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 |
QUICK TAKE
10/31/2023
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.
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
7/31/2023
I have a new version of my song
Live in Peace
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.
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.
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
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
Happy 83rd Birthday
&
Peace & Love
to Sir Richard Starkey.
Better known as Ringo!
Still going strong & touring.
&
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.
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.
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!
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!
Linda McCartney
6/8/2023
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Earthrise Nasa
4/10/2023
4/9/2023
Happy Easter
&
Welcome Spring!
&
Welcome Spring!
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.
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.
Today is
3/23/23!
Won't see that again.
3/23/23!
Won't see that again.
3/17/2023
Hope your St Paddy's Day
is Lucky!
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.
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
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.
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.
2/25/2023
Thanks to Rolling Stone magazine
for the images above.
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.
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
2/9/2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
1/6/2023
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.
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
12/17/2022
R.I.P P-22
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.
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
11/24/2022
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
11/16/2022
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.
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
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.
please click to listen.
11/12/2022
11/8/2022
Please do your part to support our Democracy
and vote for candidates who will respect & defend it.
and vote for candidates who will respect & defend it.
10/31/2022
Happy Halloween!
10/30/2022
10/28/2022
10/22/2022
R.I.P
Tyler
A very good boy.
Tyler
A very good boy.
10/9/2022
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!
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.
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
9/5/2022
7/7/2022
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!
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.
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.
6/18/2022
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
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
&
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.
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
5/1/2022
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
I'm flying my flag at half staff in remembrance
and to honor those that defended it & our
Democracy.
NEVER FORGET.
1/1/2022
PrologueThis 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. |
No rest for the wickedThis one is hard rock with better production & recording equipment,recorded at the pinnacle of my IMPACT phase. Featured on Ground Zero.
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Tangled livesOn 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.
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ALL CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE (C) J. LUCKEN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.ANY USE OF COPY RIGHTED MATERIAL IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION.