SONGS BY JOHN LUCKEN
  • Home
  • Songs
    • Archive I >
      • There's a place
      • Rejoice in the sun
      • Tomorrow & Yesterday
      • Travelin Man
      • One Step Beyond
      • The Dream
      • Right Then
      • Goodbye
      • Resolutions
      • The Nightmare
      • Solitaire
      • For You
      • The One
    • Archive II >
      • The Ways of Change
      • Lose Your Love or Die
      • Though You're Gone Today
      • Hello There Little One
      • Pacifier/Complicator
      • Love
      • Warning
      • Forever Evergreen
      • Those Times We Had
      • On Our Way
      • Nasty Habits
      • Slow Poke
      • War Child
      • Summer Breeze
      • Anytime Anywhere
      • Time Capsul
    • Archive III >
      • State of Mind
      • Tribute
      • Second Thought
      • Back Alley Blues
      • I Told You So
      • It Just Don't Hurt Anymore
      • Persecution Complex
      • Anxiety
      • Rock-n-Roll Star
      • Interlude in E/Triumph
      • Trouble-Maker
      • We Can Make a Difference
      • On Such A Night As This
      • Beyond Words
      • Voyager
      • The Uncelebrated
      • I'll Be Back For You
    • Archive IV >
      • Early Saturday Morning
      • I'm Leaving You
      • Friends are Friends
      • Renaissance
      • Another Buck
      • Days' Done
      • Haywire
      • Thing's aren't what they Seem
      • One
      • Baqtasia
      • The Seed
      • Loneliness
      • Dreamspun Reality
      • Try one more Time again
      • Tangled Lives
      • Derelict Shuffle
      • Heat Up
      • Our Love
    • Archive V >
      • Never Going Home
      • Come What May
      • Hide Away
      • Way Back When
      • Home
      • Heaven's Gate
      • Atlantis
      • No Matter
      • Another World
      • Say Your Prayers
      • Finding my way Back
      • Boogie Blues
      • Over the Crest of a Wave
      • Reasons People Change
      • Not Far Beyond the Dream
      • How Many Times
    • Archive VI >
      • Someway,Somehow,Somewhere
      • Sunrise
      • Instrumental 1
      • Instrumental 2
      • HalfWay
      • Fade Back-to Reality
      • Confusion
      • Take as you Give
      • Test of Time
      • Nothing can stop you
      • Steamroller
      • Doin' it Right
      • Easy
      • Impact
      • Sooner or Later
      • Melancholy Monday
      • Judgement Call
      • City of Thieves
      • No Rest for the Wicked
    • Archive VII >
      • Prologue
      • The Promise
      • Keyz Teeze
      • By The Way
      • I've seen you out there
      • Headline Story
      • American Dream
      • Say what you Mean
      • Outta sight-Outta mind
      • Roller Coaster
      • Oh well
      • 1976
      • Small Town Boy
      • After the Fall
      • Dolphin Sonata
      • Wake Up-It's Not A Dream (2017-18)
    • Impact-Ground Zero >
      • Steam Roller
      • Nothing Can Stop You
      • Sooner or Later
      • Confusion
      • No Matter
      • City of Thieves
      • Tomorrow & Yesterday
      • Fade Back-To Reality
      • Doin' it Right
      • Second Thought
      • No Rest for the Wicked
      • Try One More Time Again
    • Impact-Critical Mass >
      • Keyz Teeze
      • On Our Way
      • WarChild
      • Tangled Lives
      • Easy
      • Impact
      • The Uncelebrated
      • Though You're Gone Today
      • By The Way
    • The Uncelebrated (single)
    • Another World 2025
    • I'm Leaving You 2025
  • Featured
    • Happy New Year!
    • Second Thought
    • Another World 2025
    • Good Trouble >
      • Protests
    • Sheer Luck (Web Edition) >
      • Sheer Luck (CD Edition)
    • Featured Songs 2015-2017
    • The Evolution of Confusion
    • In Memoriam
  • What's Next
  • Feedback
  • The Studio
  • What Else?
    • Resist >
      • Election 2024
      • Election Day 2020
      • Election Day 2018
      • Wake Up-It's Not A Dream
      • (non) Partisan Political Message
      • March For Our Lives
      • Democracy Awakening
      • Action Links / Good Trouble
    • Earth Day >
      • Earth Day (2016)
      • Earth Day 2017
      • Earth Day 2018
      • Earth Day 2019
      • Earth Day 2020
      • Earth Day 2022

Welcome!

This is an archive of my song ideas from over the years.
Many are rough guitar/vocal performances recorded to a portable cassette deck.Later works were recorded to 4 track cassette and 8 track reel to reel with drums and more instrumentation to serve as demos.None were meant for wide distribution. Please excuse the rough edges!

SONGS
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This is me in the studio we made at Nation Wide Storage in San Bernardino Ca. Mid 1990's.

  I'm a songwriter & guitarist who, like thousands of others,
thought I had what it takes to make it in the music business.
But, as John Lennon once said, "life is what happens while
you're busy making other plans". Time gets away, dreams & goals are put on hold & next thing you know, "10 years have got behind you",as David Gilmour of Pink Floyd  said, and now I'm a half century old! So, before my time is up, I decided I would put my stuff (over 100 songs) out there, for what it's worth, it is what it is, for my family, or anyone who's interested, to see another side of me. And this way I know my songs won't end up in a landfill somewhere. So please, check out the samples below, and if it intrigues you, I welcome you to explore further, this chronicle of my musical journey--
so far....
  The menu above my guitar case will take you to collections of my songs & lyrics. Using the drop down you can go directly to individual songs.


