Wayne Pa Ps - Last Words

“Why Not”

Why not? … Yeah … Beautiful

“Why Not” – Timothy Leary – Bio

Timothy Leary
Influential American Psychologist
Born October 22, 1920 – Died May 31, 1996

“Why Not” – Timothy Leary – Note

In early 1995, Leary discovered he was terminally ill with inoperable prostate cancer.

He did not reveal the condition to the press upon diagnosis, but did so after the death of Jerry Garcia in August.

Leary’s death was videotaped for posterity at his request, capturing his final words.

During his final moments, he said, “Why not?” to his son Zachary.

He uttered the phrase repeatedly, in different intonations, and died soon after.

His last word, according to Zachary Leary, was “beautiful.”

“Why Not” – Timothy Leary – Popular Culture

“The Psychedelic Experience” (Timothy Leary’s book) was the inspiration for John Lennon’s song “Tomorrow Never Knows” on The Beatles’ album “Revolver.”

Leary once recruited John Lennon to write a theme song for his California gubernatorial campaign (which was interrupted by his prison sentence), inspiring Lennon to come up with “Come Together”, based on Leary’s theme and catchphrase for the campaign.

Leary was also present when Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono recorded Give Peace a Chance during one of their bed-ins in Montreal and is mentioned in the lyrics of the song.

The Moody Blues also recorded a track about Leary, Legend of a Mind, on their 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord in which the refrain is “Timothy Leary’s dead. No, no, no, no, He’s outside looking in”.

John B. Whalen, Jr., JD., LL.M., is an AV Peer Review Rated Preeminent 5.0 and Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb (obtaining over 95 client reviews and peer endorsements) premier and prestigious Attorney and Counselor at Law. He is located at 1199 Heyward Road Wayne Pa 19087. He serves all surrounding counties, on all 7 days, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on evenings, weekends, and holidays. He provides free initial consults all seven days, provides home visits, and provides flat fee structures. He can be reached by email at jw60297@me.com, and by telephone at 1-610-407-0220. He has amassed over 60 prestigious and premier professional awards and over 5000 client reviews and endorsements.

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“Hey Hey Johnny”

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“Hey Hey Johnny”

And I’ve been knocking but no one answers
And I’ve been knocking most all the day
Oh and I’ve been calling oh hey hey Johnny
Can’t you come out to play?

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Johnny, can’t you come out to play in your empty garden
Johnny, can’t you come out to play in your empty garden
Johnny, can’t you come out to play in your empty garden

“Hey Hey Johnny” (Elton) – Bio

John Winston Lennon
Born October 9, 1940 – Died December 8, 1980
English Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Member of the Beatles

“Hey Hey Johnny” (Elton) – Wager

In the fall of 1974, John Lennon released his album, “Walls and Bridges.”

During the recording of “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” which features Elton John on harmony vocals and piano, Elton John bet John Lennon that it would top the charts.

Never believing that it would, John Lennon agreed – as such was John Lennon’s scepticism – to perform live with Elton John if it did.

Both the album and the single reached #1 during the week of November 16, 1974.

“Hey Hey Johnny” (Elton) – Show

Having lost the bet to Elton John, John Lennon made a surprise guest appearance at Elton John’s Thanksgiving concert at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974.

This live appearance was to fulfill his promise to join Elton John in a live show if “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” — a song whose commercial potential John Lennon had doubted — reached number one.

Elton John and John Lennon performed Lennon’s current #1 hit (“Whatever Gets You Thru the Night”).

They also performed The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, (which was Elton John’s new single with Lennon on backing vocals).

It was to be John Lennon’s last live performance.

“Hey Hey Johnny” (Elton) – “Empty Garden”

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The song “Empty Garden” was written in the memory of John Lennon.

The “Empty Garden” referred to in the song is “Madison Square Garden,” where Lennon performed a duet with John in 1974.

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The music video for the song features John sitting at a piano with a mock-up of the Dakota building’s drive-up entrance door where Lennon’s murder took place.

“Hey Hey Johnny” (Elton) – Video

Elton John rarely performs the song live.

Elton has said it brings back many painful memories of Lennon’s death, though he does add it to set lists from time to time, often when playing Madison Square Garden.

John B. Whalen, Jr., JD., LL.M., is an AV Peer Review Rated Preeminent 5.0 and Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb premier and prestigious Attorney and Counselor at Law. He is featured on Avvo, Justia, Lawyers, LinkedIn, Martindale, Nolo, and Thumbtack. He has amassed over 70 prestigious professional awards and over 5000 client reviews and endorsements. His main office is located at 1199 Heyward Road, Wayne, PA, 19087, and he serves all surrounding counties, on all 7 days, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on evenings, weekends, and holidays. He can be reached by email at jw60297@me.com, and by telephone at 1-610-407-0220.

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“This Is Better”

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I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better.

Last Words – Pete Ham – Bio

Pete Ham
Born April 27, 1947 – Died April 24, 1975
Welsh Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Founding member of Badfinger.

Last Words – Pete Ham – Note

After Badfinger’s transition from Apple Records to Warner Brothers, Badfinger became embroiled in many internal, financial and managerial problems and their music was stifled.

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By 1975, with no income and the band’s business manager non-communicative, Ham became despondent and he hanged himself in the garage of his Surrey home, three days before his 28th birthday.

At the time of his death his Blood alcohol content was estimated to have been 0.27%.

He was 27 years old. He left behind a pregnant girlfriend (his daughter was born one month after his death).

