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in Memoriam

Director’s Blog: Golden Years

Published: January 14, 2016

dkglam

They put you down, they say I’m wrong

You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel Rebel

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.  I have been feeling that way for the past few days while reading the many moving tributes to the late cultural icon, David Bowie.  I have been reminded, too of how much he had been a part of my life without actually being in my life.  Just a handful of years older then I, Bowie personified where I was or, more often, where I wanted to be through his many reinventions. There was Bowie the glam, Bowie the space oddity, Bowie the bi-, Bowie who fell to earth, Bowie the fashionista, Bowie the crooner, and Bowie the Warhol, his sly turn as the High Priest of Pop as if he needed another 15 minutes of “Fame.”

read

On vinyl, film, the stage, in the pages of glossies, on the arms of super-star models, Bowie was the protean taste shifter, the master of surprise, the eyebrow raiser, the envelope pusher. He always seemed to get “there” –wherever “there” was – ahead of everyone else.  When it was hip to be hip, he was the hippest; when cool was the thing, he was ice.  Imagine Bowie as Mr. Freeze instead of Schwarzenegger (“Holy ‘hasta la vista, baby’ Batman”).  Even the recent fuss over Jaden Smith (Will’s son) wearing a dress in an apparent nod to gender fluidity felt pretty “been there.”

David Bowie’s life was devoted to art and over many decades he shared the fruits of his curiosity with all of us.  One gift of his he may not have been conscious of sharing: the gift of courage.  Through his example, he showed all of us how to live a life of purpose and authenticity. How to believe in ourselves, especially when others don’t.  How to be a private person in a very public business.  How to court change and relish difference.  How to keep it real and fresh.  And how to keep on.

I read a few weeks ago about the release of his latest album – number 25, and thought, wow… good for him, still out there doing it.  And as I listen to it now, and realize it’s not the latest but the last, I feel privileged to have been a witness to a life well lived.  About his artistic journey, Bowie once said, “I don’t know where I’m going from here but I promise it won’t be boring.”

No, Mr. Jones. It wasn’t.

Golden Years.

Explore the bulk of Bowie’s stellar recordings, even the before-its-time Tin Machine, for free through hoopla. 

Don’t have an account? Create yours through the Library.

As to books, the Goblin King really enjoyed those too.

January 14, 2016 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Tagged With: in Memoriam

40 Years Since Saigon Fell

Published: April 30, 2015

Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, was captured April 30, 1975 as the United States pulled out its remaining diplomats and military personnel in the lost fight against the the communist north.

Photos of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by Library Director Diane Kresh

Vietnam War Memorial close up
Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam War veteran funeral
Vietnam War veteran

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2015 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: in Memoriam

A Birthday Tale to Tell

Published: January 6, 2014

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Would Be 79 this Wednesday

Here’s a double trouble playlist, with a hit from the man himself and an alternative from pretenders to/contenders for the throne.

 

Elvis in central library

Mr. P makes his annual appearance in Central Library.

Elvis Presley – “That’s All Right” [Spotify/YouTube]

Howlin’ Wolf – “That’s All Right” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Mystery Train” [Spotify/YouTube]

Neil Young – “Mystery Train” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Blue Suede Shoes” [Spotify/YouTube]

Carl Perkins – “Blue Suede Shoes” – [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Don’t Be Cruel” [Spotify/YouTube]

Cheap Trick – “Don’t Be Cruel” [Spotify/YouTube]

books on Elvis

Mr. P is comfortable in the 782.42166 section. Check out the definitive two-part Guralnick bio.

Elvis Presley – “Return to Sender” [Spotify/YouTube]

Rod Stewart with Booker T. & The MG’s – “Return To Sender” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Unchained Melody” [Spotify/YouTube]

The Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Funny How Time Slips Away” [Spotify/YouTube]

Al Green – “Funny How Time Slips Away” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Heartbreak Hotel” [Spotify/YouTube]

Willie Nelson with Leon Russell – “Heartbreak Hotel” – [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” [Spotify/YouTube]

Dead Moon – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” [Spotify/YouTube]

Elvis Presley – “Suspicious Minds” [Spotify/YouTube]

Fine Young Cannibals – “Suspicious Minds” [Spotify/YouTube]

And while you might not be able to rent a movie house just for yourself, let Jim Jarmusch and an iconic cast take you on the “Mystery Train” to Memphis, where you still can find some room down at the end of lonely street. 

Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday.

January 6, 2014 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: in Memoriam

Tombstone Blues

Published: April 3, 2012

Almost Gone

Tombstone store moves
Clarendon, April 2, 2012.

TA Sullivan & Son Monuments photo by Diane Kresh.

 

April 3, 2012 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: in Memoriam, local history news

Last Dance

Published: February 16, 2012

Old sign on North Fairfax, now gone.

Dance Factory

Arlington business sign, now replaced.

Photo taken by Diane Kresh on May 8, 2009, near Central Library.

 

February 16, 2012 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: in Memoriam

The Arlington Years: The Day the Music Died (almost)

Published: February 3, 2009

The Arlington Years

Thoughts from County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh

Fifty years ago today teen pop idol Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash while on a brutal winter swing through the sub-zero Midwest.  J.P “The Big Bopper” Richardson (“Chantilly Lace”) and Ritchie “La Bamba” Valens, who flipped a coin with another would-be passenger to earn a seat aboard the small craft (a Beechcraft Bonanza) perished along with him.  The crash ended the brief but prolific chart-topping career of Holly who hiccupped his way through such self-penned pop hits as “Peggy Sue,” “Not Fade Away,” “Words of Love” and “That’ll Be the Day.”

Gangly with black horn-rimmed glasses (eyewear later adopted by Freddie of Freddie and the Dreamers (“I’m Telling you Now”)–see British Invasion, and the other Elvis), Holly’s appeal is wide-ranging.  The Beatles (their band name was in homage to Buddy’s Crickets), The Rolling Stones, the Smithereens, Linda Ronstadt (her cover of “That’ll Be the Day” first turned me on to Holly) each was influenced by Holly.  And his life-story inspired a better than passable bio-pic starring the terminally creepy Gary Busey in a once-in-a-lifetime Oscar-nominated role.

The geeky guy from Lubbock, Texas would have been 73 this year.  Fate was kinder to Buddy Holly than some.  He lives on through his music.  Period.  He never got overweight, checked into Betty Ford, played Vegas, got a mug shot, apologized.  We don’t know what his favorite food was or what his politics were.  And we don’t care.

Don McLean (“American Pie”) got it wrong.  Holly is long gone but his music lives on.

February 3, 2009 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: in Memoriam

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