SERENDIPITY, KARMA, AND WORLD PEACE

I have a confession to make. I steal magazines. Oh, not the brand new ones fresh off the rack. No, I steal from waiting rooms: dentists, oil changes, all over town. Now, in my own defense I will say that generally speaking these magazines are a minimum of 2 years out of date, and some waiting rooms have raggedly piles that go back even further. But it never fails; I always find one that’s just sitting there waiting for me, with some interesting and pertinent factoid that I would otherwise have missed if I hadn’t happened to be right there on that day and that time. It’s a perfect example of serendipity. Lately, however (in fact, ever since My Name Is Earl made it’s TV debut) I switched from stealing and keeping old mags to stealing, photocopying the articles, and returning them. Never hurts to keep an eye on one’s karma, eh what.

So this morning, I just happened to need to see someone at my bank who was not a teller, but had an office room. And while I was seated, waiting, a Reader’s Digest on a nearby table just happened to catch my eye. The cover article showed a hippie-ish looking woman holding a birthday-type cake with a big peace sign on it. The caption read, “The iconic symbol turns 50 this spring.” A quick check of the date of the issue: May 2008. Oh good, it’s not too late; we haven’t missed it. Then it occurred to me in a sudden flash of insight that perhaps the release date of the new Ben & Jerry’s flavor (see previous post) is no fluke. Perhaps it was intentional! What goes better than birthday cake than ice cream?! I think I may be on to something here, my friends.

It seems the symbol known literally around the world as the “Peace Sign” was invented in 1958 (well before the Summer of Love etc.) by a British graphic artist named Gerald Holtom, who was also a conscientious objector. There was a growing movement in Britain at the time to stop the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Lots of different groups were joining together in protest, and they needed a symbol or logo that would be instantly recognizable. So Holtom designed a combination of the two semaphore signals for the letters “N” and “D” for “Nuclear Disarmament” and placed it in the circle of life. Maybe you already knew this, but it was a real revelation to me. I remember a kind of urban legend floating around back in the 60s, that the symbol stood for “Ban the Bomb” since but nobody I knew was fluent in semaphore, we weren’t quite sure how it all came together. Now, 50 years later – the answer!

If you’re interested, either pick up (and pay for!) a copy of Reader’s Digest or buy the book the article was excerpted from, “Peace: 50 Years of Protest” by Barry Miles. I think it sounds like a very interesting read. Speaking of, I mustn't forget to take that "hot" mag back to the bank...

Photo of garlic peace sign from Wikipedia Commons

GIVE PIECES A CHANCE

Yesterday I saw a news item online announcing a brand new flavor from the Ben and Jerry ice cream company. In conjunction with John Lennon’s estate, the world will soon be introduced to “Imagine Whirled Peace.” Described as “a caramel and sweet cream whirl of chocolate-covered peace signs and toffee pieces,” you can almost feel your hips expanding just reading about it. In addition, the new dairy delight will be heralded by a re-enactment of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-In for Peace. Well, the whole thing sure got my attention. If there’s two things I love in this world, it’s ice cream, and peace!

For those who might like a refresher, here is A Quickie History of the Bed-In. Back in 1969, when John and Yoko got married, they decided to invite the whole world along on the honeymoon, and turned it into a celebration promoting peace. The media and other invited guests could stop by, hang out - whatev - from nine in the morning ‘til nine at night. John and Yoko greeted everyone, gave interviews etc. in their PJs, all while ensconced in their hotel room bed. The honeymoon Bed-In happened in Amsterdam, but it was so much fun, not to mentioned effective at getting the message out, they decided to hold another one in New York. Of course, there was the small matter of John’s 1968 marijuana conviction, which put the kibosh on a U.S. location (too politically hot) so they went to the Bahamas, but left after one night (too meteorologically hot) and flew to Montreal (you can pretty much always count on Canada to be cooler, meteorologically and politically!). That’s the Bed-In that most people remember, because of the famous video of everybody singing “Give Peace A Chance” (see 18 Feb 2008 post). At the time, Lennon took some flack from the press, who accused him of doing it as a stunt for publicity (what’s wrong with publicizing peace?) and for money. Lennon shot back that if he was in it for money, he could make a lot more in one hour writing a song than he could spending seven days in bed talking about peace (touché!). From there, the whole idea has gone on to become a staple of the pop cultural repertoire, from protests to performance art. The latest reference I could find was dated 2006, by the group Green Day, so you gotta know the association of peace and beds is here to stay. And now, we can add another thing to the list. Ice cream.