  Each month I will try to add more songs, lyrics, photos & videos until I have everything documented, so please check back from time to time.


              Thank you for stopping by!

​       Original, no-frills, Rock music

Songs
Featured
What's Next
Feedback
The Studio
What Else?

QUICK TAKE


2/6/2026


The Winter Olympics have begun in Italy.
Go Team U.S.A !

1/31/2026

Bruce Springsteen
has written a moving song about what's
going on in the 
​Streets of Minneapolis. 
It makes me proud when high profile people
are willing to stand up for what's right,
and condemn what's wrong.
That courage, will spread to others,
​and will deliver us from this evil.


1/30/2026


1/24/2026

On January 24th, Alex Pretti, an American Citizen
was shot 10 times & killed by ICE agents
as he protested their brutal deportations.

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A memorial for Alex Pretti

1/23/2026

I've been thinking about a song I wrote in 1981,
Second Thought. 
Funny how some things never change.
I could have written it yesterday.
The link is to a version from 1994 that features
my friend & drummer, Robert Husk, and was included
on my CD from 2000 Impact-Ground Zero.

1/10/2026

On January 10th we joined a protest in San Bernardino against the killing
of Renee Good
in Minneapolis & the paramilitary tactics
of ICE
agents, as they terrorize communities that oppose trump.
Here's a link to more pictures from the ICE out for Good protest.

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1/1/2026

​happy new year!


The best is yet to come!

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12/25/2025

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
&
MERRY CHRISTMAS
too!


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12/8/2025

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"Imagine all the people, living life in peace." 
​John Lennon was shot & killed 45 years ago today.

Here's a song I wrote about it at the time.
And my In Memoriam page for him.

11/27/2025

​happy thanksgiving!


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"Count your Blessings" 
my Mom used to say.
Although we are living in dark & uncertain times,
we still have much to be thankful for.
Our friends and family, the pets we love,
that bring joy to our lives.
The air we breathe, water we drink, our environment.
Things that can't be bought.
We have an abundance of material things.
from essentials, like food & shelter,
to the absurd & frivolous gadgets and distractions
we think we need.
Today is a day for perspective and to be grateful for what's
​truly important, & mercy, for those who have not.

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This Saturday, 11/29 is 
Small Business Saturday. 
Our chance to show appreciation for all
the small businesses that improve our lives.
Please consider giving them your support,
instead of the Billionaires.

11/15/2025


Nothing like a real, physical, sound recording.
To have & to hold. To listen to, read & enjoy.
Like God intended!
Got the new live Sammy Hagar CD last month.
He had a Las Vegas residency at the Park MGM with
The Best of All Worlds Band.
A lot of great songs from throughout his career.
Proud he's a product of the Inland Empire!
Check it out!

11/4/2025

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Be sure to Vote Yes on 50! 
​( 50 passed resoundingly & high voter turn outs
​across the country elected Democrats)

11/3/2025

Congratulations to the Los Angeles
DODGERS 
on a well played World Series.
You've made L.A., California, America &
fans around the world proud!
The Toronto Blue Jays
deserve respect for their great play too.
(18 inning Game 6!)


10/31/2025

​HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


​10/22/2025

Time for me to get caught up & post about a few things
​noteworthy that have happened recently.
In no particular order, I'll start with our losses:
Dr. Jane Goodall 
the eminent primatologist passed on 10/1 at 91.
Chris Dreja 
rhythm guitarist for the Yardbirds, 
the group that gave us guitar greats:
Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck,
on 9/25 at 78.
John Lodge 
of the Moody Blues, 
on 10/10 at 82.
And finally,
Ace Frehley 
of Kiss, 
left the stage on 10/16 at 74.
All made huge contributions in their own way
and will be missed by those they touched.
R.I.P 

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On a happier note,
Def Leppard 
got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Congratulations!

The 
No Kings Protest 2.0 
was the largest protest in American history!
Here are some images from
the protest I attended
.
Please get involved anyway you can.
Evil only happens,
​when good people fail to act.


10/18/2025

no kings day


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Today is the second No Kings Day Protest .
Please be a voice & show up to
Defend our Democracy.
Be thankful for the freedom we still have,
because sometimes you don't know what you've got,
'till it's gone
.

10/9/2025

Raise a glass to 
John Lennon 
who would have been 
85 today.

10/4/2025

Today
is the 10th anniversary of this website.
Here's 
this years message
&
​a new song.

9/26/2025

I've been slacking!
(And distracted)
I've got a lot of catching up to do here and things to say.
Will add some updates soon.
The 10 year anniversary for this website is coming up,
​and so is Halloween!

7/29/2025

Didn't get to mention a few things I usually try to, like:
the 4th of July
Paul McCartney's birthday (83 on June 18th)
Ringo Starr's birthday (85 on July 7th)
Both of these guys are still touring!
R.I.P
​Chuck Mangione 
​I loved this song of his.

7/23/2025


R.I.P 
Ozzy Osborne 

I had expected to write a little something about Ozzie &
Black Sabbath's farewell concert on July 5th, then
yesterday he passed away.
I have more to add to this and it will be on my
In Memoriam page soon.
In the meantime, here's one of my favorite
Ozzy songs,
appropriate at this time.

R.I.P
Mick Ralphs 
of
Bad Company



I'll have more to say about the passing of
​Mick Ralphs on June 23rd soon.


