A special thank you - from one survivor to another

I just finished a wonderful book.

Why do I know (not just think) it's wonderful? Because, a) it fits the classic definition of a 'page-turner' - I stayed up half the night after beginning it yesterday and then lounged around in my PJs until late this afternoon so I could power read it through to the end....and b) because I have a powerful urge to get a copy of this into the hands of those I hold closest and most dear because it will strike a very familiar chord  with them because of something our family went through 12 years ago.

The book is "Heaven Is Here" - a NY Times bestseller written by a remarkable woman named Stephanie Nielson. I don't want to throw in too many spoilers here, but Stephanie could be the 'girl next door' or across the street from any of us. She grew up in a great American town, surrounded by a large family with traditional family values and developed dreams, early-on in life of finding a prince and having a family of her own.

She found him - and they began building their real-life fairy tale until LIFE happened one fateful day a handful of years ago. That day, their love story changed to one of survival, faith, prayer, miracles and family solidarity. And the kindness of friends and even complete strangers through thousands of tender mercies, or if you prefer, acts of service. That's all I'm going to say - get online or to the bookstore or library and GET THIS BOOK!

Stephanie, her family and I not only live in the same town I do, but also the very same neighborhood up on Provo's east bench on Y mountain. Our families probably walk/hike jog the very same roads and trails, and I never knew them, nor their remarkable story until now.

I had no idea about their amazing, inspirational story of love, trials, miracles and overcoming incredible odds to first survive, then adapt, re-learn and thrive. I feel fortunate to have found their story and feel a kinship and like I know them a little bit through reading this book, and Stephanie's world-famous blog, NieNie Dialogues.

This book touched me particularly deeply because of a near-death experience I had, not from an accident, but from a surgery gone horribly wrong. I, too, spent months in a coma in the hospital, hovering between life and death. I also have vague mists of memories of being in a different place, with different people, while my body lay in a hospital bed with my family keeping-up the constant bedside vigil and prayers, and legions of people I never knew prayed for my recovery and performed incredible services and kindnesses to our family.

Our injuries were different, but Stephanie and I fought many of the same battles in our minds, hearts and bodies during the long and often lonely road through healing, rehabilitation and recovery. I openly wept in several places in the book because I know from my experience in my own way, what Stephanie went through in choosing life and then finding the strength and courage to re-build it, one faltering step at a time.

I describe more of my experience if you scroll down my blog to "Death's Doorstep" from 2012.

I cannot recommend Stephanie's book highly enough. It will help you reassess your life, and your trials and challenges, and allow you to realize how rich your life is with so many little things that most people take for granted.

BRAVO, Stephanie, Christian and family! Thank you for sharing your story with us and uplifting us.

Memories of McCartney....

I really feel like I should write a little bit about what I saw and experienced last night in Salt Lake City  - because it felt like a seminal moment in my life. At least, the part where you experience magic and make memories to last a lifetime.

I went to my first concert the Summer I turned eight - 1964. I remember it like it was this morning. Some older kids from my church group took me with them to the Reno Coliseum to see the Beach Boys. The first of many, MANY times I would see my favorite group, thanks to growing-up in the concert-rich environment of Southern California.

But somehow, impossibly, it now occurs to me, with all those years and all those venues in L.A. I NEVER managed to see The Beatles. All their concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium. I was probably at the beach when the lads from Liverpool rocked into town.

And so it was a few years back, shortly after George died, that I VOWED I would see Paul McCartney before one of us died. It literally became a 'bucket list' item for me.

Last night, I finally got to cross that off my list with one of the most INCREDIBLE evenings of entertainment I have ever been fortunate enough to experience. 

Sir Paul came out to a packed-to-the-rafters crowd at Energy Solutions Arena - home of the Utah Jazz. Now mind you, I have been to many, MANY concerts featuring all kinds of music in all kinds of venues both intimate and cavernous for 50 years now since 1964.  And I have NEVER felt a buzz of anticipation and awe as we felt in the run-up to the show. 

When the lights finally went down, the place ERUPTED into a standing ovation. Before a single word had been spoken or a chord struck. 

Why?

It was obvious to the SRO crowd spanning FOUR generations (I confirmed this for myself looking around the crowd in awe all evening) that we were in the presence of greatness - no matter how you measure it. 

A transcendent moment. 

I told my Father today on the phone I seriously can't imagine being any more moved if I had been in a parlor listening to Beethoven play a concerto, or in the Sistine Chapel watching Michelangelo paint his masterpiece. Am I giving in to hyperbole here? I don't think so.

At 71, Sir Paul still has that boundless energy, boyish charm and playfulness that millions of people around the world were captivated by the first time they heard 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' or 'She Loves You' on the radio or watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

He and his band played non-stop for almost three full hours and had people dancing, rocking, laughing, singing along and even getting a little wistful and teary-eyed at times remembering another time, another place or perhaps another person. 

He obviously takes his job as one of the two remaining Beatles - the one who is still out there on the road 'Letting It Be' every year all around the world - seriously. He spoke lovingly and reverently about John and George and sang tributes to each of them. He was a masterful, consummate entertainer, engaging and rewarding the crowd after every song with comments, gestures, nuances, stories and even some cogent life lessons and advice. 

