Death & Other Fun Topics

• A lot was said this week about the death of Dick Clark, and rightfully so.  The man accomplished much in his career, and was a seminal figure in the world of rock and roll without ever picking up an instrument.  One guy who did pick up an instrument (or several) was one of the co-founders of The Band, Levon Helm.  While Levon wasn't exactly the most pleasant person to look at, and while his voice wasn't exactly "dulcet," he was a pioneer in the world of rock.  Without The Band, the concept of Southern Rock would've had to wait a while, as he and his band mates basically introduced the concept to the world with such classics as "The Weight," "Up On Cripple Creek," and "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down."  While Robbie Robertson may have written these songs, and all the others that The Band performed in their career -except for a couple of early songs co-written with Bob Dylan- Levon Helm was the undeniable force behind one of the seminal bands in rock history.  Many folks forget that when Dylan was making his transition from acoustic to electric guitar compositions in the mid 60s, The Band was, well, his band.  It would be after they parted ways that the Southern Rock style would start.  And when you think about it, it's quite ironic.  Sure, Helm was from Arkansas, but Robertson, Garth Hudson, the late Rick Danko and the late Richard Manuel weren't from the south at all.  They weren't even from America.  They are/were Canadian.  But nobody cared about that.  Once Helm's southern drawl took over, and Robertson's writing style veered towards a more southern sound, it didn't matter that not everyone was from below the Mason-Dixon line.  All that mattered was that they were forging a new style of music in a then-still-growing medium called Rock and Roll.  I'd have to say that bands like Lynyrd Skynrd, The Allman Brothers and even the Black Crowes never happen without The Band.  While Helm's name may not been at the forefront of everyone's mind when it came to the history of Rock and Roll, he certainly had a hand in writing said history.
• Can we just admit that the Cubs season has as much chance at being a success as The Band has at having a full reunion tour this year?  Yes, I realize we're calling this a rebuilding year.  Yes, I realize Rome wasn't built in a day.  But as a lifelong fan, I'm sick of hearing "rebuilding."  You can't rebuild what was never properly built in the first place.  I'm kind of done with having patience and waiting for next year.  No, I didn't expect miracles, but I also didn't expect a complete bed-crapping to start the season either.  Six straight losses, and only a half-game above having the worst record in the National League doesn't make me excited for this season, it makes me suspect for what's to come.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.  Well, they didn't make any good trades, they didn't make any good off-season signings, and now we're still expected to believe that this train is on the right track and isn't going to careen off said track killing hundreds.  I, for one, can't do that anymore.  No, I'm not saying I'm giving up being a fan, and believe me when I tell you that I hope they prove me wrong.  But I think it's time to stop drinking the Kool Aid.  And I don't just mean me, I mean everyone.  More people (than the last 2 seasons) have to stop buying tickets to go to games for "the experience."  When we hit the organization in the wallet, and make them realize that we're going Twisted Sister on them ("We're Not Gonna Take It"), perhaps that rebuilding process will hit a record pace.  If the Cubs still have massive attendance and people are still pouring money into their coffers, it'll be more like Talking Heads' "Once In A Lifetime" lyrics (same as it ever was) instead of truly BEING a once in a lifetime experience.  And, seriously, I'm not asking for a dynasty.  I'm not greedy.  My grandfather died without a World Series win, as did my father.  Is it wrong to not want to be a third generation to go without?  I didn't think so.

Okay, two topics today is enough.  Unfortunately, the next time we meet, I'll probably be blogging about the death of one of the nicest celebrities I've ever met, Robin Gibb.  But, until then, let's keep things positive, even though I just spent an entire paragraph being negative.