7/17/2025

Today is the 5th anniversary of the
passing of Rep John Lewis 
A Civil Rights Icon 
and the man who coined the phrase
GOOD TROUBLE 
There will be marches to honor him & to protest
the Tyranny taking over America.
Join one if you can.
In just the last week we've seen the dismantling
of the Dept. of Education begin and the defunding
of PBS and Foreign aid.
The destruction of our Democracy is grave.
The list of targets of this Regime is staggering
in it's scope & cruelty.
I will add more thoughts later, dwelling for too long 
on this sad state of affairs can be overwhelming.
I guess that's their objective.
Stand strong in solidarity.
​This too, shall pass.
​My Good Trouble page.

NOTE: 
A number of things happened in June & July
I'd like to mention here, but I haven't had time.
I'll comment soon on Bad Company Ozzy & Black Sabbath 
​and more.

​6/14/2025


It's Flag Day. 
It's also No Kings Day. 
Show your love for America, the flag, our Constitution,
freedom & liberty by defending our Democracy.
​More images from the protest.


A couple of songs to mark the occasion:
War Child / We can make a Difference 

6/11/2025

R.I.P
Brian Wilson 
of The Beach Boys.
He's been called a musical genius and a master of harmony.
I was a little young when they hit the scene & they were another
band that didn't fit perfectly in the Rock mold. But there was no
denying their influence and how important their music was
to the soundtrack of those times. He was an influence to
the Beatles as they were to him.
 
Their music harkens back to a simpler more innocent time
of girls, cars & the beach. Those were the days!
A few of my favorites:
Wouldn't it be nice, Good Vibrations, Sloop John B 
and of course...
California Girls. 
Thank you Brian.




A couple of my sisters Beach Boys 45's
​I ended up with.

6/9/2025

 R.I.P
Sly Stone 
of Sly and the Family Stone.
An influential multi-instrumentalist & songwriter
of the 1960's & 70's.
I didn't really appreciate them at the time
because they weren't in the Rock music category.
I've since realized how much they contributed to the
soundtrack of those years. His band was a diverse
group of musicians representing different races & genders.
With a message of unity and peace.
Check out: Hot fun in the Summertime, Thank you,
Higher, Dance to the Music 
and my favorites:
Everybody is a Star & Everyday People. 
Thank you Sly.

5/26/2025

I am saddened to hear of the passing of
Rick Derringer 
He was an awesome guitarist & an inspiration
to me as I joined my first band in 1978.
In addition to an extensive solo career,
he played a big part in 
The Edgar Winter Group. 
Here's my favorite song of his,
the guitar work is exquisite.
Beyond the Universe,  
May he
Rock In Paradise.


5/5/2025

Happy 35th Anniversary to the love of my life,
I'm grateful to be sharing it with you Betty!


5/4/2025

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I took part in a May Day Rally & have
added photos & videos to my
Good Trouble page.

​5/2/2025

I've got three notable things I'd like 
to highlight today. First something fun.
Greenday 
got their star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood over the weekend!
Congratulations to them & glad to see them recognized for their
contributions bridging Punk to Alternative Rock. 
Hard to believe they've been around 38 years.
Still relevant, they were a main Headliner at the recent
Coachella Music Festival. 
Here's one of my favorite songs by them.

Next

May Day Protests 
proliferated across America
in response to the unprecedented lawlessness
of the trump regime.
More gatherings are planned this weekend.

Finally

Rock band R.E.M, 
in the aftermath of "our government's"
attacks on PBS, NPR & Voice of America 
have reissued their song 
Radio Free Europe 
ahead of #WorldPressFreedomDay. 
Proceeds are to subsidize funding that has been cut.
Thank you to the band for continuously 
standing up for what's right.
 



4/22/2025

Do something Kind
on
EARTHDAY 

4/21/2025

R.I.P
Pope Francis 

I'm saddened that he passed away
the day after Easter. 
He was a Good Shepherd 
for his flock & the world.
A humble man of peace who championed
justice, love, kindness & empathy.
A Pope who truly tried to be Christ-like, 
as I was taught to strive to be in Catechism. 
Although I'm no longer a practicing Catholic, 
as these days religion is used as much to divide as unify,
I still live my faith by heeding the Golden Rule :
Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
Pope Francis exuded fairness & was an inspiration for good
in the world. I hope that his legacy continues in the church.

Update: 
After nine days of mourning a Conclave was convened
and on May 8th Cardinal Robert Provost was
chosen to Pope of the Catholic Church.
He chose the name Leo XIV. 
He is a champion of the downtrodden & will
hopefully follow in Pope Francis' footsteps.
He is also the first America Pope!


4/11/2025

Tomorrow Saturday 4/12/25
Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
will be in Los Angeles.
The gathering begins at 9 am at
Gloria Molina Grand Park.
Special musical guests Neil Young & Joan Baez 
will be there!
More info here.
Admission is free.

4/5/2025

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A great day for Democracy, Free Speech &
Peaceful Protest across the U.S.
as well as the world.
Above is a photo of the Hands Off! protest
I attended in Riverside Ca.
​MORE

3/22/2025

I have added a new page
Good Trouble. 
There I will highlight protests, actions & marches
in opposition to the dismantling of our government & Democracy.
The term "Good Trouble" was popularized by
John Lewis during the non-violent Civil Rights Protests 
of the 1960's.
Please get involved to save your Democracy.


3/21/2025

I've added a CD Edition 
of Sheer Luck - Articulate Conception 
to the website.