Actually, the combination isn’t as far-fetched as you and I might at first think. Ben and Jerry’s is actually one of the more “green" companies out there (and no strangers to social causes like fair trade either). Here’s a taste of what’s on their website (and no, I am not getting any freebies for doing this, darnit) http://www.benjerry.com/our_company/

Meanwhile, the new Imagine Whirled Peace flavor takes its place along with flavors named in honor of other famous musicians, such as Xavier Nougat, Milli Vanilla, Honey Bono, and of course, the B&J all-time best seller, and my personal fave, Cherry Garcia. Beyond that, there’s a who’s who of the famous from Desmond Tutti-Frutti to Candy Warhol to Sherbet Hoover. If there’s a third thing I love in this world, it’s a real goofy pun.

John Lennon, Imagine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg
This is such a lovely video, I think you'd know it was about peace even if you didn't know the song.

Ben and Jerry, Cookie Dough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZzS5co0KfY

THE GOOD OL' HOCKEY GAME

At this point, we just have to take a small break from our usual programming to get in the Stanley Cup spirit. Of course, being a Detroit native, it's easy for me too feel good right about now, with the Wings up two in the finals. As a previous resident of Calgary, there were some tense moments when the Flames played the Wings, but now that I'm living here in southern Ontario, I can cheer for the Wings all I like and not have to look over my shoulder... In fact, there's a lot of Wings window flags in town these days. Many fans in this part of Ontario cheer for Detroit teams over the nearest Canadian choice, Toronto. And I did see one lone Pittsburgh flag go by a while back. Anyway, as you may know, hockey was invented in Canada. Oh sure, they may have played something like it in some European countries in the really early days, but the modern ice hockey as we know it was formalized by student at Montreal's McGill University in the 1870s. Anyway, as a person who has kind of hyphenated origins myself, I can appreciate the cross-border flow that hockey enjoys today. Every team on the ice today has American, Canadian and European players. It's all good, as they say.

You may be wondering what music I'll select to go with this post. Well actually that's real easy - someone on YouTube has put up a great video of hockey footage from days gone by (no helmets!) and set it to a tune of Canada's Living Cultural Treasure - Stompin' Tom Connors. It's called, appropriately, "The Hockey Song." Stompin' Tom (born in New Brunswick in 1936) is a folk singing hero in the Great White North. Kind of Wood Guthrie with a pinch of with the MacKenzie brothers. His most famous and beloved songs up here are "Bud the Spud" "Margo's Cargo" "Sudbury Saturday Night" (oh the girls are out to Bingo and the boys are getting stinko, and we'll think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday night). and my personal fave, "Algoma 69" - She's on a bar-hoppin' spree back in Sault Ste. Marie... Why is he called Stompin' Tom, you may wonder? Well, it's because of his signature one foot time-keeping stomp when he's up at the mic, performing. So have a listen, and if you call me next Wednesday night, I probably won't pick up. Go Wings!

The Hockey Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZWxErEbQkY

And, since this one is on YouTube, too, I can't resist putting it here...listen for the stomp!
Algoma 69 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78_4pLlY6mY

Update 2 hours later... oh what the heck, I have to put this one here, too . Wonder how many stomping boards he's gone through in his career? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkHhx3y__9w

FEATURE ARTISTS - TOMMY BOYCE AND BOBBY HART

Oldies fans will surely remember Boyce (picture L.) and Hart (on the R.) for a smattering of ‘60s hits, most notable being the snappy “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight.” (same title as one by Barry and The Tamerlanes, but that’s a totally different song). I always liked the Boyce and Hart one, especially when they “talk” to each other during the song. Aren't they cute! If you were thinking that particular song has an infectious, toe tapping, Monkee-ness about it, you’re very observant. Boyce and Hart wrote a whole swack of hits for the Monkee boys, including “Last Train to Clarksville,” “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone,” “Valleri,” and “Words.” Boyce also co-wrote “Pretty Little Angel Eyes” with Curtis Lee, Hart co-wrote “Hurt So Bad” and “Goin’ Out of My Head” with Teddy Randazzo, which became big hits for Little Anthony and the Imperials. The duo wrote “Come a Little Bit Closer” for Jay and The Americans, too. And that’s the short list of what they wrote.