He took his pitcher and emptied it onto the crowd, pouring out every last ounce of energy and love he had to give. And we drank it up and tried to pour it back to him with our applause...screams....whistles and yes...even tears. 

For me, it was a night 58 years in the making. And was it worth ALL that waiting?

Yeah....yeah....YEAH !!!!

The Greatest Beach Boys Songs You NEVER Heard

In case you have been living in a cave the past six months, here's a major 'NEWSFLASH' for you, served-up with a heaping helping of sunshine: the Beach Boys have turned FIFTY. (okay, technically, it was LAST year, but at our age, who keeps score?)

And here's the very BEST part - they invited ALL of us to their belated party this Summer!!!

Sadly, Dennis & Carl Wilson are gone - Denny no doubt sailing and catching waves on the other side and Carl singing in the Righteous Brothers' rumored rock and roll heaven. But Brian, Mike and Al appear to have finally put aside their legal differences and reconciled - hopefully permanently. Sometime in 2011, they picked-up the phone and gave former 'replacement' Beach Boys David Marks (the Wilson's neighbor) and Bruce Johnston a call.

One thing led to another, and Brian and Mike - joined by Joe Thomas and some guy named Jon Bon Jovi - started writing new songs. When they got to 28, they gave their old label, Capitol Records a shout and the A&R guys about FAINTED at the news: the old dogs - all are 70 or will get there this year except Marks - had learned some new musical tricks. The best 12 tunes are chosen and the first Beach Boys album of all NEW material in 20 years is christened 'That's Why God Made the Radio.' 

But wait, it gets BETTER.

As anyone will tell you, when you record a new album, the next step is to hit the airwaves and then hit the road. What most Beach Boys fans once thought impossible is officially announced on December 16, 2011: the surviving members of 'America's Band' will once again share the SAME stage - they will 'do it again'.  They title this epic event the '50th Anniversary Celebration Tour'.

February 12, 2012.

The reunited, rejuvenated 'Ambassadors of Summertime' pop-up on the 2012 Grammys, playing "Good Vibrations" to a standing ovation from the audience - including many of today's musical 'acts' who looked completely dumb-founded in the cutaway shots.

I swear, you could almost see little thought clouds pop-up above their heads saying things like "...hmmmm...so this is what REAL music/talent sounds like.." 


April 24, 2012.

The curtain rises in Tucson, Arizona and the group, backed by an all-star collection of the very best members of Brian, Mike and Alan's recent touring bands began spending the Spring and Summer crisscrossing the US multiple times, West Coast to East, North to South and everywhere in between. Once their countrymen have fully bask in a whole new set of good vibrations, they will set out to re-conquer the WORLD: Canada, Europe, Japan, Singapore and Australia before globe trotting clear back across two oceans to wrap it all up at Wembley in London in late September.

Ambitious? Yeah, to be sure. This trip would challenge even a group of twenty-something rockers.

Hyperbole aside, that the iconic group is doing this at 69, 70 and 71 years old is nothing short of a miracle - a miracle compounded with the sight of Brian out of the studio and back on a live stage with everyone, sitting behind a baby grand and even picking-up his bass at the end - and it becomes THE must-see concert event of the year. Of a whole LOT of years.

In between the tour stops comes more promotion - appearances on Leno, Fallon, the Today Show, satellite radio. They do an hour-long concert May 16th on QVC to jump start the sales of  "That's Why God Made The Radio" (TWGMTR) ahead of it's June 5th release and sell 20,000 copies over the TELEPHONE - take THAT Tower Records, Sound Warehouse and Licorice Pizza - before the album even hits Amazon and the retail outlets.

Today, TWGMTR officially debuted on Billboard at #3  - the Number Three spot on the Top 200 albums chart. The highest-charting Beach Boys album in - wait for it - 37 years, since 1974's issue of the "Endless Summer" greatest hits compilation.

In the case of 'something old/something new, it's the highest-charting album of previously unrecorded music in FORTY SEVEN YEARS. That would be 1965, my fellow gremmies. I don't know about the rest of you, but consider my mind #officiallyBLOWN.

Internet music sites and message boards are filling-up with articles, album critiques and concert reviews. The baby-boomers are gobbling-up copies of TWGMTR, selling-out venues across the country, and taking at least one and sometimes two younger generations of family and friends to the California version of the 'magical mystery tour.'

The band will play a concert Friday, June 15th live on ABC's Good Morning America as part of the free Central Park Summer concert series - lock n' load your DVRs. Later that evening, you can catch Brian and Mike on the O'Reilly Factor. Additionally, they have been added to the lineup on Front Row Center - a live Summer concert series on PBS.

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Many folks, both in and out of the industry have started making Beach Boys 'Best/Greatest' lists. Most solicit input for a Top 10.

I tried, I really TRIED, to list my Top Ten all-time favorite, most-beloved BB tunes. But it was like trying to stop a car without a brake - I blew through 10, then 15, and when I FLEW past 20 I realized this wasn't going to work. So instead, I decided to abandon the crowd under the pier and go find my very own wave to ride.