3/18/2025

R.I.P
Jesse Colin Young 
of the Youngbloods passed away last Sunday.
Gave us the 1960's hit Get Together 
which was and is a great song of that time
and had a big affect on my own outlook toward society.
A sentiment sorely needed today.
Chet Powers was the actual author of the song
they popularized.

3/13/2025

St Patrick's Day 
is almost here!

3/7/2025

Here's a look at the graphics I've put together
for the CD version of my latest project:
Sheer Luck
Articulate Conception
 



2/28/2025

Today I am participating in the
Economic Blackout. 
It is a one day protest organized by
The Peoples Union 
to bring attention to corporate greed
and the roll back of
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 
initiatives.
All you have to do is not spend money for one day.
Money is the only language business understands
and unfortunately, our loudest voice right now.
Vote with your wallet.
More actions are planned for March.
Go to the links above for more info.
​There was also an incident at the White House today.


​2/25/2025

Happy birthday to
George Harrison 

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2/17/2025

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So....here we go again.
With the twice Impeached, four times Indicted
Convicted Felon, Sexual Predator & Russian Asshat
back in the Oval Office,
I'm bringing back my Resist page, 
on Not my Presidents Day. 
There are dark days ahead for America & the World.
Stay safe, involved & alert.
Or as we used to be able to say... Woke. 
By the way, Woke is just the latest word Republicans have
flipped on it's head in an effort to weaponize it against us.
Before that it was ​Liberal, Progressive, and even Democrat 
that was turned into an insult.
Wake up. These people aren't putting America first,
when they act this way.

2/16/2025

Today marks 50 years for
Saturday Night Live!  
And you know what that calls for...
More Cowbell!!

2/1/2025

I have completed the website version of my concept album:
Sheer Luck - Articulate Conception

A while back I mentioned some early movies about
A.I. or Artificial Intelligence on this page.
At the time, there was news of a new Beatles song
that would utilize A.I. to recreate a song John Lennon 
had been working on before he was shot.
That song, Now and Then, was released last November.
At tomorrow's Grammy Awards, it is nominated for
Song of the year!


1/31/2025

It was great to see all the support for the
Pacific Palisades and Altadena fire survivors, victims
​& First Responders
at the FireAid concerts.
A lot of great performances from great artists
and a welcome show of unity.

1/6/2025

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Never forget
These guys tried to 
overthrow our government
&
​steal an election.

1/5/2025

I just finished up a song I've been working on.
I'm Leaving You 
I think I'm all caught up on my social justice
and protest songs for now!


1/1/2025

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​HAPPY NEW YEAR!

12/29/2024

R.I.P
President Jimmy Carter 
President Carter was honest, trustworthy, brave, clean & reverent.
All qualities I was taught to try to emulate through the
Boy Scouts Law & Oath. 
He was also a peacemaker a humanitarian a good, decent man
and loyal husband of 77 years.
I am proud that he was the first President I voted for
and to have helped support the Carter Center over the years.
His is the standard all Presidents should strive for & be held to.
How sad it is that voters chose his polar opposite
as our incoming leader this past November.
I'm glad he won't have to see what comes next for America.



12/24/2024

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Click to see my Christmas page.

Merry Christmas
&
​Happy Holidays!


12/23/2024

​Happy Festivus!


12/8/2024

Today is a day I'd rather not remember.
John Lennon was shot and killed 44 years ago today.
I still feel deep sorrow even though it was so long ago now.
Nothing has changed regarding gun violence in this country.
In fact it's worse and even easier to get a gun
despite all the mass shootings and organizations
dedicated to the awareness of our gun epidemic:
more guns than people in the U.S.
120 guns per 100 citizens or 393 million guns vs 334 million people.
When will the insanity end?
As long as fear & hate rule,
never.
I wrote the song below after Lennon was killed.​

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Click on image for Tribute song page & lyric


12/6/2024

I've added a page for
Small Business Saturday 
Also...
Christmas 
is coming!

11/28/2024

happy
​thanksgiving!


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Shutterstock

Even in the darkest hour
there is light
when we remember to be thankful
for the good we've been granted
and the redemption that is
Hope.

11/9/2024

I kept thinking
Republicans would pay a political price
for the hate & division they had sewn.
Their lack of honesty and decency
and failure to hold a tyrant accountable.
To protect our country & it's citizens.
I was wrong.
Instead they were rewarded
and Democrats were punished for their moral character.
God help us and deliver us from this evil.

11/6/2024

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11/5/2024

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11/3/2024

R.I.P
Quincy Jones 
The music producer, writer & arranging great.
We are the World
&
Michael Jackson's Thriller 

are a couple of his many contributions
that made the music world a better place.
A new choir awaits,
Maestro.

​11/1/2024


Congratulations to our L.A. Dodgers! 
World Series Champions.
​Today is the victory parade.
The victory was somewhat bittersweet.
Days earlier, on October 22nd,
Fernando Valenzuela 
"El Toro"
 

passed away.
R.I.P 
A shining star in Dodger history.


10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! 

10/25/2024

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Wake up-it's not a dream This is serious

10/20/2024

I've added an updated version of my song
We can make a Difference. 
Also on my Halloween page,
I broke out the old ​Ouija Board!

10/9/2024

Happy Birthday to
John Lennon 
Today would have been his 84th.


