Friday, August 14, 2009

Les Paul Dead

Another legend has joined the pantheon in Rock and Roll Heaven. Les Paul is dead at age 94. (June 9, 1915–August 13, 2009)

Lester William Polsfuss, (a.k.a. Les Paul) was a musician and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar, which "made the sound of rock and roll possible." He is credited with inventing or discovering many recording innovations including overdubbing (also known as sound on sound), delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording.(Source: Wikipedia)

So, yeah, he didn't INVENT the electric guitar, but he was one of those handful of pioneers that brought the electric sound to public attention. Funny that even as late as the 1960's the sound was shunned by purists, with Bob Dylan being called a sellout and a traitor by the die-hard folkies.

We really don't think much about it today, but what would our world be like today if the electric guitar -- and amplified sound, for that matter -- had not been invented? What was it about a screaming guitar that fueled the imagination and fired up a generation or two? Would Woodstock have been remembered 40 years later if Jimmy Hendrix had not played the Star-Spangled Banner left-handed on a right-hand strung Fender? (and later set it on fire?)

It might even be argued that the world might not be quite as America-centric as it is were it not for our Rock Musicians. It sounds like the ravings of an over the hill rocker, but in truth it bears examination. As much as our Hollywood stars did for the cause, it was our electric musicians that took who we are to the world -- in a way that the British Invasion never could. While bands like the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, etc are not "from around here," I believe they came here because of what America represents. Had it not been for the ready acceptance of the American audience, those bands would never have made it elsewhere. Hell, we made modern music what it is, for better or worse.

RIP, Les. Rock In Peace

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Jobs we have today...

A "small" job of setting 30 large boulders at the newly renovated Aberdeen Hall at Harford County Community College: call Vance. Actually the foreman, Jon, did the work with a skid-steer and I stood there pointing to the ground. We did 'face' several of the boulders for the 'right effect'. Ya never know whats going to be next on the job list. I dig it!

Where is the Moonpie Mug?

Moonpie Mugs could show up anywhere.
Even in the Winners Circle!

This Harley Flat-tracker is so tough, even just sitting there.


It was a hot day at the track for all who attended.




This guy is just good 'ol CRAZY! Harley motor on a street luge. No brakes and no steering! I got totally sunburned on the face that day....gee, Where was I?



Wednesday, August 12, 2009

$4.00 comics

When we weren't spending money at the doughnut shop, Rick and I did spend a lot of time at the news stand. Large stores that sold papers from around the country and the world. They had every type of magazine including the underground comics of the day. Rick was especially susceptible to their cover art. This was at least 20 odd years before Borders and the rest came along and Rick and I saw the beginning of the "information" era. It was neat and the comics were funny as hell.

Ex-wife #8

Oh sure, she looked alright but the clothes don't make the woman. The hair was a wig, the glasses were from the Elton John collection and cost $12,000 and she had the outfit tattooed on her body. She took the curtains from the kitchen window and had them surgically attached to her knees. And, on top of all that, she never let me wear my "Plum Crazy Purple" stacks after she found out we had the same shoe size. Bitch!

Why Rick had his motorcycle endorsement pulled


The real reason I don't ride. This was me.