What I have come-up with is a little more manageable compilation - the Greatest Beach Boys songs that 'non-hard-core' BB fans may have NEVER heard. Here they are, in chronological order, with the featured song selections appearing hyper-linked and bolded (for my fellow tech-challenged aging boomers, that means you can click on the titles and have a listen - which you can also do back-up above and at the very end to hear two of the brand NEW songs). Feel free to drop a comment at the end with YOUR list of Beach Boys' lesser known gems.

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Surfin' Safari - 1962

The debut album from the Hawthorne, California teenagers peeked at 32 on the charts. Side One led-off with "Surfin' Safari" and finished with "409". (By-the-way, for those who know the words but don't know what they're singing about, a 409 was a special order 409 cubic inch big block V8 engine favored by drag racers)

Side Two began with "Surfin", the very first song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for their debut single, which was released by the very minor label, Candix Records. To backtrack, "Surfin" had exploded locally on the airwaves and the record shops around the Southland and got the attention of the suits in the funny, round building on Hollywood and Vine and just-like-that, Brian and the Boys had the backing of the mighty Capitol Records label for this debut album.

Surfin' USA - 1963

With their innovative brand of 'surf rock' now established, the Boys' second album spent a staggering 78 weeks on the charts and soared to #2, leading-off with the song which to this day is always their live concert regular set closer, "Surfin' USA".  

Side One closed with their second 'car song,' "Shut Down" and it's timeless intro "...tach it up, tach it up, buddy gonna shut you down.."

But sandwiched in between those two hits was a gem called "Farmer's Daughter", a sweet little up-tempo tune about a young man making his way on foot to somewhere - perhaps down the California coast with a surfboard under his arm - stopping at farms along the way and offering to work for room and board. The harmonies of this song, along with the wild notion of a teenager with manners has always made it a personal favorite of mine.

Surfer Girl - 1963

The Beach Boys second long-play vinyl of 1963 reached #7 during a 56-week stay on the charts.

The album leads-off with the very first song ever written by Brian Wilson - widely considered one of his most beautiful ballads. Coming home from a burger stand one night, Brian heard "When You Wish Upon a Star" on his car radio. He pulled over, listened more intently, then re-arranged the chord progressions in his head and raced home to his piano to finish the BB classic "Surfer Girl".

"Catch A Wave" and the beloved concert favorite "Little Deuce Coupe" - which taught the world what a 1932 Ford Coupe was LONG before John Milner drove his 'piss yellow' one through 'American Graffiti' or Tom Cruise sang it as a lullaby to his terrified young daughter in 'War of the Worlds' - drive the front.

The flip opens with another beloved Brian ballad, the hauntingly autobiographical "In My Room", which describes a teenage boy's retreat into his bedroom to find refuge from an abusive father. 

Brian then changes the tempo, and the mood, on the very next cut as he pens a rare musical tribute to a place other than California. "Hawaii" celebrates "...all the pretty girls with the grass skirts down to their knees..". The band thought enough of "Hawaii" to put it on their set list for Beach Boys Concert, their first live album recorded in Sacramento in 1964 - a show which drew Beatle-esque screaming and shrieks from the girls packing the auditorium. 

My other takeaway treasure from Surfer Girl is the Beach Boys throwing down the musical gauntlet to their main East Coast rivals of the day, the Four Seasons. The soaring harmonies of "Surfer's Rule" gave voice to the phrase which was graffitied on bathroom stalls and concrete walls all over the Southland.

Little Deuce Coupe - 1963

The '32 Ford had burrowed it's way into the hearts of hot rod fans everywhere and came out for an encore lap as the title cut from band's third album of 1965, but LDC turned-out to be much, MUCH more than just a re-hash.

After a re-visiting of "Little Deuce Coupe" "409" and "Shut Down" we heard a boy's love song to his '32 Coupe in "Ballad Of Ol' Betsy" along with "Cherry Cherry Coupe". 

Then came the homages - first to Craig Breedlove and the ride he rode to the world land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in "Spirit Of America" - and then to Hollywood teenage heartthrob James Dean - who died in a car wreck - with "A Young Man is Gone".

Toss-in a couple more car songs, and then you find the Beach Boy's 2 minute 6 second 'universal pep rally' which featured Brian's wife and Sister in Law - the Rovells - singing "cheerleader" and urging students and alumni everywhere to "Be True To Your School".

Shut Down: Volume Two - 1964

Capitol's appetite for Beach Boys albums had become the insatiable 500-lb. gorilla on Brian's back, and in 1964, "Shut Down Volume Two" started what would become the second straight year of three long-plays cranked-out.

Leading-off Side One was THE song which has been played as the encore finale at every Beach Boys concert this writer can remember going back to 1972. What many people DON'T know about this concert sing-a-long favorite is that "Fun, Fun, Fun" is a true story, but NOT set in SoCal.

In 1963, the Beach Boys rolled into Salt Lake City's rock powerhouse KNAK-AM for a promotion and ran into the station owner's daughter, who worked part-time for her Dad. She had borrowed his Ford Thunderbird to go study at the University of Utah library, but soon got diverted by friends to cruise, grab a burger and go to the drive-inn. She got busted. When Brian and Mike heard Shirley Johnson's sad story at the station, they knew they had a hit song on their hands, and the rest is musical history. This would be the first of two BB songs with Salt Lake roots.

