RIP!

[WalterB]

Joe Cocker was one of my favorite artists. John sent me a PM about this, so, if you don't mind, I'll just repeat my response to him here.

Joe toured the US in 1970 (had to look it up. I was thinking the late 60's) with a new group. He had previously been with The Grease Band, but I hadn't heard any of their music. His new group, which Leon Russel was instrumental in bringing together, was called "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," and it was called "The Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour." They made a movie of the tour. You may have heard the music or seen the movie.

A friend and I were "on the bum" in Detroit. The movie came to the Grand Circus theater and showed 4 or 5 times a day. We had nothing to do, so we scored some pot and went to the show. We liked Joe and the movie so much, that we went every day, 5 days a week, for a month. We lived on theater hot dogs and coke, lol. We'd step out back between showings, smoke a joint, and go back in for the next showing.

Yep! Crazy as hell, but we had a great time. After that, I liked a lot of Joe's music. I learned that Joe was living in Colorado in maybe the early or mid 90's, when I lived in Denver. Without looking it up, I want to say Aspen, but I don't really think it was there. (I looked. Crawford, Co.) He owned a Cafe in the town. I always thought about driving up there and hoping to meet him, but never did.

You will be missed, Joe. You were a great influence on the rock world, and will be missed by many.

One of my favorite songs. I had all ready decided that I want this played at my funeral. Rest in peace, Joe. And thanks for the memories.



Like a bird on a wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir,
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
Like a knight from an old fashioned book,
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
And if I, if I have been unkind,
Well, I hope that you can just let it go by.
And if I, if I have been untrue,
Well, I hope you know it was never to you.

Like a baby, stillborn,
Like a beast with his horn,
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song,
I swear by all that I have done wrong,
I will make, I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
Well, he cried out to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning by her darkened door,
She said to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.

[John_fromNY]

Joe Cocker was one of my favorite artists. You will be missed, Joe. You were a great influence on the rock world, and will be missed by many...

Very nice tribute to him Walter.

Joe Cocker ... the ultimate air guitarist.

[AussieSteve]

John & Walt, I agree with you both about Joe Cocker, he will be sadly missed by many people worldwide. Here in Oz he will be remembered unfortunately for his drugs bust in 1972 when on tour Down Under. Personally I love his early recordings (thanks guys for posting those clips ) Joe was one of the best British Blues/Soul singers of all time

[hotjulie]

We've had 2 kids commit suicide here in the last week. They were 14 and 16, I have no idea what makes them think that's the only answer. The funeral for Chase was Monday it was mostly done in Cree. So I didn't understand most of it, we gathered at the Chief Bull Memorial centre. How they do things is there's a wake at his house for 2 days and a fire is going that represents eternal life and there are drums the whole time. After the wake is a feast of traditional Native food, then the funeral. The chief spoke, most if the tribe elders and healers. After we went back to his house, there his ashes are put in a leather pouch made of deer skin. We walk to the burial ground and his brothers and best friends climb a tree and tie it to a branch. Eventually the leather strap rots and his ashes return to the earth. The chief talked to the kids, telling them it's no one fault that this has happened.

Sunday when I heard about Nikki taking her life is said to Gunther I can't take this anymore and asked if we could leave this town. That's 6 kids that have died in 5 months, 3 by suicide! He said if that's what I want he could ask for a transfer. I left and went to the tribe office and the elders were in what they call "The Talking Circle" I waited and was allowed to speak. How this works is everyone sits in a circle and your given the "Eagles Feathers" then you say what's on your mind. No one is allowed to interrupt or judge your thoughts. When your done the feather is passed around and they give their opinions and council. I told them what I said to Gunther, and couldn't take it. Now I never said anything about this but I've been given a Native name, I'm know as White Wolf. When each of them spoke they all said it's my choice, but am I teaching the kids when times are hard, turn and run, or face the adversity and become stronger! The one elder YellowBird, said to me We thought you were strong and above running, the name Wolf, means strength and leadership, something we falsely believed you had. I sat there and listened then took the feather and said through tears. I'm not going anywhere, I just need help how to deal with this. I was told that all the support and help I need is in the circle!

When I got home I told Gunther I had a change of heart and he told me he had no intention if asking for a transfer, that I'd see things from others view not about how bad it can get here.

We have another memorial to do for Nikki and she'll be taken back to her home in Ontario for her burial. Lots if tears in this town

[WalterB]

There are lot of people in this world, Julie, that do jobs that are not easy to do. They don't do them because they are easy. They do them because they are hard. You have earned the place those people have given you. Now is when you repay them. You can release the children's spirits and you can move forward, for the benefit of the parents and those others left behind.