10/4/2024

Today is the 9th year anniversary of my website!
​Here's a few words about that.
There have been so many News items I've wanted to comment on
here lately but I haven't been able to get to it until now.
So here goes, in no particular order:
Congratulations to Pink Floyd on the sale of their song catalog
for a cool 400 million!
Congratulations too to President Jimmy Carter on his 100th birthday!
He was the first President I voted for & I still give to the Carter Center. 
Rest in Peace to three great songwriters:
Will Jennings, J.D. Souther, & Kris Kristofferson. 
Click on their names to see their incredible body of work.
They will be missed.
I will add a few pictures from the Paralympics to my Olympics page belatedly.
Finally, it's an election year full of drama & terror.
I'll have a few thoughts about the debates, election & future
​of our Democracy in the coming weeks on my
​Election 2024 page.


9/2/2024

Happy Labor Day! 

 I have a few topics I'd like to highlight from the
last few weeks that I haven't had time to comment on.
I'll go back chronologically to 8/2.

8/19/2024

Here's some pictures of the DNC Convention. 
I'll add some comments on the 2024 Election ​soon.

8/17/2024

R.I.P
To my old friend Mike.
Viet Nam Vet. Baseball player & Classic car fan.
Break out the Horseshoes & dart board & tap the kegger,
Mad Mike's in the great beyond now!

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Friends are Friends page & lyric.

8/11/2024

Here's some pictures of the Olympics closing ceremonies.
Don't forget to check out the amazing athletes competing
in the Paralympics 8/28-9/8/2024.

My song Voyager 2024 has been updated & added.

8/7/2024

R.I.P
Jack Russell 
of the Rock band Great White. 
Loved their tribute to Led Zeppelin. 

8/2/2024

Saddened to hear Aerosmith is retiring
from touring. I've loved their music since High School.
Hopefully they can still do some studio work.
I've added a tribute page here to them.

7/26/2024

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​Let the games begin!

7/24/2024


We had to see the new movie Twisters 
on the IMAX big screen & we were not disappointed.
It was the long awaited follow-up to 1996's Twister. 
The original will always be our favorite & we watch it every year.
The great actors: Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Philip Seymour Hoffman
& Jami Gertz (Seinfeld) to name a few. The imaginations of
Michael Crichton & Steven Spielberg. And most of all, the music!
Especially Van Halen's Humans Being & Respect the Wind. 
It's been a rough year for a lot of people in the States
affected by twisters, unfortunately, and disaster as entertainment
can seem misplaced. Still, cautionary awareness of the power of Mother Nature
can only benefit a more prepared society.

7/23/2024

I'm looking forward to the
2024 Paris Olympics.
Go Team U.S.A!
I've added an Olympics page.

7/14/2024

I've added an updated version of my song
Time Capsule.

7/4/2024

It's 
Independence Day 
Cherish the relative freedom, peace & Democracy we enjoy.
There is no guarantee we will have them next year.
Click on the link above, also some items on the Featured ​tabs.

​6/19/2024

Today is Juneteenth 
which commemorates the end of slavery in America.
This is not a new idea, although, like me,
you might not have heard of it until recently.
Unfortunately, like so many important milestones & tragedies,
if the Race affected was not White, it wasn't necessarily
a part of the school curriculum we were taught.
It's shocking how many events I didn't know about.
Such as: the Tulsa race massacre the story of ​Rosa Parks 
the ​Freedom Riders the ​Lunch counter sit-ins   
the ​Tuskegee Airmen the ​Negro League Baseball
and so many other events that could have promoted
empathy & understanding, if more were aware.
Or Woke, if you prefer.    
 


6/16/2024

Happy Fathers Day!

6/14/2024

It's Flag Day!
Respect it.


6/7/2024

R.I.P
William Anders,
Apollo 8 Astronaut who took the
Earthrise 
photo I've used on my Earth Day slideshows.

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Earthrise William Anders/NASA

6/6/2024

 80th anniversary of D-Day.
American & Allied forces land on Normandy beaches
to liberate France from Nazi Germany.
It's what friends do when invaders try to take over.
NATO was formed as a result.

5/30/2024

​justice


4/30/2024

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4/24/2024

Congratulations!
to one of my all-time favorite rockers
Sammy The Red Rocker Hagar,
who is getting his star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame ​on April 30th.
I've seen him many times over the years:
Montrose, solo, Van Halen & the Waboritas. 
The great music continued with
Chickenfoot and The Circle. 
A local legend from the good ol' I.E.


A few shots of the albums & CD's
​Sammy has done in my collection.

4/23/2024

A quick shout-out to all the student's across the nation
making their voices heard in the non-violent tradition of protest
over the devastation of the civilians in Gaza.
Palestinians must have their place of safety & freedom,
as well as the Israelis. No one should live in fear.
I'm proud our youth are standing up for justice.
Now, if only our leaders will listen.

4/22/2024

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It's 
Earth Day 
again!

4/18/2024

R.I.P
Dickey Betts 
Guitar Great of Allman Bros fame.
I've added a small tribute to him on my
In Memorium page.

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4/8/2024

It's Eclipse Day!
I had a habit, over the years, of coming up with band names
before the band had even formed!
The first of these was Eclipse while I was still in High School.

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Here's a shot of the partial Eclipse from October 16 2023. iphone SE thru Meade 4" reflector telescope eyepiece with solar filter.


I also have a new version of my song
Friends are Friends.

3/17/2024

Happy ​St. Paddy's Day!

2/19/2024

I had a little health issue over the holidays
so haven't been progressing much here or musically.
I pinched a nerve doing yardwork & wasn't able to
stand or walk much for a couple of months.
The meds I was taking sapped my drive too.
I'm happy to say I'm getting back to normal &
am anxious to get back in the groove again!
​I'm thankful for my mostly good health.