Batting second was "Don't Worry, Baby" - one of the band's most beloved up-tempo ballads, featuring soaring harmonies telling the tale of a frightened teenager about to drag race for pink slips, and the love and reassurance he receives from his girlfriend.

The next cut is an AWESOME little 'unknown' that perfectly captures a teenage couple arriving at school and the moments they steal "In The Parking Lot" before classes begin for the day. Listen closely to this GREAT lyric and see if it doesn't take you straight back to your memories of those days.

Just three cuts later, however, comes a gold nugget in the form of one of Brian's most beautiful and emotive ballads. On November 21, 1963, Mike Love went through a painful breakup with his long-time girlfriend. The very next day, John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and within hours of the announcement, Brian and Mike rushed to the piano and poured everything they were both feeling into "The Warmth of the Sun".

For those who have never heard it, it is in the 'must-listen' category.

All Summer Long - 1964

1964's second album was the Beach Boy's response to the British invasion generally, and specifically, the band which would challenge (and encourage) the BBs for the hearts and ears of America - the Beatles. The two musical titans formed a mutual appreciation society across the pond and would push and challenge each other for years to come.

"I Get Around" launched this album - and sent it soaring into the stratosphere to the very top of the chart - the Beach Boy's first #1 single in the U.S. 

You don't normally think of a xylophone as a rock band featured instrument, but Brian did. The result was "All Summer Long", a song so full of sun, surf, girls, cars and teenage joy that George Lucas hand-picked it for the closing credits of his autobiographical classic "American Graffiti".

"Little Honda" was simple, fun, and probably boosted sales of small bikes and scooters.

Leading off Side Two was "Wendy", another break-up themed BB favorite. Then came a gorgeous, soaring key-jumping harmony titled "Girls On the Beach" which landed the Boys their first-ever big screen gig, playing in the movie of the same name. Check this one out too - you owe it to your ears. 

The album closer was musical testosterone, with surfers challenging each other to "Don't Back Down" from that wave, and it's great lyric "....with their feet full of tar and their hair full of sand, the boys know the surf like the palm of their hand...they're not afraid..."

The Beach Boys' Christmas Album

1964's third album saw the band perform the requisite duty of every successful recording artist: a compilation of Christmas tunes. Brian and the guys do some wonderful arranging and performing of the standards, but the angel on the top of this tree is a BB original about Santa getting around the world hot-rod style. "Little Saint Nick" becomes an instant Christmas music staple right up there with the Chipmunks.

The Beach Boys Today! - 1965

The first of three 1965 albums is widely considered the Beach Boys' second greatest album (behind something called "Pet Sounds" which we will get to in 1969).

It marks a seminal moment for the band but especially for Brian, who finally cracks under the enormous pressure of feeding the beast named Capitol. Brian suffers an emotional breakdown on a flight to a concert date in Houston, returns home from the tour and retreats to the solice and security of the studio.

A relatively unknown L.A. studio musician soon-to-become country music superstar named Glen Campbell takes Brian's place to finish-out the tour and is later permanently replaced by Bruce Johnston.

What emerges is a change of sound, and direction for Brian and the band - a departure from girls, cars, the beach and surfing.

Al Jardine's first BIG moment under this new sun provides the band with their second #1 US single as he pleaded with the girl with the unique name to "Help Me, Rhonda" and get him past a painful break-up (does there seem to be any other kind when you're a Beach Boy?) Rhonda drove the album to #4 during a 50-week stay on the album charts.

"Dance, Dance, Dance" makes you want to do just that and climbs to #8, and Brian vocalizes his growing anxiety about leaving his carefree teenage years behind and stepping into adulthood with "When I Grow Up (To be A Man)" which charts at #9.

Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) 

Side One of 1965's second album featured a VERY special shout-out/tribute to Utah. Apparently, the Boys discovered a little hotbed of mega-fans living in the 'Crossroads of the West'- especially of the female persuasion - and loved their regular concert appearances at Lagoon. 

"Salt Lake City" pays musical tribute to: 

• the Utah girls "...the cutest in the Western states, YEAH.." 
• the Utah dialect "...the way the kids talk so cool is an outtasight thing.." (hello Lay-UHN)
• KNAK-AM radio "...and the Number One radio station makes the town really swing..." 
• Lagoon "...there's a park near the city and all the kids dig the Lagoon, now.."
• and the weather "...they've got the sun in the Summer and Winter-time the skiing is great.....Salt Lake City....we'll be comin' soon.."

Though not a Beach Boys hit - in fact they've never played it in a concert outside of Utah I'm aware of - it sold TONS of records as a single released in Utah and made the Chamber of Commerce VERY happy campers.

As for the hits, in spite of the aforementioned nod to the women of the Wasatch, "Summer Days" produced one of the band's most instantly-recognizable songs globally when they musically proclaimed that cute girls the world over secretly WISHED they could all be "California Girls". The album 'fought-on' to #2 and the single #3 on the US charts.

The record closes-out with an awesome musical treat - a brief but stunningly-exquisite a capella number (the band would do a handful over the decades) called "And Your Dream Comes True" - a seemingly musical PSA for pre-marital chastity and a teenage couple literally at the doorstep of young adulthood and marriage. Again, treat your self for 1:04 and click the link.