In addition to all this, plus their own recording career, the boys also had gigs on several popular TV shows, including Bewitched. And there was a 1971 spin-off of The Partridge Family that was loosely based on the two songwriters (their roles played by Bobby Sherman and Wes Stern). What an amazing roster; we’re talking pop culture royalty here, folks! And, if all that wasn’t enough, Boyce and Hart also penned the unforgettable theme for the long-running soap opera, Days Of Our Lives. You remember (at least those who will admit they watched it) the one with the swelling music behind the giant hourglass. I was a big DOOL fan for a number of years. Yes, it’s true. I always felt a real affinity to the characters on that show, because, you see, I too have been kidnapped and buried alive by the incredibly evil town villain. I’ve also had amnesia multiple times. And don’t forget that time I was possessed by the devil. That was harsh! Oh, and then there was the time I re-married that one guy thinking he was my long lost – sigh, never mind, I won’t bore you with the details; let’s just say I’ve had quite the life. Okay, enough about me; let’s have a listen to some Boyce and Hart…

I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight (plus a very short medley intro) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW7NDdq5Es4
Check out those suits! This is obviously post-British Invasion. There's another b/w video of this on YouTube with the boys in Nehru jackets and love beads. That'll take ya back all right.

Ta da! The Days Of Our Lives theme. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4G1lr30bzc
And then there was my really embarrassing paternity mix-up - sorry, I know I said I was done...

JOHNNY, DONNIE AND BERTHA LOU, or WHAT'S IN A NAME?

A friend who is also into the oldies mentioned a title he’d recently requested on WPON – “Doll House” by Donnie Brooks. I certainly do remember Donnie Brooks for his main hit, “Mission Bell.” That one is pretty high up on my list of Top 101 Faves, but try as I might, I couldn’t quite remember “Doll House.” Still, I had the feeling that, if I heard it, I might remember it. Fortunately, someone on YouTube has posted “Doll House” so I was able to test my theory. Ah, it all came back to me, I did faintly remember hearing that song so long ago. And so I should, it was a Top 40 hit!

After that, I decided to look up some info on Donnie (who left us for Rock and Roll Heaven only last year). It seems, like many artists of yesteryear, he ditched his birth name in favor of something a little more career-friendly. Donnie was born John Dee Abohosh. (kind of a mouthful, but really, not all that bad, we music fans have all heard worse). Later, he was adopted by a stepfather and got the new surname, Fairecloth (okay, that sounds a little, um, antiquated for rock and roll, let’s see, what else we got). Once he started performing professionally, he was known as Johnny Faire. That’s kinda snappy; I like that. Under this name, he recorded “Bertha Lou, ” a song that rockabilly artist Clint Miller had better luck with. I became briefly aware of Bertha Lou when writing a chapter (Songs About Real People) for my upcoming book, Peanut Butter and Mashed Potatoes (sequel to Papa Do Run). Bertha Lou may be another rather uncommon, slightly old-fashioned name for a girl, but judging from the lyrics, she is a force to be reckoned with. Before you laugh, let me show you…

Bertha Lou, Bertha Lou
Let me slip around with you
If I could raise some sand
I'd be a mighty-mighty man
'Cause you're so ooooh, Bertha Lou

Bertha Lou, Bertha Lou
Gotta get a date with you
If I could hear you moan
On Mr. Bell's telephone
Ain't no tellin' what I'd do, Bertha Lou

You wear your hair in a poodle cut
You're walkin' down the street like a semi-truck
And everybody knows that you're so sweet
You tickle from head to my ath-a-lete's feet

Hey-hey, Bertha Lou
I wanna conjugate with you
You know my blood is running' wild
And I know you ain't no child
When you do what you do, Bertha Lou
(Rock! Rock! Rock!)

Despite it's obviously heavy-duty sentiment, the song did not do well for Johnny. Throughout all this, however, the label still believed in him, and they tried again - but not before changing his name one more time. What, again!? We may well ask: was he fed up with having to go start over with another new name? Did he feel his career was just going around in circles? Did he offer any resistance? Did this struggle with the label owners turn into a real donnybrook? Who can say… What we can say is that Donnie Brook’s next big hit was the highly sing and danceable “Mission Bell.” That one went all the way to #7. Let’s have a listen.