2/16/2024

R.I.P 
​Aleksei Navalny

1/6/2024

Remember January 6th 
&
Vote for Democracy in 2024

12/30/2023

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
2024 promises to be a year of hope,
but could also be a year of Tribulations. 
The first Presidential election since the Insurrection.
Wake up-it's not a Dream and...  
Say your Prayers we can learn to Live in Peace as
One.

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As a side note, tomorrow's date is
123123
which doesn't happen too often.
So cheers to the numerologists out there!
We have a little fun announcing to each other
whenever the clock reads 123 or 321 or 456 or 654
or 432 or 234, you get it, throughout the day
& we happen to be looking at the time.
It takes so little to entertain me sometimes!
Wishing Peace & Harmony for you
and the World in 2024.

12/15/2023

Happy Holidays! 
And Season's Greetings!
I haven't kept up on things here lately,
but with so much going on in the world,
I will add my two cents soon!
​Stay well.

10/31/2023

​Happy Halloween!

​10/9/2023

Happy Birthday to ​John Lennon

10/4/2023

Today is the 8 year anniversary of my website!
I've accomplished a few things, new recordings of my songs:
One, Forever Evergreen & Live in Peace 
but have mostly slacked off.
I am working on a couple more songs that will be on the site soon.

8/15/2023

Georgia grand jury indicts Trump

Like I said.....

7/31/2023

I have a new version of my song
​Live in Peace 

7/30/2023

There have been a few notable
happenings & passing's this month. 
First the good news:
A happy 80th birthday to
Sir Michael Philip Jagger!
(Mick, to you & me)
I had the privilege of seeing 
The Rolling Stones 
twice in the 1970's & 80's. 

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Mick & Keith from the Goat's head Soup album

In sadder news we lost both
Randy Meisner of the Eagles 
& Sinead O'Connor
on July 26th,
as well as Tony Bennett
on the 21st.
These artists knew how to
Take it to the limit.
R.I.P

​7/7/2023

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Happy 83rd Birthday
&
Peace & Love
to Sir Richard Starkey.
Better known as Ringo! 
Still going strong & touring.


7/4/2023

Happy ​4th of July!

6/19/2023

Today is Juneteenth. 
The day troops were sent to Texas to free the last
people still held in Slavery 2 years after
President Lincoln signed the ​Emancipation Proclamation 
​that had freed them.

Last month I posted some comments about A.I.
Then there was a press release from 
Paul McCartney that a new Beatles song
would be released soon using A.I. to recreate
or enhance John Lennon's vocal.
Exciting news that A.I. can be used in
constructive ways in the right hands.

​6/18/2023

​Happy Father's Day!

Today is also
Sir Paul McCartney's 
81st birthday!
What a treasure this guy is, practically a modern-day Mozart. 
We watched an old VHS tape, coincidentally, of a program
we'd recorded in 2002 on ABC network titled Wingspan. 
Quite interesting, it chronicles McCartney's years after the Beatles 
as he formed his band Wings with wife Linda. 
Also just this morning we saw a report on an exhibition 
of Paul's photos from 1964 of the Beatles first trip to the U.S.A.
Check these out if you get a chance, got to appreciate our
Fathers as well as the Fathers of Rock-n-Roll
​while they're still around!

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Linda McCartney

6/8/2023

I've added a new version of my song
​One.​

6/2/2023

Remembering Songwriter
Cynthia Weil 
She was the creator of so many well known songs
along with her collaborator & husband Barry Mann. 
Please click on her name for a little background
and the impressive list of songs they gave to the world.
​R.I.P 


5/31/2023


A.I.
or Artificial Intelligence is here.
We've actually expected it for sometime now.
Another disturbing prediction was in the news today.
I remember seeing this movie that came out on
my birthday in 1970.
Back then a computer filled an entire building.
Today, it fits in our pocket!
Like 2001: A Space Odyssey's HAL 9000, 
it was a warning about allowing an entity
that thinks, but is not necessarily thoughtful,
to control our lives & decide what is best for us.
It probably began with time keeping,
that loss of autonomous control of beginning & end.
Although Colossus: The Forbin Project is dated by todays standards,
it still amazes me how prescient some Sci-Fi writers have been.
Check out all of Michael Crichton's work for example.
Especially Micro, Prey & Timeline.  


5/24/2023

R.I.P
Tina Turner 
I remember watching her & Ike 
preforming CCR's Proud Mary 
on The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1960's.
She also did a number of duets,
most notably with Bryan Adams & Mick Jagger at Live Aid.
My favorite though has got to be
Take you Higher.


5/12/2023

Sorry to hear of the passing of
Mary Turner ("the Burner") 
A beloved D.J. at KMET FM (The Mighty Met) 
a popular AOR Rock L.A. radio station
back in the 1970's & 80's.
  



5/5/2023

Wishing a Happy Anniversary 
to my dear wife Betty.
Thank you for putting up with me for 33 years.
I Love you!

5/2/2023

I'd like to acknowledge a birthday
and a passing today.
​Happy 90th birthday to Willie Nelson! 
on April 29th &
​Gordon Lightfoot 
​who we lost on May 1st.
His "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" 
is one of the greatest True story-songs of all time.

4/22/2023

Happy Earth Day! 
Try to take a minute to reflect on nature's beauty
and do something kind for the planet.
It's a great antidote to inhumanity.
Remember, for all our differences,
we're all passengers on the same bus!