Beach Boys' Party - 1965

This was Brian's musical 'rest album' of 1965, featuring mostly covers of other performers and bands. The concept was designed and recorded to sound like some RAGING party at the Wilson home in Hawthorne, but in reality was done in a studio, semi-impromptu.

There's some fun stuff here and some downright silliness, but the almost afterthought final tune was a cover of a Regents song penned by the relatively unknown songwriter Fred Fassert. The song featured a simple, simple little lyric but had a great beat and forever more becomes the most popular Beach Boys sing-a-long of all. 

"Barbara Ann" flew up the charts reaching  #2 in the US and #3 in England, winning over the UK rock & rollers once and for all.

That brings us to 1966 and a little project called....

Pet Sounds - 1966

Remember that 'new direction' Brian Wilson set course for a year earlier with "The Beach Boys Today!"? Remember how we discussed the friendly new rivalry with the 'Lads from Liverpool'?

The day Brian first heard the Beatles' theme-driven concept album "Rubber Soul" he went straight home to his wife and declared:

"Marilyn, I'm gonna make the greatest album! The greatest rock album ever made!" And boy DID he.

Teaming with co-writer Tony Asher, Brian opened-up the sonic playbook with bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, dog whistles, trains, Coca-Cola cans and barking dogs. And he introduced the entire music world to a REALLY bizzare sounding instrument called a theremin. To this arsenal of sound, Brian added L.A.'s famous 'Wrecking Crew' - arguably the greatest ensemble of studio musicians the world has ever seen (their accomplishments alone could fill a separate blog)

The boys - particularly Mike, who lived to write and sing fast, up-tempo, 'fun' songs - were temporarily stunned when they rolled into the studio, fresh off a tour of Japan to begin singing.

The end result was basically a rock symphony meant to be played in sequence - the story of an entire romantic relationship from beginning to tragic end. 

Released on May 16, 1966, "Pet Sounds" initially received a lukewarm response in the US, failing to certify gold despite reaching #10 on the album charts. But the Brits went absolutely bonkers.

Paul, John and their legendary producer, George Martin, were blown away by what they heard (once they recovered from their shock, their response was "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band") Ditto for Eric Clapton and a rising, young pianist named Reginald 'Elton' John.

"Pet Sounds" opens with "Wouldn't It Be Nice" before setting sail on the "Sloop John B" - soaring to the heavens with Carl's signature hymn "God Only Knows" - settling back down to earth with another Brian aging lament "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" and finally - bringing the curtain down with the achingly-beautiful "Caroline, No". Brian simply 'knocked it out of the park.'

His masterpiece reached #2 on the UK album charts, and once Capitol figured-out what they had on their hands and heavily promoted and re-released it, "Pet Sounds" blew through gold status and didn't stop until it went platinum. 

To this day it is considered - arguably - the greatest rock album ever produced and usually lands among the Top 3 on every credible "greatest album" or "most influential" of all time list.

Smiley Smile - 1967

When the Beatles ante'd-up with "Sgt. Pepper's" Brian attempted to call their bluff. His trump card was named "Smiley Smile"

Critically, it didn't get a lot of wind in it's sails, but it 'planted the seeds' for a couple of future Beach Boys HOF classics.

Side One opened with a bizarre cantina song which had to kind of grow on you, similar to the future Eagles' classic "Hotel California". It was called "Heroes and Villains". The US liked it okay (#12), the UK liked it better (#8) and Canada liked it best (#5).

Some other interesting sounds rounded-out the A side.

The flip side led-off with Brian's self-described mini rock symphony which has come to be acknowledged as his single greatest composition. Ever.

"Good Vibrations" single release - ahead of it's inclusion on "Smiley Smile" rocketed to the very top of the charts with a bullet and became the band's third #1 US single and their very first #1 UK single. Rock fans around the world couldn't get enough of "...gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations happenin' with her.." Oh yeah, the song made a musical superstar instrument out of the odd little theremin.

Wild Honey - 1967


The band's second album of 1967 and it's historic 'Summer of Love' reached #24 in the US and #7 in Britain - a fairly modest commercial success driven by a great Carl lead vocal called "Darlin"


Friends - 1968


The final cut on the Beach Boys' only effort in 1968 pretty much tells you where the guys were, musically, as the 60's drew to a close and the 70's about to open. "Transcendential Meditation" is about as far as you can get from the group's "girls, cars, surf and sun" roots.

20/20 - 1969


"20/20" had the double distinction of being the BB's 20th official album release and the final studio album on the Capitol label for the next 17 years. Critically, it crashed and burned in the 'colony,' dying at #68, but once again, the Beach Boys had a smash hit in the United Kingdom.


Side One led-off with a rousing return from the incense and psychedelic world of "Friends" to 'the formula.' "Do It Again" soared to #1 on the Brits' singles chart and is currently the concert opener for the '50th Anniversary Reunion Tour.' The very next cut features a return to soaring harmonies woven into a love song. "I Can Hear Music" didn't quite chart as high as DIA, but give it a listen and see if you don't find yourself smiling as Carl does what Carl does best.


Side Two opens with another cover and another great example of the Beach Boys taking an obscure song and giving it new life with 'the Wilson midas touch.' Al got the lead and does a great job taking us down into the "Cotton Fields" Again, go figure the reception on either side of the Atlantic - "Cotton Fields" went pretty much undiscovered at #103 in America, but rose to #5 in England.

