Happy Birthday to Robert Fripp, who is turning 80 today! Guitarist in King Crimson from 1968 up until more or less now. Although there’s been no activity from the band since 2021, no official breakup’s been announced. There’s even rumours about a new album, which has not been denied by Robert Fripp.
In addition to King Crimson’s 13 studio albums and around 20 live albums, Robert Fripp has released three solo albums and a load of albums in collaboration with other musicians. He has also done a fair share of session work, perhaps most notably the guitar on the David Bowie’s classic song Heroes.
However, to celebrate Robert Fripp turning 80, we need some classic King Crimson. So get ready for a twelve minutes prog extravaganza. Happy Birthday to Robert Fripp
I’d like to pay tribute to Dennis Locorriere, who passed away yesterday at the age of 76. He was the singer and guitarist in the American band Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show (later shortened to just Dr. Hook). This band had big sucess in the 1970’s and 80’s, with number 1 hits in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zeeland and South Africa, while also charting high in everal other countries, including the band’s home country.
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show’s signature song and biggest success was Sylvia’s Mother, which sold around one million copies worldwide. So this song may be a fitting tribute to the memory of Dennis Locorriere. Thank you for the music Dennis, may you be remembered
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - Sylvia’s Mother (live ca.1973/74)
Once again, here’s to an actor. Dennis Hopper (1936-2010) was born 90 years ago today
The Byrds - I Wasn’t Born To Follow (1969)
Dennis Hopper - If (The Johnny Cash Show, 1970)
If,
Poem by Rudyard Kipling, written ca.1895
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
I got on a roll today, and was inspired for yet another song run-down. The song for the evening is Across the Universe by The Beatles, written by John Lennon. So buckle up for a long ride
Starting with Norwegian singer Aurora’s laidback and somewhat sombre version…
Aurora - Across the Universe (2019)
The American singer/songwriter Fiona Apple used scenes from the movie Pleasantville in the official video of her version of the song
Fiona Apple - Across the Universe (1998)
The Slovenian band Laibach has been accused of an authoritarian and militaristic image, both from the left and the right. The band themselves is quoted as saying: “We’re as much about fascism as Hitler is about painting.” Laibach has done an album of Beatles covers, including our song of the evening.
Laibach - Across the Universe (1988)
When David Bowie did his version, he got John Lennon to do guitar and backing vocals.
David Bowie - Across the Universe (1975)
Finally, we’ve gotten to the original…
The Beatles - Across the Universe (1970)
It may be a cliche from me by now, but if you actually got this far, you are my friend!
One year ago today I lost my best mate to cancer, so I got a little thoughtful tonight. Still, I want to celebrate his memory with a fun cover version of one of his favourite songs, played by an all-girl punk band from Chicago.
I think he would have liked this version. I wish I could’ve shared it with him
Since I was seventeen, I have played in bands with Dick on saxophone, including Pink Floyd.
His feel and tone make his saxophone playing unmistakable, a signature of enormous beauty that is known to millions and is such a big part of songs such as Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Us and Them and Money.
He played in the last band I had that included Rick Wright for the On An Island Tour and at Live 8 with Pink Floyd.
Here are some pictures of him, including one of him and me playing for the ABC Minors at the Victoria Cinema in Cambridge in 1963.
