precision. A few sneezes can develop into a cold and then something more serious. Surely, you, as a dedicated worker and loyal employee, do not want to inflict your fellow co-workers with a dreaded cold. You are a humanist [ possibly, the last among us] and you want to suffer your sickness in the privacy of your own home. That is nice of you. I would give you a raise for being so thoughtful in these trying times...... If you are not genuinely sick, tell them anyway that you are. Fuck work!! What good are you to them anyway on a day like this? You would be forced to go into your job and that could create tension and bad feelings. Being the humanist that you are, that would go against your natural order as improving as a human being. Being forced to go to work on days like this makes a personality adjustment that is just plain bad. You will be resentful, bitter, snap at people, and the unhappiness will spread to those around. Fortunately, this is how I normally feel at work on good weather days, so I know what I am talking about. Therefore, staying at home after calling in sick is beneficial to not only yourself, but, your beloved company also. You supreme humanist, you!!!!.......... After the sick call, you should do the natural reward of staying home from work: roll over and get some more sleep. On cold days like this, pulling the covers over you is a wonderful feeling because you are warm and safe. And, you are not going out into the world like your fool friends and family to their jobs........ Oh, I forgot!!! Call or text your friends that you are staying home. This is imperative!!! After you have had your extra hour of sleep [ sadly, I must confess, you will only be able to pick up an hour of sleep because your body is used to getting up at the regular time] you must contact these people. After all, being the humanist that you are, you want the best for them. You want them happy and healthy. How happy will they be getting dressed and going out into this horror of bad weather? Their best interests are your best interests, so show them the light of staying home. Oh, you may encounter those nervous nellies who never call in sick when they aren't sick. Those people need to be watched because they actually enjoy working. No normal human being likes to work, it goes against our built-in whining and complaining that our Forefathers fought for our right to do. Override these silly workaholics with common sense and a little bullying. Why would you want to go outside on days like this?, ask them. If they give you some baloney about responsibility and pride in their work I would drop them as friends and call the police immediately. These people are a genuine threat to society......... After you have convinced the loyal non-workers to call in sick, get out of bed and roam your home. Never once get the feeling that you will do something productive today. You are sick, after all, so, of course, you are not gonna clean the house or go do laundry!!! The dust will be there tomorrow, awaiting the cloth to wipe away. And, the pile of dirty clothes won't be getting bigger because you won't be wearing fresh clothes today. This is a no-shower day. Just pick up some sweats and the old T-shirt that is tearing apart and you look fine. In terms of being lazy, that is the ''GQ Look''. You have convinced your friends to come over [ this day off being your idea, your friends should pay homage to your genius thinking and come to your home] so, who needs to dress up for friends who are soon gonna be farting and smoking in your house. A poker game is a nice alternative to daytime TV. Get one going. You must have one of your friends bring the essentials on a day like this. Alcohol and pizza are human staples for bad weather. As soon as they come through the door, the beer is opened and the pizza is being devoured. What? Did you think you were eat healthy on a day like this, or drink mineral water? No!!! Haven't you been following my advice closely? This day is a celebration of bad habits, like laziness and gluttony. Relax!!! Since Mother Nature is kicking us all in the sack we have a ready answer: you're gonna kick out the jams and go crazy!!!! I won't even bother bringing up exercising on a day like this. Those people are sadists........... If you don't like poker---- and, truth be told, I don't---- then a movie or sports event will suffice. You must watch a classic, though. ''The Godfather'' movies are always most welcome on any day, but are really applauded on bad weather days when you are ''sick''. But, I will leave it up to you and your tastes among the group. Hey, you have earned this day off, so, be my guest and entertain yourselves.......... There is a great alternative to having your beloved friends come over. That is having sex on a day like this. Convince your better half to call into work. You will be surprised on how good the sex is when you are lying to your boss about your health state. The sex has a winsome naughtiness to it, a sense that the Devil in you put one over on The Man. Your partner will be delighted by this devilish streak inside the humanist, so, the house will be rockin!!!!.......... You will end the day most restful and filled with good cheer. You gave your soul a break from your work. Applaud your efforts and take a bow. The only downside is that you have to go to work tomorrow. Now, if you really sold your illness to Boss Nasty, then you might be able to pinch another day off. If this is the case, reward your second day off with sleep. Sometimes, a day off can be most tiring.......