Surf's Up - 1971


After 1970's "Sunflower" was a commercial wipeout, backed by a new manager, Brian and the guys got their mojo back. The opening side of the disc features perhaps the greatest composition/contribution to the Beach Boys by Bruce Johnston, with his now iconic "Disney Girls (1957)"


Side Two closes with two of the darker, self-apocalypic  collaborations between Brian and lyricist Van Dyke Parks. "Til I Die" and "Surf's Up" deserve a listen to fully descend into the world Brian Wilson was living in at this point in his legendary career. Warning: these are not the happiest nor snappiest selections from the Beach Boys' catalog, but they are what I would again label 'hauntingly beautiful' and are beloved by the 'hard-core' fans.



Carl And The Passions - "So Tough" - 1973

My favorite things about "Passions" is the album art and a catchy ode to a specific girl - "Marcella" - with Carl singing lead. Marcella is certainly NOT Rhonda nor Barbara Ann, but has an interesting lead guitar lick and great sleigh bells.

Holland - 1973

For "Holland" the band literally traveled to Amsterdam for a change of pace. The new scenery yielded "Sail On, Sailor" "The Trader" and "Funky Pretty". 


But while writing and recording, Al and Mike were struck with an acute case of California homesickness. They self-medicated with a three-song suite called "California Saga" - a history lesson and trip down the West coast of the Golden State. Again, do yourselves a favor and give this a listen. Mike's narrative in the middle is hauntingly-brilliant as the set-up to the finale, which you will recognize.

15 Big Ones - 1976

The Beach Boys' 20th album opened with a tight cover of a Chuck Berry's classic "Rock and Roll Music" which rose as high as #5 in the US.  In fact, about half the album features covers, but I love three BB originals many of you have never heard.

"It's O.K." is a nice return to sun, surf, girls and good times. "Had To Phone Ya" comes from another bout of homesickness with the band calling home to check-in with California. It's short - check it out. Finally, with "That Same Song", Brian gives us a quick musical history lesson

"15 Big Ones" debuted at #8 on the US album charts, spending a short 27 weeks on the chart but went gold. It would be the last Beach Boys studio album to reach the Top 10 until.....TODAY.

HAPPY 50th Al, Bruce, Mike, Brian and David. 

Thank you for this gift and for bringing us boomers 'back home'.

Isn't It Time?

Death's Doorstep - Ten Years Later

It was EXACTLY ten years ago day that something happened which would change my life, and to a lesser degree, the lives of my immediate family forever.

A seminal moment.

What happened on February 25, 2002 was one of those life events which started with me at the epicenter, and rippled-out through my family and beyond, touching friends, neighbors and even complete strangers.

Like many of life's hallmark days, the time since - in this case an entire decade - has passed quickly at first glance. Only when I step back and view this event in the greater familial context of who is still here - where they are and what they are doing with their lives - and do a head count of who has joined our family and who we now only get to associate with in our hearts and memories do the years seem pronounced.

This story is literally the story of a string of miracles, actual divine interventions, whisperings of the spirit, promptings and tender mercies which added together saved my life. It is also the story of the strength of a family, the enduring power of friendship, the incredible skill and dedication of trained professionals and the power of faith and prayer.

At some point in my post-college young adult life I developed Type 2 diabetes.

It went undiagnosed for years, though most of the classic warning signs were there. Foremost among these was severe weight gain. Even then, it might have remained undetected, with disastrous consequences if not for a trip to a podiatrist in Idaho Falls to try and get some relief from increasing foot pain. Almost as an afterthought, Dr. Michael James ran some blood work, and several days later called and asked me if I knew I was diabetic. This was Miracle Number One.

Through my parent's personal and professional connections, I soon found myself under the care of Dr. Carl Vance and the team at the Rocky Mountain Diabetes Center, a group of doctors and researchers renowned across the country for their cutting-edge expertise with this epidemic disease. Miracle Number Two.

By 2002, my weight had ballooned to just under 300 pounds, had already taken a heavy toll on my broadcasting career, my marriage and was now literally impacting the quality of my everyday life. After what I remember to be a year or so of consulting with Dr. Vance and coaxing from my mother, who had dealt with a similar problem several years earlier and finally turned to elective surgery, I took a deep breath and decided on what is now considered an extreme solution - a gastric bypass stomach surgery.

This was Idaho Falls, not Los Angeles, Boston nor even Salt Lake City. The much less invasive, lower-risk lap-band procedure was still years away as was the variation of this operation which can be done laparoscopically. Mine was to be what's called a roux-en-y, a full incision stretching from navel to breastbone. In the most basic terms, the stomach and intestines are surgically re-arranged to create a much smaller stomach or pouch, which only contains substantially smaller amounts of food. This facilitates rapid weight loss.

As I mentioned, my Mother had made this choice several years earlier and had the operation performed in Salt Lake City. Her surgery went off without a hitch, and minus complications, was back home within days. Little did we know or suspect my experience would be much, MUCH different.

