Could the famous Easter Island figures (Moai) have been "walked" to the spots where you see them upright on the island, or were they rolled along on palm tree logs? So, rock or roll? What do you think? I have a link just here. (If you don't have time to read it, I can tell you that it amuses me that it says that this figure demonstrated in the video is as if it is on a smooth airport runway!) My husband reminds me that it is thought that the large stones at Stonehenge and Avebury in England are also to have transported by large logs and rolled to their final destinations, albeit with a very great deal of effort. So, my guess is that the "rolling" might be correct but perhaps, it could have been a bit of both? Just a thought! Rock AND Roll!
Recently, I saw a video of Kevin Bacon playing his guitar and singing to "Runaway". (Yes, Kevin Bacon is an actor but he has other interests as well. He and his brother are in a band, The Bacon Brothers!) I knew that "Runaway" was a big hit for Del Shannon in 1961 but did he write it? Yes, he did! AND he wrote "I Go To Pieces" which was a big hit for Peter and Gordon. Remember my recent post where I spoke about "Baby, It's You" by Smith? Del Shannon is the one behind the arrangement of that song! He was also very influential in the success of a fellow musician from Michigan, Bob Seger! Reading about Del Shannon, I am sorry to say that he committed suicide in 1990. It seems that it was possible that he could have joined The Traveling Wilburys after the death of Roy Orbison...but sad to say, that did not happen. The Traveling Wilburys released a recording of "Runaway" after the death of Del Shannon, in his honor. After listening to some videos of Del Shannon (he was born Charles Westover in 1934) I am amazed at his very strong voice! I read somewhere of his "keen falsetto" and that is very true. I have a video of him singing live on a TV show in the 1980's ...I hope you like it. In 1999, Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Well deserved, I believe! I wish someone would make a film about him...just think how GREAT the soundtrack would be!
I could share so many music videos with you, much more than the ones I have here!
You know I sing along as I listen to these videos but then, I have to stop myself so I can admire this strong voice! (Kevin Bacon apologizes as he sings but he is in tune and besides, I was singing along with him the whole dang time! LOL!)
Please, listen to the last one that I have here...it is Del Shannon singing at a concert in Australia in 1989, not long before he died.
Runaway is a powerful love song. I remember being shocked when he died.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if his close friends were very shocked although they all knew he had problems in his life and was struggling.
DeleteSuch a talent!
I so love your music postings! Was a big fan when I was a kid, but didn't know so much that you wrote. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Nan! And I think I forgot to wish you a happy birthday, you have the same birthday as our beloved George Harrison you told us! So hope you had a lovely birthday and wishing you all the best always. xx
DeleteThank you, my friend!
DeleteDel Shannon sure wrote some great classic songs. I didn't know he committed suicide. That's very sad.
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I love songwriters! And when they can also play guitar AND sing! It is very sad that he took his own life. His family and friends must have been devastated.
DeleteAnother great music post! I believe your's is the only Blog that covers Rock&Roll legacy artists (which I love so much). So sad that Del Shannon committed suicide without knowing that his work would be acknowledged by induction into the Hall of Fame. Personal opinion, but I think that recent inductees into the R&R HOF are not remotely part of that music genre. Love Dolly Parton, but R&R she ain't.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I find it so hard to think of all the people who take their own lives, they must be in so much pain but if only they could get the help they need, we might still have them....
DeleteNow, I do agree that Dolly really isn't Rock & Roll but you know, I like her so much and you has done so much good, I really don't mind, they could give her an award for OPERA for all I care! LOL! I still wish I had gotten the Moderna vaccine instead of the Pfizer one, Dolly putting up, I think a million dollars for the Moderna one. Man, you gotta love that.
I only had time for one video right now (busy day ahead), and chose the 60s one from that TV show. Such a lot of bouncy hair and swinging/shaking of arms :-D
ReplyDeleteOf course I have known the song since I was very little (born 1968), but I didn't know anything about who wrote or performed it. I always learn stuff from your blog - thank you!!
Even that song was too early for me but I heard it enough that I recognized it! Our son was always impressed with me because we would listen to songs on the radio in the car (as he was growing up) and I could pretty much sing along with every single song! Now, I wouldn't always know who SANG every song I was singing! We spoke so much of music, it is no wonder he grew up to write music himself! And I am happy that you learn a few things from me. Let me know if you ever win anything at your Pub Quiz thanks to me! x
DeleteSuch an interesting post, Kay, both the moai and the music. I had long thought that the Easter Island people rolled the statues on logs. I looked up an article( https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/unraveling-the-story-behind-easter-islands-resilient-statues). It said that the island's forests persisted hundreds of years after the Polynesian settlers arrived, that the trees weren't cut down rapidly to move the statues. It also said that the oral history of the people talked about walking statues. This suggests to me that perhaps the statues walked like in your video. However some statues were massive, weighing up to 81 tons! Such a statue would be hard to get rocking. I was sad to learn that there was a bad fire on Easter Island last October and many of the statues were charred beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the musical memories. I loved Del Shannon and Peter and Gordon's music when I was a teenager. Hearing Kevin Bacon singing Runaway was surprising. I did not know that Del Shannon committed suicide. How tragic!
Have a great weekend, Kay!
Hey Louise!
DeleteIsn't it fascinating to think of how such giant figures could be moved along It is to me!! I can only dream of visiting there so I was glad that we saw them on the Good Morning America Show this week! LOL!
You know, I am really glad that I was around for the 1960's. I was a kid, it's true but hey, I paid attention even as a child!!
I like the same music. We saw Del Shannon once at Lake Lanier - years ago.
ReplyDeleteLove Kevin Bacon and liking his comebacks - he has a good sense of humor.
At Lake Lanier! Back in the day, there were free or very cheap concerts, we were so lucky!! Yes! Kevin Bacon seems to be a nice guy and I liked his video so I had to share it with you, to show what took me on my journey into Del Shannon videos! x
DeleteYou've hit some of my favorite songs! Oh, how I loved Peter and Gordon while staying true to the Fab 4! I enjoyed Del Shannon but didn't realize how he died. So sad to lose such a wonderful talent. Now you know all those statues were put there by aliens! Ha!
ReplyDeleteYou are like me, loving all from the British Invasion! The Beatles though, be still my heart!! And funny thing, when I told my son about this post, he said the same thing as you about the statues, "They were put there by aliens, of course". He said this while chuckling! HA !
DeleteLoved Peter & Gordon...
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Hey Donna! You know I did too! I am sure that you know that Peter Asher is the brother of Jane Asher, a former girlfriend of Paul McCartney. Here is a link to a recent article about Peter Asher. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/arts/music/peter-asher.html
DeleteGee, I hope you can see that link, it is from the NY Time.
Del Shannon? Before my time...
ReplyDeleteHe was a bit before my time too but I still know this song!
DeleteHeeey! We're going to Salisbury next week. We have booked a tour from London to see Stonehenge. I just hope the weather holds out. Right now it's scheduled to rain. Sigh... I hope it's not cancelled.
ReplyDeleteTake me with you!!!
DeleteRain does not stop tourism in the UK. It is part of the package!
ReplyDeleteAd Man, you should work for Tourism Dept.!!
Delete