November Boys

''Dear Johnny and Joey........ As always, it was wonderful getting together with what is left of our family for the holidays. The spirit of past family Christmas times has nicely settled on the present. I still look around for the ghosts of your Grandparents and Uncle Tom and Nana. They were in the room there, somewhere. We did not see them clearly, but, the sweet joy of their souls were swirling around us. They loved you both fiercely, as I do. I was thinking of them Christmas Eve, but, I was also thinking about you two........ I remember vividly the days you both were born. Johnny, you floated into the world in 1984, when your Uncle Jimmy was a mere eighteen. I did not have much experience with babies then. Most guys at that age do not. So, you were a bit of a mystery to me. How to hold you, what to do when you cried [ usually, babies want their Mom when they cry but you wanted to be held by anyone]. But, you hardly ever cried that I can think of. You always had a smile on that beautiful face of yours. Whomever walked into a room immediately wanted to pick you up and hold you. And, you never said no to that person. There you were, all fat and blond hair, being friendly and playful. You never whined, you never through fits. Happiness was all over you. And, that makes for a rising spirit of goodness for everyone around you. You were the first grandchild, so, of course, you were spoiled. If I didn't pay attention to you, you could easily go to your Uncle Tom for affection [ not an easy trick] and, certainly, your Gamma and Papa. Oh, how we spoiled you!!! I think of the day when you learned how to ride a bike. You would have thought that the Secret Service was guarding you. It was me, Papa, Uncle Tommy, and your Dad. We all were on the watch to make sure you didn't hurt yourself. And, you didn't. Like everything else in life, you picked up on it and excelled. I also think of Christmas time at your grandparents. The stack of presents were up high, all awaiting you opening them. The look of joy and happiness when you did open them has forever stayed in my mind's eye. As usual, you appreciated all of the gifts and thanked all of us. Your parents always, from the start, taught you good manners. You had your toys, the cars, the games, your little container of Pez candy, and most importantly to you, your valued walks with Papa down the block to see the big rock. You were a happy child who made the rest of the family glow. When, in 1989, you were presented with a younger brother, we all wondered on how you would take no longer being the center of attention. True to form, you took it calmly, in stride with your personality. You had a hell of a lot of patience with your younger brother. As we all had to...... Joey, as we have told you many times, you were a pain in the ass. Born five years after your brother, and like Johnny, a November baby, at times, I thought you were a howling demon from the Devil himself. Miserable. Always wanting only your Mom to hold you. That was a good choice, but, some of the rest of us wanted to nestle you in our arms, too. You would have none of that. You were lucky kid that, like your older brother, you were a beautiful baby. You had big cheeks and beautiful dark hair. As time wore on, and, your war with the rest of humanity touching you receded, your personality and joy came forward. And, that was worth the wait!! From the start, you made your presence known. I can recall that the Scoleri sense of humor seemed to be with you even at the age of three. A favorite family story is when, one time at your house, your Dad sent you to your room for being bad [ you had a hell of a temper, kid]. You did not want to go and finally your Dad took you in there and closed the door. Your Dad came back to the living room to talk to us again. That is when you whirled out of your room, came into the living room, looked at your Dad, and shouted at the top of your lungs at him, ''You fucker!'' and stormed off. Well, the room broke into hysterics. Obviously, you should not have called him that. But, I remember thinking that this kid has some balls. And, a rebellious streak. He is a Scoleri!!! As you grew up I was very happy to see the bond you and your brother had for each other. He looked out for you and you very much idolized him. That is a bond you two seemed to have taken with you both into adulthood. Being the baby in the family, Joey, as I can tell you, sure has its perks. You can get away with a lot of stuff that your siblings cannot. Your Mom and Dad were strict with Johnny, but, you got away with so much. It is cool, isn't it??!!! As you grew older, I observed a caring and love of all things that is very rare for someone your age. You take people as they are, no judging. I admire that but you have to be careful because some people deserve that judgment against them. But, your heart was open. And, I like that open heart. Your eyes sparkle with life and all it entails. I have, as other people in the family have commented on, noticed that you have many of my traits in your personality. You are good with people, see the world through the filter of humor, and make friends easily. I also see that you like your beverages and the ladies. Good, but, be careful you don't overdue both. And, stay away from strippers......... You have to forgive your Uncle here, guys. Sometimes, I find it difficult to believe that you both are men of the world. I still consider you runts running around the Christmas tree, begging all of us to let you open the gifts early. But, those days are long gone and you are men now. Good, solid, kind men. I am very proud of how you both turned out. You both would never hurt a fly. You both have matured into the type of person the world needs more of. You both are terrific fathers---- Johnny with Jordan and Aiden. Joey with the mighty Manny---- and I know the sweet spirit of your souls is in theirs also. I am no longer young, forty-eight people tell me, and your Mom is not also. We are not planning on going anywhere soon. But, I wanted to take this moment to officially hand off the family baton with you both. This is your quick pep talk about your duties that are expected of you both as you move through life. Never lose the sense of family. The Scoleri family has always been a good and decent family. We do not harm anyone. We always look out for the underdog. As you both are experiencing being out in the world now, there are many people out there that are ruthless and cutthroat. They would sell their mother's down the river for a healthy profit and gladly never bat an eye in guilt or shame. The family has never been part of this group. As your Uncle I expect you both to follow the family tradition of honor and loyalty and decency. Never be swayed by the dark forces out there. Your Papa always gave out sound advice. One thing I always remember him saying is ''Always be yourself. Never let anyone change whom you really are''. You will come across situations in life when you may cross that line of whom you are and are swayed to do bad things. This is not the Scoleri way. You two, in time, will be the living history of all that this family has been. And, I expect you both to obey the laws of our family heritage and bloodline. Never let anyone change you. Never hurt or disrupt another human being in life. That would go against your natural way of the goodness that swims in your souls. I have no doubts about you too and what road you will choose in life. It is the road that we all, in the family, have chosen. There will be some bumps, to be sure. Sometimes, it seems like you may have chosen wrong. You have not. Stay true to your goodness. It is whom you really are and you will have a much more rewarding life living this way. Try to make a healthy profit, yes, but never damn your soul by doing it. Ok, pep talk over....... I love you guys!! You make my life so much more enriching being around you. Thank you for being the men that you are!!! You make me very proud to call you my nephews!!!!......... Love, Uncle Jimmy''.........

