Julian Lennon Someday

Posted on May 16, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Julian Lennon Someday is now released globally! Julian Lennon Someday features Steven Tyler on backing vocals. It is a beautiful song with an equally moving music video.

Julian Lennon Someday Music Video

John Charles Julian Lennon (born 8 April 1963) is a British musician. He is the only child of John Lennon and Cynthia Powell (Lennon’s first wife). Beatles manager Brian Epstein was his godfather. He has a younger half-brother, Sean Lennon. Lennon was named after his paternal grandmother, Julia. He remains close friends with his father’s former bandmate Paul McCartney (although there was a public falling out in 2011, when Julian publicly complained about being snubbed for McCartney’s wedding and reception, although many of his friends and acquaintances were asked to attend).

Julian directly inspired three Beatles songs: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds“, “Hey Jude“, and “Good Night“. He is also devoted to philanthropic endeavors, most notably his own White Feather Foundation and the Whaledreamers Organization, both of which promote the co-existence of all species and the health and well-being of the Earth.

His sixth studio album Everything Changes was released on 3 October 2011.

Julian Lennon Valotte Music Video

“Valotte” is a song by British singer Julian Lennon, the title track and second single (first single in the US) from his debut album Valotte. It was a top-ten hit single in January 1985 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US, peaking at number nine.

It was co-written by Lennon, Justin Clayton and Carlton Morales and recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The first line of the chorus, “Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar”, was written by Lennon, inspired by theTennessee River in Muscle Shoals.

The music video for the song was directed by Sam Peckinpah.

Julian Lennon Too Late For Goodbyes Music Video

“Too Late for Goodbyes” is the first single (second in the US) from Julian Lennon‘s 1984 album Valotte. It featured the harmonica of Jean “Toots” Thielemans, and it was a top-ten hit in the UK and the US, reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart in November 1984, and number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late March 1985.

“Too Late for Goodbyes” peaked at number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1985, spending two weeks at the top of this chart. The music video for the song was directed by Sam Peckinpah.

Julian Lennon has had an inconsistent career as a musical artist. He enjoyed immediate success with his debut 1984 album Valotte. The album was produced by Phil Ramone. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1985, and produced two top ten hits, the title track “Valotte“, and “Too Late for Goodbyes“. Lennon promoted the album with music videos for the two hits made by movie director Sam Peckinpah and producer Martin Lewis. The song “Valotte” has remained a staple on adult contemporary radio stations since its release. After the release, Paul McCartney sent him a telegram wishing him good luck. Later that year, the two met up backstage at the New York studios of the TV show Friday Night Videos. His second album, 1986’s The Secret Value of Daydreaming, was panned by critics, but reached number 32 on the Billboard magazine‘s album chart, and produced the single “Stick Around”, which was his first #1 single on the U.S. Album Rock Tracks chart.

Julian Lennon Someday at the unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument with Rhode Island DJ

Julian Lennon at the unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument

It is very inspiring to me to hear Julian Lennon attempt to follow in his father, John Lennon’s, footsteps with Julian Lennon Someday and its message of world peace, love and community.

What do you think of Julian Lennon Someday?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

John Lennon Imagine

Posted on February 1, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

John Lennon Imagine. I remember the bittersweet night of being a professional DJ at a club in Randolph, NJ on a Monday night, it was December 8,1980. The club was mostly packed, especially for a Monday night in winter. The dance floor was jamming and everybody was having a good time. A young woman came up to the DJ booth and begged me to play Bruce Springsteen. I explained that the dance floor was full and she would have to wait till it thinned out, otherwise everybody would probably stop dancing. She finally convinced me to play him while she was standing there. I had the record in my hand when one of the bouncers ran up and told me John Lennon had just been shot and killed. I dropped the record on the floor of the DJ booth. After the song playing was over, I turned on the mike and announced his death. I asked for moment of silence and then played “Imagine” before returning to my regular set, although not regular at all. It is the moment I think of the most when I get behind my turntables, then CD Players and now MacBook. Growing up, he was hero my hero with his music and desire for peace.

John Lennon Imagine Music Video

The next day, as Program Director of the local college radio and DJ, I stated that we only play John Lennon Imagine and music by John Lennon for the next twenty-four hours.

“BMI named John Lennon Imagine one of the 100 most-performed songs of the 20th century. The song ranked number 30 on the Recording Industry Association of America‘s list of the 365 Songs of the Century bearing the most historical significance. It earned aGrammy Hall of Fame Award and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. A UK survey conducted by the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles Book named it the second best single of all time, andRolling Stone ranked it number 3 in their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“. Since 2005, event organisers have played it just before the New Year’s Times Square Ball drops in New York City. Dozens of artists have performed or recorded versions of “Imagine”, including Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Joan Baez, Elton John, and Diana Ross. Emeli Sandé recorded a cover for theBBC to use during the end credits montage at the close of the 2012 Summer Olympics coverage in August 2012. “Imagine” subsequently re-entered the UK Top 40, reaching number 18.” Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

John Lennon Life, Death and Influence on A DJ

Posted on January 20, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon and murdered outside his apartment in New York City on December 8th, 1980. John Lennon was and still is one of my heroes, possibly the only one at the time of his murder. His music, lyrics, message and lifestyle inspired me to be a better person and professional DJ.