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Earthrise Nasa

4/10/2023

My Earth Day page is up now.
I've got a new version of 
Forever Evergreen there.

4/9/2023

Happy Easter
&
​Welcome Spring!


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4/4/2023

It's Indictment Day for Trump.
Hopefully he will get all the credit
for his actions, he so richly deserves.
Buckle up, this is only the beginning.
Here's a song I wrote before he even
took office, was impeached, twice,
instigated an insurrection & stole
top secret documents.
What a guy.

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Today is
3/23/23!
​Won't see that again.

3/17/2023

Hope your St Paddy's Day
​is Lucky!


3/5/2023

R.I.P
Gary Rossington 
of
Lynyrd Skynyrd 
&
The Rossington Collins Band 
A lot of great music.
Simple Man
was a favorite, as was
Tuesday's Gone 
below.
Fly high Free Bird.  



3/1/2023

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Fifty years ago today
Pink Floyd released
Dark Side of the Moon. 
One of the greatest Rock albums of all time.
Like the Beatles Sgt. Pepper, a Concept record
that lit the fire of my own musical quest
of serious subjects & deeper meaning.


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2/25/2023

Happy Birthday 
to
George Harrison! 
He would have been 80 today.


Thanks to Rolling Stone magazine
​for the images above.


Today marks the one year anniversary of
the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Biden became the first U.S. president to
visit a war zone not under the control of our military
then spoke in Warsaw Poland.

2/18/2023

Happy Birthday
to
Yoko Ono-Lennon! 

2/9/2023

R.I.P
​Burt Bacharach

It's hard to overstate his importance
to the world of music as we know it.
For years I was a member of 
The National Academy of Songwriters 
and got to see him at an awards ceremony honoring 
Crosby, Stills & Nash. 
​





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With the great lyricist Hal David, 
Bacharach created one of my favorite songs:
What the world needs now is love. 
Sung by Jackie DeShannon, 
who hosts "Beatles News" on the Sunday
Breakfast with the Beatles show
with Chris Carter on 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles.
Below is a moving alternate version from 1971
by ​Tom Clay.  



Unfortunately not much has changed since '71.
As we are reminded with near daily shootings in 2023.
Still too little love in this world.

1/19/2023

R.I.P 
David Crosby 
founding member of iconic 1960's groups
The Byrds & Crosby, Stills & Nash 
and sometimes Young. 
Writer of so many great and influential songs
that inspired me.
Saw CSN in 1994 in Los Angeles at the 
9th Annual Salute to the American Songwriter.





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1/11/2023

Another sad day in Rock history.
Jeff Beck took his final bow yesterday.
One of the greatest guitarists of the 1960's
British Invasion. 
I saw him at Anaheim Stadium in 1976
with Aerosmith, Rick Derringer & Starz.
R.I.P


Freeway Jam is one of my favorite Beck songs.
Great bass work by Tal Wilkenfeld. 

1/6/2023

​Never Forget

1/1/2023

Happy New Year!
Here's a wish that each new year is better than the last
and that we are all growing wiser & kinder.
I was told once: "Don't sweat the small stuff". 
I'm going to try to make that my resolution in '23.
Since this is the first day of the first month,
I'm reminded of my song,
ONE. 

12/25/2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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12/17/2022

R.I.P P-22

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Steve Winter-National Geographic

12/16/2022

Well, first of all,
CHRISTMAS 
is coming!
But a couple of other notable happenings over the last month,
I'd also like to mention:
11/30/22
R.I.P to Christine MacVie of Fleetwood Mac. 
11/20/22 
Elton John 
gave his last American performance at L.A's Dodger Stadium.


11/26/2022

It's 
Small Business Saturday 
once again!
Get out there & support the local 
businesses you love!


11/24/2022

​HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11/16/2022

The Artemis Moon Launch
finally happened!


We've lost a number of great people lately I'd like to mention.
First Judy Tenuta on October 6th,
then Gallagher on November 11th,
were two comedians from the 1980's-90's I loved.
Please click on their names to learn more
if you didn't live it.

On November 8th Dan McCafferty of the band,
Nazareth died too. Loved their music back in the 1970's (!)
Saw them in 1978 at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino.
These artists enriched my life experience and
I thank them!
R.I.P
                                   


Changin' Times is a great song with some nice lead guitar,
please click to listen.

11/12/2022

A
Happy Birthday
to
Neil Young! 
One of my favorites.

11/8/2022

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Please do your part to support our Democracy
​and vote for candidates who will respect & defend it.

10/31/2022

Happy ​Halloween!



10/30/2022

I've re-recorded my 20th song
Warning 
You can use the link here,
or go to the Featured tab to listen.

10/28/2022

R.I.P
Jerry Lee Lewis 
An American Original &
Rock-n-Roll pioneer.

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10/22/2022

R.I.P
Tyler
A ​very good boy.

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10/9/2022

Remembering John Lennon ​on his birthday.
He would have been 82 today.
Imagine.

10/4/2022

Today is the 7th anniversary of my website!
Time flies when you're having fun,
but sometimes it seems,
I'm getting nothing done!
I plan on giving it hell as we enter the 8th year.
I still have a lot of things I'd like to add to the site,
so please stay tuned.
I expect to have a new version of an old song out
by the end of the month.
I've been messing around with it since June!
It's more of a rocker than the last few I've done.
Meanwhile...Halloween ​is coming!

9/26/2022

What an awesome job by
NASA & ESA today!
DART hit it's target,
at a distance of over 6 million miles!
Reminds me of this oldie but goody.

