Although it would appear that the only thing these three photos have in common is that they have something to do with music and the above photos are in black and white - there's something more.
All of them were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this month. The Ventures are known for their rock-and-roll instrumentals, like the theme to Hawaii 5-0. Although not in the photo, John Durrill is also in the group, and from my home town. I had the opportunity to perform with him on stage last year for the Oklahoma Centennial. Fun, random trivia.
Leonard Cohen is a singer, songwriter, poet, artist, philosopher and more. My favorite line from a Leonard Cohen song is "Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way, to be free." That line is near perfection. A lot of people may not know this but Leonard Cohen also wrote "Hallelujah" which was recorded by a lot of people, including Cohen. One of the well known versions was by Jeff Buckley.
And then there's Madonna. I love Madonna. When her book "Sex" came out I was in college. I bought it. It was liberating, I mean it. It was artistic and sexy and pornographic and silly and edgy and over the top all at the same time. She has been with me through (and influenced) some of my fashion ventures, like net shirts and black rubber band bracelets. I even remember the first time I heard her music. I listened to Lucky Star in the back of my friend Karla's van as her dad drove us around town. She was shiny and new (ha ha, Like a Virgin!) and she was one of the first independent female artists that was with me as I grew from little girl to young woman. I know there were so many people that thought she was evil incarnate, but she has been a huge influence in pop culture and music. I don't like everything she's done, but there is no denying that she is a prolific artist. Sure, sometimes she seems like she takes herself too seriously - but she's Madonna. She's kind of a big deal.
These three musical artists are very different from each other - but they're all being inducted. They also have all influenced me in very different ways. There were other inductees tonight, John Mellancamp, The Dave Clark 5, and Little Walter - an influential blues artist. However, I singled out The Ventures, Cohen and Madonna for how different they were from each other and how they all were a part of the soundtrack of my life at one time or another. I can hear songs from each of them that take me back to a time, or a feeling, or a moment. Music can bring back a flood of memories and grants you some perspective on a particular time in your life - and also perspective on your life now.
It's almost as if that's what it was invented for - our delight in it is just a bonus feature, an extra topping.
Just a thought. But that's how it all got started now, isn't it?