Close Friends

I won't use names. Discretion is one of my main functions in life. I come from that long-ago time when a private life meant private. It wasn't polite to inquire about how much a person makes a year, what their house is worth, or, what they do in the bedroom. Many people tell me these things, but, I do not believe it is any of my business to invade a person's private life. Therefore, I will protect the innocent in this here blog and gingerly dance around without outing someone. That said, I have many friends I have had sex with....... Why state this? Well, as happens in my life, I was recently in a group of people at a bar. Some were young, others, like me, were fighting along the battlefield of middle-age. Sex is always on the platter at a bar get together, ripe for discussion. The subject of having sex with a friend was brought up. The young whippersnappers all believed that it was impossible to keep friendship and sex separate. I replied, no it was not. Many women I have as friends started out as sexual encounters and blossomed from there into straight friendship. And, the opposite has happened. Friends at first became sexual partners and then returned again as friends. The youngsters were stunned. That is not possible!!! Sex always ruins a friendship!!!........... No, it does not. Maybe, at their age it does. In your twenties, when you are really starting to have serious relationships for the first time, the lines between intimacy and friendship are very blurred. You are still very young and experimenting. When someone tries all of the items at the dinner table, he or she will hurt some feelings and ruin some relationships. That is common among the young. They are not mature enough to appreciate the moment and the realization that the people in your life now will not always be there. With maturity comes wisdom. And, you use that wisdom to define and work at who is the most important to you. When that is made clear, then you dedicate yourself to that love affair or that friendship. Feelings of your love for a person spill over between the two. By the time you are middle-age, you should have a good person or two that is also an extension of yourself. If you have many, God Bless. But, quality is more important than quantity........ Now, definition is the heart of having sex with a friend. If the subject is brought up logically and slowly, the pieces fall in line. Two friends should never start intimacy because you were both blasted out of your mind and let the hormones kick in. That is the warning sign and where many friendships break apart. Liquor is the most dangerous area to bring into the discussion. It must be from two clear minds. Because you are taking your feelings for each other in this new area, there should be no misunderstanding. Are we just doing this to get our rocks off or are we thinking this might be a positive new road for us?......... If it is purely sexual, then that is fine. I would rather my good female friends have sex with someone they trust, who will treat them well and with love and care, then some joker that was picked up at a party or a bar. They will give you sex, but, not the kind of sex you need. You are lonely and filled with a need to be loved. You want not only the orgasm but the person to hold you afterwords, with real feeling. Snuggling close to someone you care about is just as important as getting laid. More so, I believe. The action has ceased physically. But, the caring and love continue. In anything, after sex, you need that caring and love more. Ask yourself this, after you have had that first encounter with someone new and they have left, who is the first person you tell about this to? Perhaps, family. But, more likely, a close friend. Why? Because you value them and what they have to say. Sometimes, that call is not necessary because that person is the one holding you at that moment......... As we all know, sex with someone you love is vastly superior to someone you don't know. Sex becomes lovemaking. And, a friend, who understands your fears and your needs, is a good person to administer that lovemaking....... There is also some laughs. How can you not laugh among the two of you when you think about what you are about to do or have done. Laughing is fine. It releases good emotions in your bodies and also puts a little welcome reality to the situation. ''Can you believe we are about to do this? Ha!''........Most friendship hookups do come back for the need to alleviate loneliness. You need comfort and understanding. You need a close friend to share their caring with you and make a friend feel better. The media has snidely added the catchy nickname of ''Friends With Benefits'', as if two friends sharing their love for each other should be mocked by a hip name attached to it. No, if you call what you are having by that name, it will end badly for you. That means you are following what others do and try to label it as such. The true purpose is lost and then you risk bad feelings and that misunderstanding. No name for what you are doing needs to be attached. If one does, then use love. That speaks volumes....... I guess that now is the time to state that many female friends of mine I have not been intimate with. Some, I believe, it is good just to keep at a friendship level. I recognize that bringing lovemaking into the friendship could wipe out that friendship. And, the women realize it also......... In the final analysis, I believe that love for a friend is no different than love for a partner or your family. It all is sprung from the same well in my soul. True love and understanding for the people you care about. It all runs together as I get older. And, as we go into these cold months, sometimes you need a good friend to keep you warm........