9/19/2022

In Honor of the passing of the
QUEEN 
I loved that she had a sense of Humor! 


9/5/2022

Happy Labor Day!
Support hard working Americans
and
​the unions that support them!

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7/7/2022

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Happy Birthday & Peace & Love
to Ringo Starr! 
Big 82 this year. Saw him in 2003 & he put on a great show.
He always assembles an awesome All-Starr Band. 
In '03 he had John Waite from The Babys, & Bad English on bass & vocals.
(Happy Birthday to him, born 7/4/1952)
         Colin Hay from Men at Work on guitar & vocals.
( also a recent B-Day, 6/29/1953 ) 
Paul Carrack too many great bands to list here, on guitar & vocals. 
Sheila E. worked with Prince & many others, on percussion, drums & vocals. 
Mark Rivera of the Billy Joel band on saxophone. 
Glad to have got to see two of the Beatles. 
Both Ringo & Paul still going strong & on tour this summer.
​See them while you can!
 ​




7/4/2022

Happy 4th of July! 
As we commemorate our nations day of freedom & independence,
there is much to reflect upon in our current political climate.
I am saddened the Supreme Court and about half of our
"United" States have chosen to curtail those rights
for some of our citizens.
The ability to have control over one's own body,
to have a say in their own destiny, is personal.
​It's neither the business of bureaucrats nor busy bodies.
Amid the carnage of mass shootings, the court has
relaxed gun safety measures in New York, with
implications for the rest of the country.
The handcuffing of the EPA's ability to combat
Global Warming may seal the worlds fate.
The court is also moving us closer to Theocracy.
There was a time we could trust
those in power to do the right thing for ALL AMERICANS.
Unfortunately partisan power plays are becoming the norm &
the scales of Lady Justice are not in balance.
Her blindfold is gone, for all to see.

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6/18/2022

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Happy Birthday to
Paul McCartney 
80 big ones today!
One of the greatest, if not THE greatest
songwriters of all time.
A modern Mozart or Bach or Beethoven.
Saw him on his 2002 Driving USA tour.
I feel fortunate to have lived in a 
​time of so much talent.
Here he is
joined on stage in New Jersey by Bruce Springsteen & Jon Bon Jovi

5/14/2022
&
​5/24/2022

My heart goes out for the victims of the mass shootings
in Buffalo New York & Uvalde Texas.
31 innocents murdered with assault weapons
meant for the battlefield, but wielded by 18 year old
High School kids in bloody massacres at a grocery store
and Elementary School.
When will the madness end?
I have contributed to Brady, Giffords & March for our Lives. 
Please do what you can. Remember to use your vote to
reward those trying to fix this & punish those
who are not.
It's the only way we will ever see needed change
in so many areas, from gun safety to woman's rights,
voting rights and climate change.
Champions need our support.
Cowards need to go home.
Years ago I wrote a song titled
Headline Story 
about gun violence.
I last posted it in December of 2015 after the slaughter
of 14 County workers in San Bernardino.
​I am working on an updated version for 2022.


5/5/2022

Happy Anniversary!
to my dear wife.

5/1/2022

Since we haven't had much,
in the way of April showers,
here's some cactus flowers.

4/8/2022

A few things going on today.
I have added a new song, Tribulations & a new Earth Day page.
I like to be creative on the day I was created!
In other news, Pink Floyd has a new song for Ukraine 
due out today as does Julian Lennon 
who I share a birthday with.



3/28/2022

Click here for a short tour of my guitar case.

3/25/2022

RIP
Taylor Hawkins
Drummer for the Foo Fighters 
one of my favorite bands.
Here's a cool little song, Sunday Rain, with Taylor singing
& Sir Paul McCartney on drums.
Another gone too soon.
Live each day as if it's your last & give it your best.

2/24/2022

Really saddened to see Russia has
invaded Ukraine
today.
I thought the human race would have
outgrown this mentality by now.
War is the LAST thing the world needs now,
given all our other challenges.
Unfortunately, Putin is an idiot.
A relic from another time that could learn something
​from another relic from our past:
Give Peace A Chance.

2/22/2022


Had to mention today's date.
Won't see this again in our lifetimes.
You can click on Quick Take above
to link to my past notes.
Although there was drama, I really did
enjoy the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
So proud of all the Olympians.
What a testament to the human spirit
​& peaceful competition!
Next up are the Paralympics
running March 4th thru the 13th.
It's amazing what these Parathletes can do.
They deserve our support!


1/6/2022

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Today marks the one year anniversary of the attack on the Capitol.
I'm flying my flag at half staff in remembrance
and to honor those that defended it & our
Democracy.
NEVER FORGET. 

1/1/2022

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy & prosperous '22.


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Prologue

This is a simple acoustic guitar instrumental I found recently.Recorded open air to a portable cassette recorder,flawed but I like it,This is what much of my 
Archive series sounds like.By the way,this picture is of the work shop at the Empire Bowl in Redlands California,where I worked for a few years.
Play
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No rest for the wicked

This one is hard rock with better production & recording equipment,recorded at the pinnacle of my IMPACT phase. Featured on Ground Zero.
Play
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Tangled lives

On this one I tried to get tricky with word-play.I liked the tune,but I didn't get any raves when I shopped it around.Not one of my happier songs,but it helped me through a break up! Featured on IMPACT-Critical Mass.
Play
ALL CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE (C) J. LUCKEN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.ANY USE OF COPY RIGHTED MATERIAL IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION.
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