Donnie Brooks, Doll House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jGXSv6ENZA

Donnie Brooks, Mission Bell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjEhRqNv2U

and, since it's also there, why not check out Ms. Bertha Lou, by Clint Miller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19FUSnW4e1Q

FIVE THINGS TO DO ON THE MAY LONG WEEKEND

Just in time for holiday Monday (Victoria Day here in Canada) and looking ahead to the Memorial Day weekend across the border, here’s a list of cool things you can do for fun on the long weekend, and of course, some oldies to go along with them. Where would we be without our music!

1) Go to the beach (Beach Blanket Bingo movie trailer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDesGtp-JII
Guys – remember when pants were actually worn at your waistline instead of slung halfway down your “bum” (polite Canadian term)? Girls – remember when every bra looked like one of Madonna’s?

2) Go biking! (Black Denim Trousers, The Cheers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_eULhKz2v8
Maybe you want to get out there on a two-wheeler and feel closer to nature. You dog you! Just remember to protect your eyes...

3) Go cruising! (No Particular Place To Go, Chuck Berry)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIc2vZ2ZZ5A
Why did they stop making those little triangular vent windows? They were such a good idea! Great for flicking out those cigarette butts - back before you knew how bad smoking was. And littering. Oh well, if you stop for a while at least you can save some gas and...

4) ...Watch the Submarine Races (Rhapsody in the Rain, Lou Christie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnFU-bMDICE
If the windows start to steam up too much, just open the little vent…

5) Have a party (Party Lights, Claudine Clark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NSIW1QNMj4
Invite all the gang, put up some lights and lanterns, a washtub full of Coke (a-Cola!), fire up a bag of charcoal briquettes and burn some burgers…

Happy long weekend, have fun everybody!

Photo of Angie in her doggles from
http://gl1200goldwings.com/

DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 90

Recently, my BFF friend came here from Calgary for my birthday, and in addition to some cool prezzies, gave me an article from her local paper (The Calgary Herald, Swerve Magazine insert, May 02-08) which was titled “Most Singable Beatles / Beach Boys Songs.” The list of titles and their parent albums went like this: Michelle (Beatles, Rubber Soul), God Only Knows (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds), I Am The Walrus (Beatles, Sgt. Pepper), Revolution (Beatles, White Album), and Good Vibrations (Beach Boys, Smiley Smile). Now, you or I may debate the selection, but remember, it’s the personal choice of the writer (notable Canadian music coach and director Brian Farrell). However, I think he momentarily got his wires switched, because he mentioned a trivia fact about the Beach Boys song Vegetables under the section about God Only Knows/Pet Sounds rather than under Smiley Smile. But that’s just a minor thing compared to the wonderful nature of the trivia he revealed: the song about “Vegetables” features Paul McCartney and the Boys themselves, all chomping on raw veggies as “percussion.” And apparently, McCartney was “playing” a carrot.

As soon as I read that, I wondered why I hadn’t heard this trivia before. I certainly have a ton of BBs albums. Surely such an important bit of musical minutia must be in the liner notes, so why hadn’t I come across it before? A quick trip to the CD shelf, slide the liner notes out of the Smiley Smile jewel case, and…I immediately understood. The font size is…is…it's microscopic! And I say that not as someone who has just turned 61 (or, as I prefer to call it, my fashionably late 50s) and who wears trifocals (invisible!). Nay, I say that as someone who recognizes that even a teenager would need a reading glass for this info. Really, trust me, it's small. Well, whatever the circumstances, I’m very happy to have learned that goofy bit of musical history. And let me also add that, as children, we baby boomers were regularly admonished by our parents to finish those mushy carrots on our plates because they were “good for your eyes.” I can further add that all my life I have eaten plenty of raw carrots; I happen to really like them. But they obviously didn’t help me with that teensy-weensy liner note font one cotton-pickin’ bit! I don’t know if parents these days are still pushing medicinal carrots on their offspring. All I know is that when I was young, we had a saying: “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” Now you know why. You just have to adjust the age, like everything else, for inflation.

And now, for your musical enjoyment, here's a cute little vid of “Vegetables” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noy1WTESmgY

Let's listen to this one as well. It’s pretty singable, and danceable, too.

Jolly Green Giant, The Kingsmen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P1LF16OHbI
Everybody likes their veggies when these guys list them off.