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Today, Sunday, June 22, 2008 I lost a friend. Not just in the sense of feeling like I knew him because of having seen him on television and in the movies, but because I actually knew the man. George Carlin died today at age 71 and left behind a legacy that will be with me until that day that I leave this world.
A few columns ago I wrote of my connection to this comic genius. You can read that column at this link: http://cybermidi.com/news/index.php/practical-midi/from-cassette-to-cd-to-midi-via-george-c
Life doesn’t always deal you a winning hand or a slew of troubles when it’s convenient for you. These can come at the most inopportune times…especially if you’re a performing musician and have to keep up appearances for the sake of the show.
Of the 2,500+ jobs I’ve played in my lifetime, many of them slipped through my mind without so much as a backwards glance or fond memory. But I’ll never forget my most memorable job, which happened in April of 1971 BM (Before MIDI).
In my first column I introduced you to my practical use of midi files. Changing times and changing situations make midi files the perfect solution to help you change with the flow and continue to perform.
Back in 1969 Denny Zager set half an hour aside from his busy day and penned the song, “In The Year 2525” and had a million-selling hit on his hands. These days this one-hit-wonder is running an internet site where he sells custom-adjusted guitars. I only know this because I bought one of his guitars and it was fantastic, as claimed. Naturally I couldn’t think of the guitar without thinking of the Zager and Evans tune and it got me to thinking about the future.
A few columns back I told you about two friends of mine, Terry and Rich, who were once in my band but had branched off to do a MIDI-based duet act on their own. I told of how they were playing at a Holiday Inn when John Fogerty walked in and heard them doing some of his material. I also told how Terry invited John up on stage with them and he accepted. The story went on to say that on the second night of their two-night gig, Terry had brought along even more MIDI files when he learned that Fogerty would be staying overnight and would join them again on stage the following night.
OK, so this isn't directly linked to the midi topic, but I thought I'd share it anyway in case any of you are in the same boat I'm in. For the first 32 years of my musical existence I've bought and sold a few guitars. Some I wish I'd kept and some I can't even remember what they were. The point is that back then if you wanted a guitar you either went to the music store or found one in the classifieds.
The year was 1979 and I was watching The Tonight Show. Johnny Carson’s guest that night was George Carlin and he was doing a skit featuring Carl Closeout, a late-night record pitchman. He went on to name a few long, drawn-out Country Western song titles he’d made up. Among those titles were these gems:
- Throwin’ Barstools Through The Window Just A-Waitin’ Here For You
- Drinkin’ Beer and Passin’ Out
- Every Time I Look At You I Realize You’re Tall
- I Got You Out Of My Heart But I Can’t Get You Out Of My Apartment
November 22, 1963. (Kennedy Assassination)
February 9, 1964. (Beatles on Ed Sullivan)
June 28, 1966. (?)
December 8, 1980. (John Lennon Murdered)
And there you have it—four important dates in my life. To the rest of the world, though, it would appear that there are only three important dates to remember. Maybe so, but that's because the rest of you weren't members of The Dimensions — my first band.
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