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Keying in on Ray Manzarek of the Doors

May 22, 2013

Another musical icon passed on Monday (cancer at the age of 74). Ray Manzarek was an innovative keyboardist and music maestro for the Doors. The face and voice of that famous rock group was Jim Morrison, but it was Manzarek's keyboard work that really set the tone, especially on some of their bigger hits like "Love Her Madly", "Break On Through", "Hello, I Love You", "LA Woman" and even lesser known songs like "Soul Kitchen". I am not in any way lessening the importance of guitarist Robby Krieger or drummer John Densmore; they were integral parts of the band. But Ray laid the musical foundation. The opening riffs of "Light My Fire" are embedded in me and a whole generation of children from the 60's.

Light My Fire: My Life With the Doors by Ray ManzarekAny time I heard Manzarek interviewed I was always struck by his articulate expression of the music, his craft, the "scene" and anything else he commented on. He was a good writer, too, and in addition to his memoir, Light My Fire: My Life With the Doors, he also penned two novels. One of them explored in fiction the urban myth of Jim Morrison faking his death. This Los Angeles Times article comments on his books.

It's inevitable as time goes on that more of the entertainers from the cultural revolution of the 1960's will be ending their earthly journey. It certainly gives me pause and reason to reminisce. It also offers the opportunity to introduce their talents and legacy to a new generation. The Doors are a prime example of a group that continued to gain new fans long after their heyday.


The Roar of the Tornado

May 20, 2013

It can sound like a thousand freight trains. The roar of a tornado is alarming, and with good reason. The news from today and yesterday about the powerful tornadoes that hit Oklahoma brought back memories of attending college in the late 1970's at the University of Oklahoma. Norman is the town where OU is based and it is also the national center for severe weather studies.

Many a time we would hear the tornado sirens blaring warnings and then we would scramble for shelter. In my time at the university we never had one touch down in Norman, but I recall once when a tornado flew right over our dorm building. Another time I and two college pals were emerging from a diner on the outskirts of Norman and the sky had that eerie green/black color. The hairs on our neck and arms were at static electricity attention. We looked at each other and quickly hopped in the car. Driving towards home we heard the sirens and had to stop at a bowling alley and hunker down while the twisters flew past us. We were lucky - no funnels hit our ground. But just a few miles away the storms wreaked havoc and destruction.

It's common to talk about the weather. When there really is something to talk about it is worth preserving the story. Natural disasters cause hardship and heartbreak. But they are also part of our personal history landscape. Got a storm memory to write about? Send me a short introduction. It could be the beginning of a memoir or life story.


Preserving Our American Family

May 14, 2013

Who is saving the voices of America? That's a pretty wide open question. Many people enjoy the stories that various family members share. In every family there is often somebody known for being a good storyteller. Over time those stories get better as they are repeated and they tend to become remembered and passed on.

But how many people actually record the talking of other family members? Get beyond being uncomfortable at being recorded and sit down with someone and talk to them, ask them about life, and save those recordings!

Doing this might give you a better idea of the importance of saving voices. To go beyond that and see how it is being done in a grander and more professional way, explore Our American Family. This project is capturing the voices of everyday families and documenting their extraordinary stories as a PBS television series. This is an excellent way for us to learn about our shared heritage and to better appreciate how every family has a story worth preserving.


Ice Cream Makers Oral History - How Dreyer's Is Preserving Their Success Story

May 8, 2013

Dreyer's is an ice cream making company whose story of developing from a small company to one of America's most popular brands is being preserved through oral history interviews that include former owners, investors and other significant players over the years. Their philosophy makes for a good story, but I also applaud how they are going about saving some important company history. Thanks to videographer RJ McHatton of Inventive Productions for alerting me and others to this story through the APH Facebook page.


Shoe Stories

May 6, 2013

Most of us are on our feet everyday. The shoes we wear can make a statement - perhaps about your work, lifestyle or degree of comfort or discomfort you are willing to put up with.

Shoe storiesRunning shoes tell a story. The pair pictured here are my latest and they are about to be retired. Since 2006 I've been doing some distance running and that has included a couple of marathons and another half dozen half marathons. I've run for charity, for fitness, for spiritual release and just for the sheer need to be outdoors taking in the world from the perspective of a runner. That means legs and lungs pumping, music in my ears and a song in my heart.

I've never run the Boston Marathon (I'm not that good), but when the tragic news broke about the bombings at this year's event it struck me to the core. I immediately felt a bond with all the people who were affected. That bond is even stronger now that I've had a chance to read some of the amazing short contributions by runners from this year's event. Boston Magazine was getting their May issue ready to go to the printers when this year's Boston Marathon was defiled. But the act of terrorists cannot kill the spirit of runners, Boston nor good people everywhere. This is a fact we've seen comfirmed many times since April 15.

The staff of the magazine made the right decision to change their cover and provide a feature story. They didn't have much time to work on it, but the response via social media, email and personal contact was great and they were able to include some powerful reports from people who participated in the marathon. And the picture on the cover of the magazine is awe-inspiring. Running shoes in the shape of a heart with the middle left open and the words, "We Will Finish The Race". Good job, Boston Magazine. Well done, contributors. Boston Strong, indeed.


In Passing - Death as Transition

April 29, 2013

I've often wondered at the analogy some use about dying, that it is like the passing of a baton. We are carrying the "baton" of this life and when we die we pass it off. I must admit I like the image of our carrying something through life, be it our gift, our personality, or our essence, that is left behind as we pass over to the next life or plane of existence.

