Beard rhythms
50 years ago today:
Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit – Grace Slick – Woodstock – August 17, 1969
I don’t remember Woodstock even though one of the earliest memories I have is the Lunar landing in 1969. Woodstock is in good company as I don’t remember Stonewall either. Even though 1969 is spotty in my memory bank, I am happy that I was around to at the least remember a few events that happened in that year packed with many historical landmarks.
Macklemore just dropped a new one.
No video, just the tune. Sobriety and the struggle within. Thank you Macklemore, I understand and I stand with you.
This is a disco tune that went past my teenage radar back during my youth and that great era of disco. It’s a tune I found later in life when reliving that bygone era. I fell in love with this tune.
Needless to say that the very first time I heard this tune the lyrics of the headline above stopped me in my tracks.
What the fuck? No Blacks, No Jews and No Gays?
Then I really listened to the message given through such a moving beat. A message that needs to be heard, must be heard.
Now all these years later I’m like “What the fuck?” This tune needs to be heard again? Does nothing ever fucking change?
Ok, ok , ok yes I’m on a soap box, but dammit people… We are not White, Black, Jew, Gay, Muslim, Mexican or PURPLE for that matter. We are human and we must care for each other, live together and care for our planet plus the creatures on it, or else we are fucked. Fucked.
Please click play, please feel the beat and move your tush. Please be kind to someone today that they may pass the kindness and understanding onto another. We have to start somewhere and dammit I start by saying I love you, care for you and wish to lift you higher.
Smooches!
There but for the grace of god, there go I – Machine – 1979
Imagine peace.
Imagine love.
Imagine respect.
Imagine passion.
Imagine empathy.
Imagine happiness.
Imagine beauty.
Imagine kindness.
Imagine forgiveness.
Imagine understanding.
Imagine harmony.
Imagine hope.
Imagine joy.
Wow just wow. This guy is phenomenal. Even more phenomenal than just that beard. Brought me to tears.
Chris Klafford – Imagine – 2019 – America’s Got Talent
This tune is always good for a twirl. This tune is also fitting for any Pride anywhere and anytime. Happy San Diego Pride 2019 Y’all!
Sister Sledge – We Are Family – 1979
Fearsome wishes to dedicate this to a certain Blogger who will be visiting San Diego this week.
We change hearts and minds One by One.
Let’s kick off San Diego Pride 2019 by sharing love, joy, peace and respect with all of those around us.
Cher – One by One – 1996
Happy San Diego Pride Y’all!
New York New York, it’s a helluva town!
Opening on Broadway in September – On the Town – and now on my bucket list!
Here is the same clip from the original 1949 film by the same name. One might recognize a star or two…
Ty Herndon – What Mattered Most (remastered) – 2019
Funny, the old version didn’t make me cry.
It’s a certain holiday that I don’t feel like celebrating today. I’m a gonna clean house, bathe the dogs, catch up on some odds- n -ends and maybe bake a cake.
I’ve got my California state flag a flyin’ on the pole out in front of my house.
So I’ll leave this here and wish you a great day.
Lil Nas X – featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road – 2019
This Gloria Gaynor version of I Am What I Am, although released in 1984 after I came out as a homosexual, was the first tune that I fully understood to be a Gay Anthem. Today it remains a classic.
Hands down Fearsome Favorite Ever Gay Anthem is ….drum roll…
Boys Town Gang – Remember Me / Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – 1981 – featuring Cynthia Manley
If one ever wanted to catch a glimpse of what tune could really get a young me on the dance floor then one would push play. Oh …and before pushing play, check to make sure there is enough room to dance a bit right where you are wherever you may be.
Above is the best copy I can find of the original 12” dance track that stayed permanently on my turntable back in the day. Enjoy!
Happy Pride Y’all!
XO
A new one dropped today!
Todrick Hall – I Like Boys – 2019
Is it possible to cry as one dances in the middle of a crowded dance floor? Yes.
John was the newly hired director of the newly established AIDS Foundation in my hometown. He was a handsome eligible bachelor, I was “on break” from my first lover relationship. He had invited me over to his place as we were on our first date and he was cooking for us. After he poured me a drink, he clicked on the stereo as we sat down on his sofa.
“This is the new release from Bronski beat” he said as I deeply inhaled the nostalgic antique smell of the large living room of his apartment on the second floor of a stunning old gingerbread Victorian home. I wasn’t yet familiar with Bronski Beat much less Jimmy Somerville. Jimmy’s voice enveloped us with a trancelike vibration. I was hooked even before the rhythms kicked in a couple minutes later. I remember wiping tears from my cheek as I listened to the lyrics that I understood all too well. John embraced me and I realized I wasn’t alone in my feelings.
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy – 1984
Above is the 12” extended mix that we danced many a night to in the clubs, below is the original 1984 video depicting the chilling story from the lyrics.
I don’t know what became of John. He sure was handsome. It was a confusing and scary time. We didn’t yet know how gay men were contracting AIDS and or who was going to be next. At that time it wasn’t if but when. AIDS in the 1980s was a death sentence and the deaths were miserably horrible experiences to live through. He was busy trying to set up the floundering new foundation to help area victims. I was young, scared and immature so I went back to the safety of my known lover. John continued his work and we drifted apart. However the memory is cherished.
Sylvester rocked my disco dancing world back in the late 1970s. My friend Cheryl Ayers and I tore up the Copperfield’s (a local disco in my hometown back in the day) main dance floor for every Saturday afternoon’s teen disco. We also entered any disco contest we could enter …being we were underage.
This is an American Bandstand appearance of Sylvester and Two Tons of Fun (AKA The Weather Girls). This classic must not be missed!
Sylvester – Disco Heat & You Make Me Feel Mighty Real – 1978
It’s officially pride week. Time to break out those dancin’ shoes.
Fearsome will start with the men who made this teen, back when he was a teen in the late 1970s, wish he was older so he too could be at the discos out west in San Fransisco.
Village People – Go West – 1979
Taylor Swift – You Need To Calm Down
Just in time for Pride 2019 …
Star Studded Shade = Fabulousness!
Taking a short break from daily pride post we reminisce back to 1975 when I was but a youth and Fearsome wasn’t quite yet peach fuzz. It was about this time that I started to discover my preference for male affection. Listening to music such as ZZ Top I was able to bond with older males (teenagers, and to not get any parties in a wad …that I wasn’t having sex with) who’s attention I desired.
Tush was a favorite. Listening to it today I realize it’s also a blues masterpiece.
You go Manila!
Connection:
Life:
Connection enriches life. Life connects us. We are sharing a common experience right now. We learn, love, teach, understand, support, share, laugh, cry, hold, grow and feel.
We…
Feel.
I pause to feel. I pause to experience. I pause to connect. I pause to…
Wow, just beautifully fucking powerful wow.
May I learn to fly today, today right where I am.
…and may I have a sense of humor that I might not take myself too seriously…
Life, let’s live it …and together may we have a fabulous day.
New from Cazwell and Manila Luzon – Hella Horny
*Deeliteful!
