In Memory of David Bowie (1947-2016)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy 

With Bing Crosby (Recorded 1977, Released 1982)

In honor of David Bowie, who passed away one year ago today, and who would have celebrated his 70th birthday two days ago, I am posting an updated version of my original tribute post from January 12, 2016, with new videos added. 

In Memory of David Bowie (1947-2016)

David Bowie was truly an original! I was fortunate enough to see him in concert in 1990, on his Sound + Vision tour. I saw him in Philadelphia. The photo below was taken on that same tour when he performed in Chile. Although I wasn't a fan of much of his later music, his work from the seventies and eighties was amazingly creative and influential, and it has formed an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I knew that he had just finished a new album, but I had no idea he was so sick. I was sad to hear that he passed away on Sunday, January 10th, 2 days after his 69th birthday, and I hope he is now at peace. He will be missed. 

David Bowie in Chile 1990 By Jorge Barrios,via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Bowie_Chile.jpg

I've posted links to videos of some of my favorite David Bowie songs as a tribute: 

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (with Bing Crosby), (1977/1982) is a wonderful Christmas song that perfectly blends the voices of two very different stars, from different generations.  

Starman (1972), Rebel Rebel (1974) and Ziggy Stardust (1972) are classic early 70s favorites, showcasing his unique music and style. The video for Ziggy Stardust is exceptional: it has amazing footage, onstage and backstage, from the early 70's from a BBC Documentary.

Under Pressure (with Queen) (1981) This amazing song brought out the best in both David Bowie and Freddie Mercury of Queen, and remains one of my favorite songs of all time. The video here for Under Pressure is not the original, and the bands are mostly shown separately, but it has some good concert footage.

Ashes to Ashes (1980) is a classic Bowie song, and the video is surprisingly futuristic. In it, Bowie holds up a photograph that moves, looking intriguingly like a 21st century tablet computer.

Space Oddity (Cover by Passenger) (2016) is a haunting and beautiful version of this song recorded as a fitting tribute shortly after Bowie's death. 

No Plan (2017) This dreamlike song and video was released posthumously this week.

Starman(1972)

Rebel Rebel (1974)

Ziggy Stardust (1972)

Under Pressure- With Queen (1981)

Ashes to Ashes (1980)

Space Oddity- Cover Version by Passenger (2016)

No Plan (Posthumously Released) (2017)

Happy Birthday Graham Nash

Graham Nash Performing in 2006 as Part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young --Photo by Matthew Harris (source) (license)

Today is Graham Nash's 74th birthday. Born in Blackpool, England on February 2, 1942, he is a musician, songwriter, political activist and photographer, and is a dual citizen of The United Kingdom and the United States. He was a member of the British group The Hollies, before joining with David Crosby and Steven Stills in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills and Nash (also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young when joined by Neil Young.) In addition to singing, he plays the guitar, keyboard, drums and harmonica.

Click on the links below to hear some of Graham Nash's greatest songs. They were all written or co-written by him, except for Blackbird, by the Beatles, and Suite Judy Blue Eyes, which was written by Steven Stills, but is included because it captures the band's beautiful vocal harmonies so perfectly.



Carrie Ann by the Hoillies (1967)

Our House, CSNY (orginal recording 1970-- video posted 2008)

Marrkesh Express & Blackbird (From Woodstock 1969--Blackbird is a Beatles Cover)

Suite Judy Blue Eyes (From Woodstock--1969)

Wasted On the Way (Original Recording 1982--Concert From 1989)

Remembering Space Shuttle Challenger

Space Shuttle Challenger's First Launch 1983 (Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons source )

Thirty years ago today, on January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members. The disaster was seen around the world on live t.v.. It was especially tragic because one of the people on board was New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe, who had been selected from over 11,000 applicants to become the first Teacher In Space. She was supposed to conduct scientific experiments and teach two lessons while in orbit. Because of Mrs.McAuliffe being on board, many schools were watching the event live, and millions of children witnessed this shocking tragedy in real time.

Challenger Crew members are (left to right, front row) astronauts Michael J. Smith, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee and Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis and Judith A. Resnik.  (Photo by NASA) source

I was off from school that day (I think we had a snow day), but I wasn't watching the launch. Just after it happened, one of my friends called me in tears, and I turned on to see the shocking replays of this terrible event. The explosion of Challenger was one of those famous "Where were you when it happened?" moments, like the assassination of John F. Kennedy or September 11, 2001, when the nation and world came together in shock, disbelief, and collective mourning. For people like myself, born after John F. Kennedy's assassination, it was the first time we had experienced something like this, and although later world events would have more significance, this was a moment we would never forget.

Exhaust Trails-Challenger Explosion (Photo by NASA) source

That night, President Reagan postponed his scheduled State of the Union message, and spoke about the Challenger disaster as a tribute to the special men and women who died trying to reach for the stars. The link to the video of this memorable speech is below. For an in-depth overview of the Challenger disaster and subsequent investigation, please click on the following link to the excellent Wikipedia article on this subject, which includes multiple links to more information if you are interested.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster

David Bowie (1947-2016)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy 

With Bing Crosby

David Bowie was truly an original! I was fortunate enough to see him in concert in 1990, on his Sound + Vision tour. I saw him in Philadelphia. The photo below was taken on that same tour when he performed in Chile. Although I wasn't a fan of much of his later music, his work from the seventies and eighties was amazingly creative and influential, and it has formed an important part of the soundtrack of my life. I knew that he had just finished a new album, but I had no idea he was so sick. I was sad to hear that he passed away on Sunday, January 10th, 2 days after his 69th birthday, and I hope he is now at peace. He will be missed. 

David Bowie in Chile 1990 By Jorge Barrios,via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Bowie_Chile.jpg

I've posted links to videos of some of my favorite David Bowie songs as a tribute: Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy (with Bing Crosby), Starman, Rebel Rebel, Ziggy Stardust and Under Pressure (with Queen). The video for Ziggy Stardust is exceptional: it has amazing footage, onstage and backstage, from the early 70's from a BBC Documentary. The video for Under Pressure is not the original, and the bands are mostly shown separately, but it has some good concert footage, and it's still one of my favorite songs of all time.

Starman

Rebel Rebel 

Ziggy Stardust

Under Pressure- With Queen