The morning of February 25, 2002, I arrived at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls accompanied by my Mother and Father. My wife Betty was at work at Idaho State University in Pocatello, and our two youngest daughters, Courtney and Caitlin were in school in Idaho Falls. Tiffany was away in college, making wedding plans with Abram. Nicole was in Cleveland, where Boone was in dental school at Case Western.

At this point I should mention I personally remember very little to almost nothing about my life going forward for the next several months until I gradually awoke out of a deep fog in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University Of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. What I know about the events of February 25, and the interminable hours, days, weeks and months after come through the memories of those who were there keeping watch over me and each other, and from the writings of my dear Mother, who kept a journal of this odyssey.

I was wheeled into the O.R. around 1 p.m. My surgeon was Dr. David Chamberlain, a veteran of gastric bypass surgery locally and someone who had been highly recommended to our family. 

My Mother records: 

"We waited in the surgery recovery room from 1 PM until Dr. David Chamberlain came apx. 7PM and told us everything went fine....he told us Mike was in post-op and would be for a few more hours and was so heavily sedated he would not come out until morning. It is hard to remember my exact feeling except to feel so pleased that things had gone so well and to be excited because I knew what it would be like for Michael...a truly new beginning for his life. We got home at 10 to 12 so the first 12 hr. period was behind us."

What none of knew at this point in the story is something had gone wrong during the operation, something so small as to go undetected by Dr. Chamberlain and his team. To this day, Dr. Chamberlain, Dr. Vance and the many other doctors and specialists who would become involved in the fight to save my life are not exactly sure what went wrong and why.

The short answer is, an infection had started at the surgery site, which rapidly led to sepsis, a condition where bacteria overwhelm your bloodstream. Blood pressure drops, resulting in shock, and major organs and body systems including the kidneys, liver, lungs and central nervous system stop working properly.

By 5:00 the next evening, my vitals and ongoing lab results were alerting my caregivers that something was seriously wrong. After much consultation, a decision was made and at around 6:30, they opened me back up and went in, where they discovered the rapidly-spreading infection and necrotic, dead tissue at the surgery site. Dr. Chamberlain basically had to re-do most of the original operation and debride the surrounding area. They finished shortly before midnight. 

Thus began a running, round-the-clock battle to save my life which would test the skill and resolve of teams of the best medical professionals in Idaho Falls and Salt Lake. 

***************************************************************************

This is just the first chapter of a long story which would stretch over months and affect the lives in ways big and small of many, many people; as I mentioned, family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. For the actual ten-year anniversary date, I wanted to at least mark the occasion with this much of the story. 

In the best spirit of attempting to leave meaningful parts of family history for future generations, this specific blog entry will be an on-going effort until the entire, remarkable story is told. It is my hope that even in the midst of all our busy lives, those in the immediate family will be able to pause somewhere in the weeks and months ahead and add their recollections of this time and how it impacted them using the comments feature below.

I think this is important, because in the family discussions we have had at various times over the last ten years, we have agreed that in times of challenge, crisis and trial, it is critical to ask not 'why me' or 'why us' but rather 'what are we supposed to learn from this?' 

We have had some interesting moments during quiet conversations wondering aloud what was supposed to be learned through this time in our lives and who exactly the lesson was meant for. 

I invite everyone to reflect and then to share those thoughts with the family when time and circumstances present themselves to each of us.


To be continued...

Confessions of a Mormon Flight Attendant - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

My 'mid-life crisis' happened when I was 51 years old.

Unlike the movies, it did NOT involve going out and buying an expensive sports car, forming a rock band or moving to a beach in Mexico. No, it was MUCH worse than that.

I went flying.

It's a long story - like ALL of my stories. But the short version is, somewhere after my sportscasting career, on a semi-dare from a friend, I applied to United Airlines for a flight attendant (FA) position. It took about 20 minutes one night on a lap-top. A bunch of mouse clicks and ten days later I was in Chicago interviewing.

Three months after that, I moved into the 'dorm' at UAL World HQs next-door to O'Hare to begin eight weeks of training which turned-out to be the most physically and mentally intensive thing I have ever attempted in my life.

The seventh week was called T.K. - United code for Technical Knowledge. Emergency procedures training. Eight incredible days of learning and practicing skills which, in the most extreme and dire situations, will literally make the difference between life and death.

The final day is the day you test. 100% pass or fail. The closest thing I can liken it to is the SEAR training special forces candidates like the US Navy SEALS go through.

It was unbelievable the volume of information and training we received over these past eight days, and I already feel prepared to react/respond in a professional, skilled, proactive manner in the event of irregular flight ops or an actual emergency.

What follows is my journal entry from that unforgettable day.....

"...we tested today, a four-part ordeal which had two WRITTEN exams - one open book and one closed book - followed by two PRACTICAL exams - physical, hands-on demonstration of skills learned and mastered - one on administering emergency oxygen and the other, the BIGGIE, on emergency door operation and evacuation.

As I mentioned, the stress level was absolutely through the roof for all of us, regardless of age, experience, or educational background because so much was riding on this part of training: you passed or you packed, and were sent home ON THE SPOT. 


Sadly, I watched this happen to two of my classmates - both great, smart, educated people with terrific attitudes.

One failed the open-manual written test and the other failed on her emergency doors practical. In both instances, they were IMMEDIATELY culled-out from the group and whisked away privately, back to the Training Center to pack and then be put on a flight home.

