When Pippi Longstocking Meets Che Guevara, Pele

Friday, April 8, 2011

Remember The 60s Patricia Masso (Editor). A Book Review:

The lady's skirt became shorter and the man's hair grew longer. One became the 'mini' and the other 'hippie.'

The 60s was a brave new world as astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin walked the moon . The Pill gave men and women a chance to experiment and help "usher in a new era of sexual freedom (p 29)" while Big Mac "rocked the hamburger world" to cater to "American overindulgence (p 51)."

And in an era of the VW Beetle, Jaguar E, Andy Warhol, Op Art and Rosemary's Baby, 60s music fans will be delighted when the book discusses: Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Hair, The Musical and West Side Story. Smaller than an iPad but larger than a pocket book, this cute coffee table reader boasts 175 pages of 60s "objects and moments of a swinging era."

The glossy coloured images and visually beautiful black and white photographs have been attuned to tell 60s short stories in 6 exciting chapters. Lots of fun reading that includes: Che Guevara, Mary Quant, Brigitte Bardot, Mars Bar, Wet Look Coat, the Lava Lamp and the bane of Singapore authorities - Chewing Gum! The book is in three languages, English, French and Dutch.

"The Age of Aquarius was memorable and momentous... we were... growing up... testing... hoping ... our actions would change the world (Introduction)." It's new in the market, printed in 2010 by Tectum Publishers. If you want to know the 60s in a nutshell, here's the book you can read in a day. The photographs take a longer time.

And the downside to this book? It's a glimpse into the past, so expect less than a 100 words for each item discussed.

Available at our Singapore National Library: NLB 306.09046

Original article: Andy Lim. (This posting is not an advertisement.)

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John Lennon, Mark Chapman, Salinger And Christ?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

(1940 - 1980)

Beatles John Lennon, who went solo after the group's breakup, was killed at the entrance of the building where he lived in New York City on Monday, 8 December 1980. He had just returned from a recording studio with his wife, Yoko Ono.

Music Man In Peace:

Like Elvis Presley and many pop 60s singers and musicians, his music lives on.
"Well you know/We all want to change the world/But when we talk about destruction/Don't you know you can count me out..."

(Revolution: Lennon/McCartney)

Relevance Today:

I was talking to a 16 year old student a few days ago and she told me that the Beatles are still relevant to day. When I asked her why, she remarked, "Their lyrics and music." And her favourite Beatle? John Lennon.

Mark Chapman:

Mark Chapman was holding the book, Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, when he was arrested but he hadn't read it. He had ten cassettes with 14 hours of Beatles songs on him. Is it also true that he had planned to kill Elizabeth Taylor and talk show host Johnny Carson (deceased)?

Controversies:

There were controversies about Lennon's death too and the deportation problems he faced. But it's all over now and we let this man of peace rest in peace. But was he really 'bigger than Jesus'?

Empty Garden:

"He must have been a gardener that cared a lot

Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop

And we're so amazed we're crippled and we're dazed

A gardener like that one no one can replace...

Johnny, can't you come out to play in your empty garden?"

(by Elton John)

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/lennon_report.htm

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/Death_Cert.htm

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Soekarno Beatles Music Censorship In Indonesia 60s: By Dr Steven Farram, Darwin Australia

Friday, November 12, 2010

If you are into serious study about past pop music from this region then Dr. Steven Farram is the person to check out on Google. I quote his credentials, as he is "a Research Associate in the School of Creative Arts and Humanities" at Charles Darwin University in Australia.

"His main research interest are the history and politics of Timor-Leste, Indonesia and the Northern Territory. He has authored books, book chapters and journal articles in all three areas, including his paper, Wage War Against Beatle Music! Censorship And Music In Soekarno's Indonesia (published in RIMA in 2007)."

I was first introduced to Steve and his wife at the end of our Silver Strings performance (2008 VivoCity gig, Reunion Of The Sixties). They were both rockin' and rollin' with the crowd to the beat of Mike and Herb's songs.

When the music finally stopped, his handshake was wet as he was hot and perspiring. They had to hurry home the next day and came to Singapore just to see the Beatles of Malaysia perform. However, we promised to meet again.

We did meet again and, with email exchanges, became good friends when he returned to Singapore in April 2009. Even with the dinners, coffee breaks and discussion about 60s music, he never told me about himself.

It was only after reading the novel, The Year Of Living Dangerously by Christopher Koch and looking around for articles to write for this blog, that I chanced upon his name while googling for Soekarno and the Beatles.

Steve has been providing many comments and insights on this blog and interested parties can also read his articles at: garagehangover.com

I know you don't need this publicity Steve but I hope more reseach can be done on Asia's 60s music and with your help!

Image: Charles Darwin University Australia Website.

http://www.cdu.edu.au/lba/steven_farram.htm

Original article: Andy Lim.

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Abbey Road The Beatles - Wot's 'Appenin'?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Remember Abbey Road and this famous album (image) by The Beatles? What do you think is happening? Have they taken the famous zebra crossing away or what? Guess again.

The latest news headlines has it that the internationally famous recording studio complex at Abbey Road is for sale. This venue, besides recording other music artistes, played host to many of The Beatles recording sessions. Any takers?

Image: http://lahmode.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/beatles.jpg

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J.D. Salinger - 'Catcher In The Rye' - Gone At 91

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Author of The Catcher in the Rye, has passed on. J. D. Salinger who is one of the most important American writers to emerge since World War II but who then turned his back on success, has died in Cornish, New Hampshire. He was 91.

He lived in seclusion for more than 50 years. His books include: Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour - An Introduction.

He can be remembered by many students of English Literature in Singapore because Catcher is a must-read for most. Internationally well-known this book, which has sold 60 million copies so far, is hardly available in our libraries. Perhaps there should be more copies on the shelves?

Anyone written a thesis on Salinger and wishes to share it? Do write in.

Trivia:

John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman was holding a copy of Catcher when the police went to the scene of the murder.
Photographer: Antony di Gesu.
Image: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/digesu/digesu2.htm

Ref: http://www.deadcaulfields.com/DCHome.html

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