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I recall the first time I heard The Beatles was on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Back then there was only antenna reception. the picture was crappy as was the sound. However, the magic of the Beatles' music transcended the poor quality of technology of the time. The first Beatles' album I owned was bought by my parents for a Christmas present. It was "The Beatles' Second Album." There were great songs on it but Capitol was still releasing cover tunes that The Beatles had recorded in 1962 when they first were contracted by EMI in London. It was still magic. As The Beatles' popularity increased, so did their dealings with the press. They were famous in the UK in 1962, two years before they played Sullivan in 1964. By the time they arrived in America they were old hands at dealing with the press. I suppose the first really negative thing I heard about them was that John Lennon had made the statement that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Being aware of Lennon's sardonic wit, I assumed it was an off-the-cuff remark that was taken out of context. My hometown of Alexandria, Louisiana is a very conservative region that borders "The Bible Belt." Burnings of Beatles' records were conducted in the city park on a Sunday. Mostly irate parents and children participated. However, as Ringo says in an interview "they bought them [...]." The out-of-context statements never bothered me. Being raised Roman Catholic we are taught tolerance, not to pass judgement. In 1970 Paul McCartney announced that he was leaving the band. This sent shockwaves through the land of pop music in which I had entrenched myself. Shortly after the announcement, "Let It Be" was released. Recall that the release of "Let It Be" followed the release of "Abbey Road," truly one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever recorded. This was the Beatles' at their most creative--a true display of their genius. Genius is more than the ability to store and retrieve information; it also involves problem-solving and innovation. The Beatles innovated many of the techniques used today in the recording studio and it is ever so evident on "Abbey Road." Mr Lennon continued with his galvinization of the Peace Movement in America, Canada, and the UK. It is known that J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI kept a file on Lennon and also authorized (without a court-order) electronic surveillance on Lennon and his activities in America. He was considered a threat to national security. Remember, he was a man of music who promoted peace, yet he was considered by many to be an "enemy of the state." The FBI certainly had more to deal with than what John Lennon said on a particular day or where he went. John was a public person and was aware of the attention he garnered wherever he went. He was also more popular than the FBI. (I had to get that in.) After a temporary breakup with Yoko (Lennon's "lost weekend") he was finally 'allowed' home to the Dakota where he was reunited with his wife. She gave birth to their son, Sean. Mr Lennon shunned the press for a long time after that and lived out his role of "house-husband." By all accounts Lennon was a great father to Sean. Then, on December 8, 1980 Mr Lennon was shot to death by a sick individual who used the event to become a part of history following in the footsteps of people like Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth. (I don't mention the assassin's name because he doesn't deserve the time and attention it takes to type it.) We lost a cultural icon, a man who practiced what he preached, and created great music. He was the voice of "our generation." He spoke his mind whether he was liked or not. Certainly in the post-Beatle years his antics alienated him from many of his fans. But that fan base was rebuilt with albums like "Imagine," "Mind Games," and "Double Fantasy" which went number one after the assassination of the great artist. On this, the 25th anniversary of Lennon's assassination, I thank him for the music, for giving me the ability to believe in myself, and to believe that all things are possible. I mostly thank him for having to deal with being a "public" person, giving up much of his private life, which had become fodder for the vultures of the press, in order to convey his messages of peace, equality, and justice. Happy Christmas, Mr. Lennon, and good night. Random Rant by Christopher Louviere
"The Infinite Mind" program that aired on NPR to over a million people, on which I was a guest, went without a hitch. The producers of the show were very happy about the outcome. I would especially like to thank Mary at LCM for her support and encouragement. If you would like to purchase a copy of that program (401 Hypomania) you may do so by going to www.theinfinitemind.com and clicking the link for their online store. I thank you all for your support. Christopher
Alexandria, LA - It is definite now that I will make a guest appearance on the nationally broadcast radio program "The Infinite Mind." The program is dedicated to subjects that involve the study of the human mind. I will play my song "Benzo' Train" and possibly answer a few questions relating to this show's topic--Hypomania. If you get the chance, please listen. Check your local NPR listings for times and dates. It will be aired at differrent times and on different days in various cities.
Louviere's new CD, "HYPOmania," may sound like sixties analog recording, however, he uses the best in new digital recording technology. "HYPOmania" is available on CD for $15 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. For purchase please contact "CD Purchase" at cbl1756@hotmail.com. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery. "HYPOmania" combines the best of "old school" techniques with state-of-the-art digital recording. All of the tracks are audio--there were no synthesizers or prerecorded digital samples used on this project. "HYPOmania" has the warmth and feel of analog with the crystal clear sounds of digital recording. Says Louviere "In the last five years digital recording has come of age. You can now capture the warmth and fullness of analog in a digital format. Also, editing becomes a breeze with the new available software." Without a doubt, Louviere has reached a superior level of music production on this his latest CD, "HYPOmania." "HYPOmania" is recorded on the Don't Walk Productions independent label. (DWCD 01-2005-02)