I had the opportunity to view some of John Lennon artwork at an exhibit in Bloomington, Indiana in 1995. The beautiful simplicity had an effect on me and I recall reflecting on how simple he was, which seemed contradictory to what many might view him. John Lennon was a controversial man who pissed-off almost as many people as he inspired. His views on peace and religion caused major ripples throughout American and Western culture at the time, and possibly to a lesser degree today.

John Lennon Imagine

I remember the night he was murdered. I was working as the Resident DJ at a large New Jersey club called The Final Exam. It was somewhat busy for a Monday Night but enough people to have fun and a filled dance floor. I was cueing a record, when one of the Bouncers came running up, out of breath, “Michael, John Lennon was just shot and killed!” I dropped the record to the floor and began to weep. After the song playing ended, I announced over the PA system the news and played “Imagine” even though it was a dance night and not Rock Music. The next day, the radio station I was Program Director collectively decided to play twenty-four hours straight of John Lennon music in all its forms. For the year that followed, I played “Watching The Wheels” as my closing song live and on radio.

John Lennon Watching The Wheels

When I lived in South Korea, where I was an English Teacher, one of the school’s Teachers, who was a friend of mine, decided to use The Beatles, “Let It Be” as a song that her class would sing at the school talent show. She was disappointed at how they were not getting enthusiastic about the performance during their rehearsals. She asked if I would talk to them and explain the song and its significance. I shared with them about Vietnam, Beatlemania, peace, love and the anti-violent messages of the song. I further explained how it impacted people around the world and is considered, along with “Imagine”, to be one of the most famous community-building songs of peace and love for millions then and now. They got it and their performance the following week was powerful.

John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band Let it Be

It was thirty-two years ago December 8th since his death. He is still one of the most influential people in my life that I have never met personally. He packed so much into his forty years with us; his music changed the music industry and supported a peace movement, along with other social movements at the time. The messages are still with us.

John Lennon give Peace A Chance

John Lennon & The Beatles Icon

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Elton John Empty Garden

Posted on January 1, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Elton John Empty Garden. I still get emotional and shaky when I think of the night John Lennon was shot and killed12/8/1980. I was the professional DJ that night in a club and dropped the record I had in my hand when I was informed of this shocking event. It was and still is my “Where were you when J.F.K. was killed?” moment. This song was a tribute to John Lennon from his good friend and Godfather to his second son Sean, Elton John. It made remembering John all that much more difficult and real.

John Lennon was my hero growing up. His words and music about peace, love and personal action are still with me today and have shaped my being. I was crushed when he died. Somehow, Elton being a friend of his and one of my favorite writers at the time made it seem better since he too was grieving the loss of a special man personally. Elton John Empty Garden.

Elton had performed on several Lennon songs and even appeared onstage with him at his final concert in 1974. When he performed this song at a sold-out Madison Square Garden show in August 1982, Elton was joined onstage by Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon.

There has been some discussion of which “garden” Elton John Empty Garden was writing about. Perhaps the “empty garden among the flagstones” are the thousands of flowers that were left at the entryway to the Dakota that night and through the following days. People simply did not know what to do with their grief and so they gathered outside the Dakota with their flowers and radios and sang his songs into the morning. Yoko had to send her assistant outside saying she loved the singing but it was keeping her awake so would they gather again that Sunday and remember how “John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him.” Others say John’s beauty and creativity itself was ‘the garden’. Still others argue that it is actually Madison Square Garden where they played together especially John’s last performance. Regardless of the truth, all of them have equal and different pull at my heart, they all work for me and feel true.

This remains one of the most touching and emotional songs for me. “Hey Hey Johnny, won’t you come out to play?”Elton John Empty Garden.

I miss you John. Where are you?

Elton John Empty Garden

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Beatles First Visit to USA

Posted on January 1, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It is hard to imagine that there was a time music existed before The Beatles. I realize how short-sighted that is to write but still what’s on my mind. For those who were not born yet to witness Beatlemania, there is not really a way to accurately convey just how big they were and how quickly it happened. If you can visualize Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Akon, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus all wrapped into one band in its impact and complete domination of the Billboard charts. They were their only real competition for many years. In 1964, during the week of 4 April, the Beatles held twelve positions on the singles chart, including the top five. Just to make sure you understood what was just written, The Beatles had the top five songs and twelve in general! The Beatles First Visit to USA!

The influence of The Beatles still continues today. They were the avalanche that made the British Invasion what it became and paved the road for the British artists in America today. The mindset of peace and imagining a world with equality, respect and freedom for all are still with us. The legacy of The Beatles outlasted their actual careers together as a musical group. They were together for less than a decade and here we are almost forty years later still listening to and appreciating their greatness and artistry. From the days of cute ‘moptops’ to Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and finally Let It Be, The Beatles have left their mark globally and definitely for me personally. The Beatles First Visit to USA!

I remember the first ’45’ I owned was The Beatles I Want To Hold Your Hand. It is where this all started for me. In a world dominated by performers more interested in being noticed by paparazzi than trying to create world peace and love, groups like The Beatles are missed. Maybe it is time for some of the major acts of today to step-up and lead the way for the next generation. The Beatles First Visit to USA!