No goodbyes, no hugs, nothing. It was absolutely GUT-WRENCHING to witness - like watching someone you know and care about get splattered by a car or bus right in front of your eyes. That the rest of us were able to re-gain some measure of focus and composure and fight through the remainder of our testing was pretty remarkable, but fight through we did.

And you NEVER KNOW.

Three days ago, a United Airbus 319 landing here in Chicago from Seattle hit hard, skidded off the runway, clipped some lights with both wings/engines, then veered back onto the runway. One FA and two passengers were injured.

Then YESTERDAY, our class had our 2nd domestic training flights. Two of my classmates were on a flight which had to abort it's takeoff roll right at the moment of aircraft rotation (when the nose gear comes off the runway and you begin to lift off the ground) because of a brake fire. Fortunately, the Captain yelled the 'REMAIN SEATED' command over the interphones to alert the crew that an evac would NOT be necessary, but all the crash trucks rolled and escorted the jet back to the gate. Everyone was shaken, but fine and the flight departed several hours later on a different aircraft.

MY training flight was to Kansas City and back. Not even an hour on the ground there. I only got to poke my head out of the jetway and say hello to the CSR at the Gate for about 30 seconds after we de-planed our Chicago passengers.

I must confess, those two take-offs and landings were very DIFFERENT from any others in my many, MANY years of flying as a passenger. Instead of peeking out the window or at a magazine or having my thoughts wander, I was KEENLY aware of my nearest exit - how I would get there expeditiously and operate the evac alarms and lights and get the door opened and slide deployed - this falls under the general umbrella of what they call SA - situational awareness. It means a heightened state of alertness, focus, etc on where you are, what & who is around you, and what available resources you have.

It is astonishing how many accidents, injuries and incidents could be avoided in everyone's lives - both professionally and personally - if everyone would take their mental multi-tasking DOWN a notch or two and ratchet-UP their SA. Meaning pay closer attention to where you're going, what you're doing, how you are holding or carrying something, blind spots, dark places, who is in the area.

It's kind of like that scene in ‘Bourne Identity’ when Matt Damon is sitting in the diner with the girl, and he visually sweeps the room and is able to tell her who everyone is, what they are wearing, doing, where his exits and contingencies are. Very cool stuff indeed. I hope to become even better and more highly trained in this type of stuff as I move forward with my new life and career.

Time is FLYING by...."

Bathroom Bliss On The Road For You and Those You Love

The days of terror anticipating and then enduring visits to the homes of your family and friends, especially when those visits are planned around a meal are now a thing of the past.

No more hunching over, breaking into a cold sweat and getting fidgity looking for the first available opportunity to bail for the door in search of a public restroom when there is serious bio-business to be taken care of.

Thanks to an anonymous group of miracle-working, society-changing chemists, the world can now relax it's collective sphincter and visit-on, happy, secure and confident in the knowledge that you won't be peeling any paint or watering-up eyes when you 'skip to the loo' to export your gastrointestinal products.

Presenting - Poo-Pourri.

Available at amazon.com in a variety of sizes, scents and combinations. In a nutshell, you shake this bottle vigorously then spray inside the still-pristine toilet bowl before you get busy, coating the water surface completely with a lemon-scented film which somehow neutralizes the smell of the deposits you then leave.

It's crazy.....but it works. It REALLY does. No more lingering post-flush to light half a box of wooden matches, spritzing a fog of Febreeze in the air or entrusting the fate of those who will come along after you to the terminally-ineffective bathroom fan.

I leave you with the poem found on the back of the bottle of Pou-Pourri products. Let these simple yet profound words be our declaration of guest bathroom independence:

"There once was a young lad from Rhone
whose odor he'd rather disown
now he's taming his poo
by anointing the loo
and now happily sits on his throne!"

A Great Day to Learn How To Do Internet Screenshots

Screenshots.

For the uninitiated, meaning mostly me, screenshots are pictures you take WITH your computer OF your computer. More precisely, pictures of your computer screen while logged-on to the internet.

Mr. Late-to-Every-Party just learned how to do them tonight. And naturally, in my enthusiasm over a newly-acquired skill, I decided it was time for a new blog.

We will call tonight's offering: 'What The Internet Sports World Is Saying About BYU After The Cougars Crush San Diego State On National TV'

((warning: you will soon discover it is impossible to read the fine print, but the originating publication, the title and the photo are plain to see))

Enjoy.

Salt Lake Tribune - Bill Walton meeting Jimmer

Salt Lake Tribune - Columnist Gordon Monson's thoughts from San Diego

Fox Sports.com - Jeff Goodman has been bagging-on BYU and Jimmer all season long. Sounds like he became a convert today. Jimmer will reportedly perform his baptism

CBS Sports.com - it was CBS's party today and the whole world was invited

San Diego Union.com - Aztecs (and especially their classy student fan section) without honor in their own country. I call this one KARMA

ESPN.com College Basketball Front Page - this from the 'worldwide leader in sports' To paraphrase Ron Burgandy, they are a 'pretty big deal'

and finally.....my personal favorite:

Sports Illustrated/CNN.com - the title and photo say it ALL, don't you think?