[h0rnytoad1]

A good man and iconic character in Spock

Fare thee well \V/ R.I.P

[h0rnytoad1]

RIP Grace Lee Whitney, Janice Rand on Original Star Trek, She was my 1st Startrek crush

[WalterB]

Blues legend B.B. King died late Thursday, May 15th, at his home in Las Vegas at age 89. Mr. King was a legend in the music business, a pioneer and the iconic "King of the Blues." He will be sorely missed by many. Lucille has fallen eternally silent. The King is dead. Long live the King!

This is a long (13 min) cut, but I included it because it also includes several other Blues legends, including Eric Clapton and a couple who I think may be Jimmie Vaughn (Stevie Ray's brother) and Buddy Guy. (Could be wrong. May be others.) Later, Ron Woods, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray and a list of other players come on stage to make it a concert to be heard.

[h0rnytoad1]

Rip B.B. king it wasn't just the blues he rocked too !

[Foreverman52]

Next to Eric Clapton[,notice Foreverman] B.B.King is my number 2 guy.I know we all gotta go, it's never is easy to say goodbye ,even if i've never met that person.
I am glad i did know his musicthough. God bless B.B. King.

[entlim]

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AussieSteve]

RIP B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone (but not lost) Truly 1 of The all-time greats of the music business!

[hotjulie]

Two weeks ago one of the Band leaders Yellowbird passed away, she was 99 years old and so full of life. The last couple years ago she counselled me on so many things about the north, but mostly just life. I used to meet her for tea and she would talk, almost every time she would say "lets go and sit in the circle, you listen better in there, I can see it in your eyes!" She told me one time in confidence that when she turned 100 she wanted to have her favorite drink again, cause she quit drinking as a young girl, I asked her how young and she smiled and said 80! So for 2 days the fire burned outside her home, and the drums were going non stop, with the chanting for her soul. The day of the funeral the only English spoke was by me, the rest was all Cree, her ashes were put in the burial grounds by her great grandkids. I really miss meeting up with her, her teaching and the belief she had in me

[WalterB]

Sounds like quite the intelligent woman. Rest in Peace, Yellowbird.

[j.d.eeViant]

The 13th a terrific artist by the name of Jay Scott Pike passed away. He is probably best known for working at Atlas Comics in the 50's (before it became Marvel) and his pin-up work.

[Gert-Jan]

Dominating today's news.....

Legendary musician David Bowie has died following a battle with cancer just days after his 69th birthday.

[hotjulie]

I was away for almost 2 months cause we had 2 deaths, one in Gunther's family and the other was my mom. My mom and I never had a great relationship at all, but was still my mom. Her health was never very good after she had her stroke last year. So I had a lot of things to go through at her house, one thing was what to do with the house. It was willed to all 5 of us, so my 2 sisters and I have bought it, and my insane sister lives there with my 2 nieces. There's 100 acres of land too, so I told my one niece that we'd build a chicken coop for her, so she can make some money. With mom being sick I really thought things would change between us, but it never, she always questioned things we were doing up north. At the funeral we all spoke, but all I said was 'bye mom, love ya."

Also Gunther's Uncle Earl passed away, he had been sick for a number of years, he was so much fun. Whenever we would go to their place he would say to me, "hey baby, sit down here and tell me some bullshit that he's doing?" He was a farmer, but hadn't been farming for a number of years cause of his health. He had beautiful horses that were fun to ride, I had asked him about a horse for my niece last fall. So Gail, Earl and I went in the barn/corral and he said find one you like. She finally picked one, then said she had no money to buy one. he smiled and reached in his pocket and handed her an apple, then said to her. "If he takes this apple, he's yours to take home!" She put the apple in front of him and in one bite it was gone, she looked at him and said, your kidding me right! He laughed and said, no he's all yours, a gift from me. I looked over at his horse and saddle that was there and said to him what I used to say to one of my uncles, "hitch em up cowboy, lets ride! That was his last ride he went on and I'm so glad I was there.

[WalterB]

Awwww, Julie, so very sad about your mom. I remember some of those difficult times you had, and how your dad seemed to defend you to her. Even tho it wasn't the best relationship, I'm sure you loved her. I know you helped her on the farm when you could. Am so sorry to hear she has gone. You know, when my mom died (Dad died 6 years earlier,) there was no one left. It felt like the passing of an era. All I could remember were the things I should have done, the things I wish I had done, and the things I did that were wrong, that I couldn't go back and correct. But, bottom line, Julie? I know they loved me, warts and all. I don't know of any child ever lives up to what their parents want. But, they love us. Warts and all, they love us.

And best wishes to Gunther. It's nice to remember those nice stories about those we love. Gunther's uncle must have been quite a guy and I'm sure will be sorely missed.

This may not be appropriate, I don't know. But I'm sure you know my heart is in the right place.

[WalterB]

Rest in Peace Miss Patty Duke, who has died at age 69. Patty was an outstanding actress and activist for mental health and other causes. She will be sorely missed by many.

[CGYMike]

I'm gunna miss Patty Duke...one of the good ones and taken too soon