"In passing" - it's a phrase that is with me again. Two days ago my aunt died. She was 88 and lived a good life, full of adventure, travel and a variety of experiences. She was modest and quiet, didn't like to talk about herself, but she knew a lot and loved to read books on history. | continue reading |


Richie Haven's Unique Voice

April 25, 2013

Those who saw the Woodstock Festival documentary (or were lucky enough to be there in person in 1969 for "three days of peace, love and music") were treated to an incredible opening. One man, with his guitar, percussive strumming and singing, delivered a tour de force. Folk singer Richie Havens - there simply wasn't anybody else like him in music. His riveting raspy voice, his passionate delivery and his interpretation of songs was unique.

His voice was more than the sound coming from his vocal chords. He spoke volumes in action and deed. Richie Havens passed away at the age of 72 this week and the the many great comments I've seen repeated from the likes of fellow musicians, broadcasters and journalists all seem to have a similar theme.
All week long I've been reading comments on Facebook from some of my dear former radio colleagues as well as a few who participated in Woodstock. There was Michael Shrieve, a mere teenager at the festival and memorable for his inspiring drumming with Santana, lamenting that he never was able to put together the collaboration with Havens he'd hoped for. Pete Townshend, guitarist and songwriter for the Who chipped in about missing the great man. Even Wavy Gravy, the iconic hippie, posted a haiku tribute.

He was admired for his music, but also for his love of others, his huge heart and great personality. These are the kinds of things said after someone dies that demonstrate the lasting impression a person can leave from a life well lived. 

I always loved Richie's version of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun". He took George Harrison's song in a different direction and made it his own.

It seems like a lot of celebrities have died recently. Maybe this happens in spurts, or maybe I've just noticed. Richie Haven's one that couldn't happen without a comment. I loved his unique voice. Find out more about him. There is plenty online, including this NPR article that includes some great video of Havens at Woodstock.


Boston Be Strong and Brave

April 21, 2013
B Strong Boston
When fans gathered at Fenway Park in Boston on April 20, 2013 they came for more than a baseball game. On this particular Saturday Bostonians came to the ballpark both to seek companionship and a return to normalcy.They also came remember and honor the lives lost or dramatically changed after the bombings and violence of the past week.

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Bombs at Boston Marathon - A Runner's Lament

April 16, 2013

Running a marathon is very hard. The long distance running event of 26.2 miles takes a physical, mental and emotional toll on every contestant. This doesn't include the long hours and many miles of training leading up to the event. I know from personal experience, having run my first two marathons the year I turned fifty.

The news of the tragedy that unfolded in Boston on Monday, April 15, 2013 at the most iconic of all marathons has once again rocked our world. Two bombs went off near the finish line about two hours after the first runners finished. Thousands were crowded into the area and the bombs created instant destruction and harm. At the time I am writing this three people have been confirmed dead, including an eight year old boy, and 144 injured.

As a runner this act of terrorism affects me in a way I couldn't predict. When I heard the news yesterday afternoon I was shocked, angered and saddened. I thought of how drained, and yet elated, I felt at the conclusion of the marathons I've run. And I remember how my family members were at the finish line cheering me on. I thought of the many doing the same at Monday's Boston Marathon. This bombing is a violation of life and something that normally would be a great celebration. It is an attack on something sacred. To me it is as bad as bombing a religious service.

There is a code among runners. I've seen it in the eyes of others who trudged the hard miles of long distances, a silent exchange that acknowledges that we are doing something difficult, yet triumphant. Many runners often take up the challenge of a marathon as a way to bring attention to certain causes. An example is fighting cancer and fundraising for research through organizations such as Team in Training to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I have family members and friends who've died of cancer and I have run in support of this research. It was one of the most important things I've done in my life (read The Finish Line).

Our prayers, thoughts and support go out to all affected by the bombings. Tragedy happens in our lives, but the human spirit will prevail. Hearts will reach out in support and compassion. Already I've heard of many Bostonians opening their homes to stranded visitors. Our lives and our stories about the events of our lives are important to preserve. We need to remember, to honor and to send a message to the world that we will not be defeated by cowardly acts of terrorism.


Thumbs Up for the Life of Roger Ebert

April 8, 2013
Roger Ebert, film critic
I never met the man, but I feel like I know him. I read many of Roger Ebert's film reviews over the years. Sometimes I angrily disagreed, at other times it was more of a shrug that we didn't see eye-to-eye, but there were also plenty of times when I thought his insight was terrific. He clearly loved the movies and loved to write and talk about them. He saw them as a way to comment about life in general, which perhaps makes the title of his memoir, Life Itself: A Memoir, all the more appropriate.

Like many people of my generation, I often watched Ebert and Siskel battle back and forth over film reviews. They clearly loved the debate. And if a movie got two thumbs up they would both articulate why they felt that way, sometimes sparking additional debate!

Longtime Chicagoan, Roger Ebert was laid to rest today after passing away from a long bout with cancer this past Thursday (Tribune article by Mark Caro). He was 70 years old and the past few years a man who loved to talk couldn't after complications from a surgery to fight his thyroid cancer in 2006. But he still continued to write and he had a real gift for commentary, not just about movies, but also about his view on life, love, social justice and a myriad of other topics. I've been reading some postings and, in particular, I recommend Tim Grierson of PASTE with My Roger Ebert, and the Salon interview reposted, I do not fear death.

Thank you, Roger Ebert, for sharing your insight, commentary and passion for the moview. "Thumbs up" on a life well-lived.

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