Number 12

The new thing on Facebook is to be given a number. Then, with said number, you give facts about yourself. For example, if you are given the number 10, then ten fun-filled items comes floating out. Now, I have been given the number 12 by the lovely Kathi Krueger, so, I guess I must join the club and divulge pertinant facts. Taking a page from David Letterman, I will start with the highest number and countdown. Hold on to your socks......... 12). I used to be a member of the Commodores. 11). I love watching Green Bay Packer fans try to figure out how to use a bar of soap and toothpaste for the three teeth in their mouth. 10). Every Sunday, I free dance to the ''Dirty Dancing'' soundtrack. 9). Has impregnated half of the ''women'' at the Schaumburg DMV. 8). I co-wrote the hit country song, ''My Heart Belongs To My Country, But My Balls Belong To You.'' 7). Every November 22, I wear a pink dress and pink pillbox hat. 6). My losing of my virginity is coming out on Blu-Ray. Titled, ''Thirty Seconds And That Will Still Cost You A Hundred Bucks.'' 6). I once ran a massage parlor with Mother Teresa. 5). I love to say the word ''Telemundo.'' 4). I spend most Saturday nights bathing the elderly. 3). I once ran a distance, nonstop, of 200 feet to catch a woman falling who was carrying a pizza. Don't remember what happened to the woman. 2). My first wife was Eydie Gorme. 1). I taught square dancing and ballet to Charles Manson........ So, there I hope that closes any questions that might be asked about James Patrick Scoleri, so christened....... Oh, I will add one more thing as a final postscript........ I would like to fall in love again........ For all of the bluster and sexual free-talk that I speak, I am at heart very romantic. For those who really don't know me and just see the humor, that might be another humorous line in the long list of my off-center mind comments and imagination. However, the people closest to me----- family and close friends---- they have seen the other me. The me that loves and respects women and all that they are. I am constantly amazed and fascinated by the fairer sex. I know what it is like to be a guy, so, new insights into human behavior from the male point of view are old hat to me. Now, a woman!!! The sweetness and pure heart and soul of a woman, that makes me feel alive and kicking!!! I have always been very proud of my associations with women, whether they be of a friendship level or a romantic angle. I love being in love. I have had many romances, some short-term, a few long-lasting. I have had the wonderous joy of a woman by my side and I literally feel my heart beating with a new life. Sure, some of that feeling is sexually physical. But, the other half feels the power of having a woman that you love and being loved back. Just about all of us have had that feeling, what I am saying is not new. You know, that jump, that incredible jump, of all-around passion and love. That is why when I come across someone who is in a long-term relationship without that passion, I feel very sad for them and my romantic heart cries out for them. Many people are with someone that they really do not want to be with, while their soul aches for the other half that is missing. People stay together for a variety of reasons, be they financial or waiting until the children have grown. And, that breaks a romantic heart like mine....... Part of being a romantic is discretion. I date privately, many people close to me have not met my girlfriends, or perhaps, a few have been introduced. Why? Well, I believe that love is a very special gift. It needs the discretion of privacy for it to grow and sustain. Also, maybe, I live my life in compartments. I have a family space, along with a friends nook. The most serious compartment is that love compartment. And, that is an exclusive membership. A lot have women have visited this place, but, only a select few have had a gold card. My family and friends understand this and are respectful. In time, I will let all of them intermingle. But, when I feel the time is right...... Sometime in the future I will talk more in depth about my true loves. A hint: one really got to me. She saw the real me ( not an easy trick) and loved me unconditionally. We were together for four magic years. And, then......... I hope to find another love like this. Romantics always sustain on the feeling of hope. A few friends of mine are in the same boat. We are no longer 21, when all of life is still in front of you and hopes abound. We are weary from the battle........ But, the war for love will never go away.......