Today would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday. I wasn't around when he was alive and that pains me so. I just don't think I'll ever see anyone like him in my lifetime.
So here's to his birthday with some pictures and music to remember him by...
I'm not the biggest fan of older Elvis, but something about this song and him doing it once he'd fallen a bit out of fashion is just so heartbreaking for me
I think a lot of what gets people interested in vintage clothing, hairstyles, lifestyles, etc, is music. As people are growing up they gain a basic interest in old movies, and old music, and their tastes evolve as they learn more and more musicians. Most people know about Elvis or Buddy Holly, but rockabilly people will tell you about Bill Haley or Gene Vincent. Those people tend to have themselves immersed in a lifestyle, dressing as they would have if they lived 50 years ago. I find the vintage lifestyle is fairly often intertwined with a real interest in rockabilly music.
Well I found a site, though it doesn't seem fully developed (just over 80 members), that should be a really great tool for anyone interested in not just rockabilly music, but a rockabilly and vintage lifestyle.
On the rockabilly network you can interact with other people with similar interests. You can listen to music and see suggestions for little known singers and bands. You can also see what events might be going on in your area relating to your interests. I know too often I find out once it's too late about car shows or concerts.
Another great site for listening to music is Rockabilly podcasts They have a variety of podcasts that you can load onto your itunes/ipod and listen to on your computer. I'm never a huge fan of radio announcers, and some have more talking than others, but they do have great music and help pass slow days at work.
Lastly, the Subculture Collective stands as little rougher, psychobilly version of the Rockabilly Network. The music, podcasts, and information on this site is geared towards psychobilly music more than rockabilly and vintage classics, but if you're interested in it, it's a great resource.
SO I went to Pittsburgh last week to visit some long lost eldery family members in their tiny country town. I'm sure I'll post pictures of the place, and the great vintage items I found in Pittsburgh, but that's not what this is really about. This is about the news I got on Thursday night in my hotel room - that Michael Jackson had passed away.
I am an immense Michael Jackson fan. The minute he announced his concerts in London I was begging friends to agree to see him with me when I knew he would inevitably come to New York. I don't know why, but this loss is really taking it's toll on me. It's nearly a week later and I still feel on the verge of tears thinking about it. Bettie Page's passing brought me down, but this one is keeping me down. I think that's why I haven't been able to post anything since, and though this is hard to write, I feel like I need to get it out.
When I was growing up in Florida, racism was a huge part of my community. There were certain neighborhoods you didn't drive through, places where you knew to lock your doors, and very little segregation in my schools (at least until high school). Thriller came out the year I was born, and as such I was brought up listening to it. Same goes for Bad, Off the Wall, even to Michael's History album. In my house we understood that people weren't seperated by color and we were all the same. The only thing that defined us as good people, and people able to make it out of that state, was how good we were to our friends and neighbors, and how talented you proved yourself to be. Color played no part in that. For me, and most people I knew, Michael blew every stereotype out of the water, and joined together those people who tried so hard to keep themselves seperate. No matter who you spoke to, Michael was a unifier. He was common ground.
Seeing all the people coming out in favor of him lately, all I can help but think is did you support him during the changing of his face, through the plastic surgery, through the molestation trials? I know I did. Michael was strange, but like everyone else he was human. It breaks my heart to think the people who judged him possibly drove him to this place, and left us where we are now - missing a hero, a man so talented he crossed racial divides.
I know I will always have his music, but the idea that the world is now missing such an amazing person just breaks my heart. To all those who didn't believe in him - shame on you. I hope now you realize what we've lost, and in the future you will think to embrace and help those who require it, and not push them away.
For Michael Jackson- as some have said, I'm sure you moonwalked your way through those Pearly Gates and are now bringing many people an eternity of joy.
My lady friends and I brought out our dingiest sheets and best picnic recipes for this last year and had a wonderful afternoon surrounded by amazing clothes worn by true vintage enthusiasts and some of the best music to be found in New York. If you're in the area (I'm aware it's already Saturday) then bring out your dancing shoes for the Jazz-Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island!
Full description courtesy of Dreamlandorchestra.com:
Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officers’ quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair.
Widely anticipated by flappers, sporting gents and tiny tots alike, this event has been featured annually by The New York Times and the Sartorialist.
A wide array of music, food & drink, activities, games and contests are open for all ages to enjoy:
* A delightful variety of refreshing summer cocktails, wine, prosecco and beer are available and will be served by expert mixologists. * Picnickers are welcome. There will also be gourmet coffee and a yummy assortment of sandwiches, salads and other treats available. * Vintage ’78 records spun on 1920s Victor Credenza phonograph machine by Matthew Hinson * 1920s Motorcar Exhibition - take a spin around the island in a genuine rumbleseat; hold on to your hat! * Vintage clothing dealers and boutique milliners including Ellen Christine, Cassie McGregor and Leigh Magar of Magar Hatworks. They will all be peddling wares, so be sure to tuck some cash into your garter. * Special literature/ephemera booths and readings by the Dorothy Parker Society & F. Scott Fitzgerald Society * Horseshoe Toss * Tug O’ War * Parade Of Hats (Sunday Only)
I am not ashamed to say I love Michael Jackson. I always have and always will. The scary little boy lost documentary, pedophilia court cases, plastic surgery failures and all around weird behavior will never change the fact that I am a fan of his music and what he represented to me when I was young.
Monogrammed brooch, estimated $150-$200 USD
So today I come across the online auction for pretty much his entire life. It's really sad to see someone's life laid out like that. Everything from garden sculptures to patio furniture, fan art sent to him, music awards, video games, his clothing, hat and glove collections, etc. When Christie's did Marilyn Monroe's auction it was awkward, and this one is no different.
Costume pants, estimated $150 USD
For those who are ok with taking a part of someone's life because debt collectors took it all then this is for you.
Ok, so everyone I've mentioned this to lately seems to have already heard about it, but no one experienced it, so I'm thinking maybe I'm not sooo behind for once.
Pandora is a free online radio music project. Basically you type in a song or artist you like on the home page. They'll play one song by that artist (or the song you picked) and then their fancy program analyzes your tastes and plays other songs by other artists it thinks are similar and you might like. You can fast forward through ones you don't like, or even register and save your playlists in case they recommended some really good stuff.
Just in briefly playing with it I got this:
1. Gogol Bordello (they picked "start wearing purple") 2. Flogging Molly "Cruel Mistress" 3. Tom Waits "Rain Dogs" 4. Dropkick Murphys "I'm shipping up to Boston" 5. Gogol Bordello "Occurence on the Border" 6. The Pogues "Turkish Song of the Damned" 7. The Fratellis "Flathead"
Apparenly Eastern European gypsy folk music also equals 80/90s Irish punk music, but hey, I can see where they caught the similarities. All in all a good time and a nice way to learn about more music.
