Some Metal and Rock ‘N Roll Thoughts – Sunday, November 4th, 2012
Last week was bizarre and filled with one reality check after another, for me. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania and lived most of my life in (very expensive) Connecticut; therefore my respect and fear of hurricanes is without question real. Our region of the country already suffered through a storm of the century, during the very end of August 2011. A vicious ice storm followed in late October of 2011. Of course, many (if not all) of you know that Hurricane Sandy made her presence felt on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.
October 29th and 30th were grueling days, while waiting out this super storm. The biggest fear was waiting out this hurricane Monday night. Looking out the windows, all I or my family could see was total blackness. All we could hear was wind that sounded like freight trains speeding around and on top of our house. This entire experience was all a reality check, once again. We were fortunate to have not been harmed and our house was not damaged. Our power was on again/off again during the first 48 hours; still we never lost power permanently. Call it luck and luck is never a guarantee in life.
NASA satellite imagery of Hurricane Sandy
Our city still has tens of thousands of families without power, as I write this (Saturday at 7:31 pm EST). The New Jersey and New York citizens that have suffered from Hurricane Sandy reminds me of just how lucky my family and I are… this time. I posted about the charitable organizations that are currently helping in the aftermath of this hurricane. In case you missed it, you can read about it by clicking the link below:
Hurricane Sandy – These Charitable Organizations Are Providing Relief During The Aftermath
On to another reality check. To add more sadness to this Halloween season, on our school district’s designated Halloween night, a classmate of my daughters was struck by a passing car, while trying to cross a street. This innocent young lad passed away from the injuries he sustained. My daughters knew this young lad and have been coping with this tragedy through an open-door policy of discussion within our family. I pray that this young lad finds peace in heaven.
The reminders that keep knocking on my brain’s door these last several days are: life is precious, our time on Earth is not predictable nor guaranteed and material items are worthless compared to being alive. Yes, the comforts of a car, cell phone, laptop, electricity, house and personal items makes life easier; only these things truly are secondary to being alive. Family, friends, Metal Buddies, my faith and music are what matters most to me. Since Metal and Rock ‘N Roll are imbedded in my soul, they’re no longer material items to me. Metal be thy name.
And yet another reality check…
Recently, Metal Buddy and Witch Cross vocalist, Kev Moore, informed Metal Odyssey readership and I the following:
“I want to give a ‘head’s up’ to KING’S X drummer Jerry Gaskill and his wife who’ve lost their NJ home and all their possessions. Jerry also had to contend with a heart attack in February. This year really sucks for him. Buy their albums people! They rock! Friends and family have also launched a campaign to help them rebuild from this second tragedy to blight their lives:”
http://www.giveforward.com/jerrygaskill
You can get more info on Jerry Gaskill’s music here: http://www.jerrygaskill.com
Jerry Gaskill
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W.A.S.P. has been celebrating their 30 Years Of Thunder in 2012, coinciding with straight-from-the-heart written installments from the legendary Blackie Lawless (founder, vocalist and guitarist of W.A.S.P.). These 30 Years Of Thunder installments can be read here: http://www.waspnation.com
Installment #14 from Blackie Lawless is… you’ve guessed it… one more reality check. I express my condolences to Blackie Lawless for his personal loss.
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Of course I turned to Metal for soothing away my worries all last week. Funny thing is, the one song that really seemed to cheer me up and inspire me in ways I cannot explain was originally co-written by Charlie Chaplin. Yes, the silent film icon known as Charlie Chaplin.
The song is Smile and it is a cover version from the legendary Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra fame). Smile is among 11 cover songs from Jeff Lynne’s solo album Long Wave. All 11 songs are Pre-Rock classics that Jeff Lynne has turned into magic for my ears. The melody and lyrics of Smile simply moves me. Unreal.
JEFF LYNNE – LONG WAVE
Released on October 9th, 2012, via Frontiers Records.
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LONG LIVE METAL & ROCK ‘N ROLL.
LONG LIVE JERRY GASKILL.
LONG LIVE BLACKIE LAWLESS & W.A.S.P.
LONG LIVE JEFF LYNNE.
HURRICANES REALLY, REALLY SUCK.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
November 4, 2012 at 1:15 am
I’m glad that your family got through the storm safely.
My condolences to your daughters’ classmate’s family.
November 4, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Thank you tokyo5… you’re a Metal Buddy \m/\m/
November 4, 2012 at 8:32 am
Great post – you’ve said all I could ever say in the comment section. Life is fragile – hope your kids weather there own storm. Sad news to hear.
November 4, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Thank you atothewr. As that old saying goes: “time heals” \m/\m/
November 4, 2012 at 9:59 am
So touching. I hope everything is and will get better out there. Stay strong and all will be well 🙂
Life is too short indeed. We all have to live it to the maximum I guess…
November 4, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Thank you Melody of the Soul. I agree, with your last thought… it’s one day at a time and be glad we’re alive! \m/\m/
November 11, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Glad you are safe. I have family in Eastern PA, Philly and D.C. and all managed the storm fine, but I was terribly worried about them all anyway.
Regarding Jeff Lynne….I won’t pretend to be an expert on the guy, but there’s an outstanding documentary on him called Mr. Blue Sky, which covers the recording of Smile. I really recommend it. Changed my mind about the guy, that’s for sure.
November 12, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Thanks Metal Buddy. Happy to hear your family was not impacted in any negative way from that awful hurricane.
I’ll have to check out that documentary on Jeff Lynne! Whoa! I am pleased to hear you have a better impression on him now. Funny thing is, I was into ELO at the same time as KISS, as a very young lad… so I just grew up with those ELO albums and never tired of them. (Like comfort food).
Kev Moore has mentioned The Move on other posts and I’m checking out that history of Jeff Lynne now. I never purchased any albums of The Move back in the day.
Rock Steady \m/\m/