I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— an exhibition entitled Eliot Porter’s Birds— a photographer more known for his renderings of the natural world, yet who sought to follow in the tradition of John James Audubon — will be at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas through July 5th (with the museum physically re-opening June 19th).
FILM NOTES— last week, a film (with Elisabeth Moss in the title role) was released online based upon a 2014 book of the author Shirley Jackson— best known for her 1948 short story The Lottery— and given its noted reception at the Sundance Film Festival, it seems fifty-five years after her death her works continue to inspire.
WITH THE DISCUSSION about what to do about the statues of Christopher Columbus — in addition to general conservative resistance to change, a good deal of the push-back also comes from Italian-Americans: for whom Columbus became a hero when they faced mass discrimination last century. A solution would be to substitute Giuseppe Garibaldi— one of the founders of a unified Italy and in the year 1862 (when the US Civil War was off to a horrible start for the US Army):
A frayed postcard in a Turin archive (from Garibaldi to King Victor Emmanuel II) has revealed … Abraham Lincoln offered the command of the northern forces to Giuseppe Garibaldi.
(And) Garibaldi was ready to accept Lincoln's 1862 offer but on one condition: that the war's objective be declared as the abolition of slavery. But at that stage Lincoln was unwilling to make such a statement.
THURSDAY's CHILD is the late Cinders the Cat— who was found as an abandoned kitten by the film star Russell Crowe (who wasn’t fond of kittehs) and given to his mother (who had longed for one) many years ago.
MEDICAL NOTES— after some initial successes, researchers are now exploring the development of a stimulator (the size of a wristwatch) to help control those with Tourette’s syndrome— by suppressing signals that can cause tics.
OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO the prime minister of Sweden was shot to death, walking home from the theater (with his wife) on a busy street in Stockholm … and now authorities believe (two years after the death of his widow) that Olof Palme was assassinated by a graphic designer who committed suicide in the year 2000.
ABOUT TODAY’S POLL — there are some late-breaking candidates that I had to leave off due to a surplus of existing candidates (and space limitations). Rest assured, I’ll catch-up with them next week (sigh).
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Ellie the Cat— a Wisconsin kitteh that escaped a house fire by jumping out of a window, and was feared lost … yet located the next day.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC. And the easier, USA-centric New York Times quiz.
DEBAUCHERY CENTRAL— as a result of the coronavirus, sales at large online retailers of sex toys have jumped — yet not at smaller shops more reliant on brick-and-mortar sales (who cannot get bulk-buying discounts from distributors and as a result, often have higher prices) and have been unable to provide the personal service that can offset that issue, even if they have an online presence.
SEPARATED at BIRTH—
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… recently hearing some of their material, I was surprised to learn that the 1970’s-80’s funk band Heatwave had such an international line-up. Although bad luck and violence, as well as the traditional bane of musical groups (a revolving door of personnel) took its toll: for about five years they spent a good deal of time on the R&B and pop charts, as their different backgrounds meant they were also capable of sweet ballads. Some forty-five years after their founding, they deserve a second look.
Dayton, Ohio native Johnnie Walker was singing in local clubs in Germany while off-duty while serving in the US Army in the mid-70’s and upon his discharge decided to remain. He later decided to relocate to London and fatefully placed an ad in the music newspaper Melody Maker. It was answered by a keyboard player named Rod Temperton, who was to play a pivotal role while as a band member and later as a songwriter. Johnnie then enlisted his brother Keith on vocals.
In time they recruited Swiss bassist Mario Mantese, Czech drummer Ernest “Bilbo” Berger, and guitarists Eric Johns (Jamaica) and Chicago native Jesse Whittens. Relentless gigging brought them to the attention of GTO records (distributed by Epic in the US) who signed them and assigned English producer Barry Blue (who had some early hits in the early 70’s).
Before they even entered the studio: guitarist Jesse Whittens was murdered (and replaced by British guitarist Roy Carter). In the autumn of 1976, two singles (“Ain’t No Half-Steppin” and “Super Soul Sister” had some minor chart success.
In early 1977, their legacy was made by the release of the single Boogie Nights— the first song that Rod Temperton ever wrote solo (and whose title was later the name of a 1997 film). It reached #2 in both the US and UK (second only to Debbie Boone’s “You Light Up my Life”). Later that year their album Too Hard to Handle was released, which reached #11 in the US album charts.
In 1978 they released the album Central Heating (#10 in the US) that had as its hit single The Groove Line (#7 in the US charts), whose B-side was another ballad, Mind Blowing Decisions. Then once again, some personnel decisions intruded as guitarist Eric Johns relocated to New Zealand and began a career as a producer. Keyboard player Rod Temperton left the band as a full-time player (but would continue to write songs for them). This came about as Quincy Jones was impressed with his work and helped him contribute songs for Rufus, George Benson, the Brothers Johnson and Herbie Hancock … and Temperton wrote several songs for Michael Jackson: including Rock With You, Off the Wall and the title track to Thriller.
Still, the band was able to replace them and in 1979 (with ten songs written by Rod Temperton) were ready to record a new album … when bassist Michael Mantese was stabbed by his girlfriend (nearly dying) and left to return to his native Switzerland, eventually becoming an author of spiritual books. The subsequent album release Hot Property did not chart highly, with the single “Eyeballin” barely making the charts. A song they wrote for a Sir Lew Grade film (entitled Keep Tomorrow for Me) was never allowed in general record release by the band.
In 1980, yet more changes: guitarist Roy Carter left to go into production and solo work, and vocalist Johnnie Wilder was paralyzed in a car accident while visiting his native Ohio. He remained as a co-producer but was unable to perform any longer.
Their 1980 album Candles fared worse than their last album, with the single “Gangsters of the Groove” their last charted hit (at #19 in the UK, not making the Top 100 in the US). Their 1982 album Current would prove to be their last, as “Lettin’ It Loose” would barely make the US R&B charts and after more personnel defections, the band came to an end.
In 1995, a twentieth-anniversary reunion came together, with original members Keith Wilder and drummer Ernest Berger touring and releasing a 1997 live album.
This century saw the passing of the two Wilder brothers: Johnnie (in 2006 at age fifty-six) and Keith (in 2017 at age sixty-five) in their native Dayton, Ohio. A year earlier, Rod Temperton died in London at the age of sixty-six. A 1996 compilation album showcases a band that fate would end prematurely, yet still made history.
While Boogie Nights was their best-selling single: their most enduring tune is from the Too Hot to Handle album, Always and Forever— which reached #9 in the UK and #18 in the US (#2 on the R&B charts) — and became a ballad heard frequently at high school dances. Written by Rod Temperton, it has been covered by Wyclef Jean, Diana Ross and most notably by Luther Vandross (who received a 1995 Grammy nomination for it).
Always and forever each moment with you Is just like a dream to me - that somehow came true I know tomorrow will still be the same Because we've got a life of love that won't ever changeThere'll always be sunshine when I look at you It's something I can't explain - just the things that you do And if you get lonely, phone me and take A second to give to me the magic you make
And every day love me your own special way Melt all my heart away with a smile Take time to tell me you really care And we'll share tomorrow together I'll always love you .. forever