Although I'm not a fan of the word Xmas I am a fan of Kylie, and I just had to include this here as it's the Christmas Number One here in the UK! I can't say it's her best Christmas song but probably the most catchy. Also she makes history as the first female artist to earn No. 1 singles across four different decades in the UK. 37 years after her first number one, that's quite an achievement!
Elvis died today back in 1977. I was just a kid. I remember being on holiday in Scotland with my parents and brother. We were in this weird old building which I assume was a hotel. My mother's abusive behaviour means a great deal of my childhood memories just don't exist but I remember so clearly looking over the winding staircase and seeing a table below with the days newspapers laid out. In large words I read the words "THE KING IS DEAD". I had no idea who the king was, but I was soon about to find out. My passion for 50's rock and roll started with Elvis and my 2025 Elvis calendar on the wall behind me right now as I write this proves that the passion never died.
Last year when I was wheeled into the operating theatre for my major surgery a young nurse asked me what my favourite music was as she'd like to play it for me before I went under. To be honest, I wanted to tell her that I didn't give a fuck what she played and to shut up. Charming I know, but blimey I was about to have 6 hour surgery to see how far the stage 4 cancer had spread and she's asking about music. I wasn't at my best okay? Anyway, I'm so pleased I never told her because if I had, I'd forever connect that music with that moment. Thanks Elvis for making life more bearable!
I always thought that Connie Francis was like the Katy Perry of the 50's. I suppose that's a bit of an insult to Connie, but I suppose her "novelty songs" haven't really stood the test of time although I still love this one.
My buddy Bobby Vee was a friend of hers and they toured together in the early 60's. I was sad to hear of her death as there really are very few 50's rock and rollers still around. She had a traumatic life so I hope she's at peace now. She died on the 16th July at age 87.
It always pleases my heart to hear someone new and fresh on the scene sing some old school R&B like Mario, Ne-Yo and Usher. He's got the moves too. JayDon is 17 years old. He's signed to Usher and L.A. Reid's record label Mega. I wonder if this song will be a mega hit, probably not in the UK but hopefully he'll do well in the States.
When I was allowed to drive again, I went to see my Granddaughter in a dance show. Normally these are the kind of events you avoid like the plague, but when you've been confined to bed for months, trust me putting the recycling bins outside the front of the house is a joyous event.
I was sitting in the audience waiting for my Granddaughter to come on stage. Let's be honest, we only really care about our own kid's performances, although we politely clap at the end of them all. However dire. Anyway, this tune came on that I'd never heard before. One of the things I always love is hearing new music I enjoy and this song really touched me. I had no idea who it was. The rapping reminded me of Jack Harlow but I wasn't sure. I asked my younger daughter and she didn't have a clue who it was either. It didn't help that I assumed it was called "Shine". It isn't it's called "Golden Hour" by JVKE. It's a couple of years ago.
2 months ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given at best 5 years to live. The surgeon told me that my cancer was treatable but not curable. To top that I had issues with my heart and lungs, and they weren't sure if they could operate on me. 2 weeks ago I had a 40cm cyst, that weighed 22 pounds removed and my appendix, plus 6 litres of fluid. Last Wednesday I was told I'd need no further treatment, the cyst was amazingly benign and everything else was fine. I am in pain, but cancer free. I've literally had a church full of people praying for me for the last 2 months, and really the news is nothing short of a miracle. This song by my favourite female artist was on my playlist.