His suicide note had the statement:

I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better

His suicide note also had an accusatory blast toward Badfinger’s business manager, Stan Polley, with Ham writing:

“P.S. Stan Polley is a soulless bastard
I will take him with me

Last Words – Pete Ham – Apple Records

Apple Records was a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968, as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It founded and produced many notable acts, including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger, and Billy Preston.

The “Come and Get It” was the name of a song composed by Paul McCartney for the 1969 film The Magic Christian, and made popular by the group Badfinger.

Last Words – Pete Ham – 27 Club

The 27 Club is a list consisting mostly of popular musicians, artists, or actors who died at age 27. Although the claim of a “statistical spike” for the death of musicians at that age has been repeatedly disproved by research, it remains a cultural phenomenon, documenting the deaths of celebrities, some noted for their high-risk lifestyles. Names are often put forward for inclusion, but because the club is entirely notional, there is no official membership.

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“I Started A Joke”

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I wish Mo was here, I can’t believe he is gone.

Robin Gibb – Bio

Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE
Born December 22, 1949 – Died May 20, 2012
English Singer, Songwriter, Member of the BeeGees

Last Words – Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb’s last words were a reference to his late fraternal twin brother, Maurice Ernest Gibb, CBE., who died on January 12, 2003.

After a career spanning six decades, Robin Gibb died at the age of 62 from liver and kidney failure. Robin Gibb last performed on stage in February 2012 supporting injured British servicemen and women at a charity concert at the London Palladium.

Last Words – Robin Gibb – BeeGees

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The Bee Gees were a musical group founded in 1958. The group’s line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio, active and successful for over 5 decades, have sold in excess of 200 million records worldwide. At one point in 1978, the Gibb brothers were responsible for writing and/or performing nine of the songs in the Billboard Hot 100.

In all, the Gibbs placed 13 singles onto the Hot 100 in 1978, with 12 making the Top 40. The Gibb brothers are fellows of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).

Last Words – Robin Gibb – Legacy

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At least 2,500 artists have recorded their songs. Their most popular composition is “How Deep Is Your Love”, with 400 versions by other artists in existence.

Among the artists who have covered their songs are Ardijah, Michael Bolton, Boyzone, Eric Clapton, Billy Corgan, Destiny’s Child, Faith No More, Feist, The Flaming Lips, Al Green, Jinusean, Elton John, Tom Jones, Janis Joplin, Lulu, Elvis Presley, Nina Simone, Percy Sledge, Robert Smith, Take That, and John Frusciante (who has covered “How Deep Is Your Love” during Red Hot Chili Peppers concerts).

The band’s music has also been sampled by dozens of hip hop artists.

Last Words – Robin Gibb – Songwriting

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The BeeGees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. The Bee Gees’ Hall of Fame citation says “Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees”.

Songs written by the Gibbs, but largely better known through versions by other artists, include:

“Ain’t Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You” by Teri DeSario
“Buried Treasure” by Kenny Rogers (backing vocals The Gatlin Brothers)
“Chain Reaction” by Diana Ross
“Come on Over” by Olivia Newton-John
“Emotion” by Samantha Sang
“Gilbert Green” by Gerry Marsden
“Grease” by Frankie Valli
“Guilty” and “Woman in Love” by Barbra Streisand
“Heartbreaker” & “All the Love in the World” by Dionne Warwick
“Hold On to My Love” by Jimmy Ruffin
“I Will Be There” by Tina Turner
“If I Can’t Have You” by Yvonne Elliman
“Immortality” by Celine Dion
“Islands In The Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
“Morning of My Life” by Abi and Esther Ofarim
“Only One Woman” by The Marbles
“Rest Your Love on Me” by Conway Twitty
“Sacred Trust” by One True Voice
“Warm Ride” by Graham Bonnet

Al Green’s 1972 non-single cover of the Bee Gees’ massive 1971 North American number one “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” enjoys a certainly critical and popular following, particularly in the UK.

Al Green covered the track on his 1972 album Let’s Stay Together, which also made the soundtrack to 1997’s Good Will Hunting, 1999’s The Virgin Suicides, 1999’s Notting Hill and 2010’s The Book of Eli.

In 2008, Green’s version was remade into a duet with Joss Stone for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Sex and the City, with her vocals overdubbed onto the track.

Last Words – Robin Gibb – “I Started A Joke”

“I Started A Joke” is one of the Bee Gees’ classics with its enigmatic and thought-provoking lyrics. The song is mainly written and sung by Robin Gibb.

“I Started a Joke” is supposedly about someone who has done or said something horribly wrong, which results in feelings of social alienation. Another interpretation is that the song is sung from the point of view of the devil. Prior to performing the song onstage, Barry Gibb remarks that one interpretation of the song is regarding the devil.

According to Robin Gibb, the melancholic melody of the song was inspired by the sounds on board an airplane:

“The melody to this one was heard aboard a British Airways Vickers Viscount about a hundred miles from Essen.

It was one of those old four engine ‘prop’ jobs, that seemed to drone the passenger into a sort of hypnotic trance, only with this it was different.

The droning, after a while, appeared to take the form of a tune, which mysteriously sounded like a church choir.

So it was decided!

We accosted the pilot, forced him to land in the nearest village and there; in a small pub, we finished the lyrics.

Actually, it wasn’t a village, it was the city, and it wasn’t a pub, it was a hotel, and we didn’t force the pilot to land in a field … but why ruin a perfectly good story?”

Robin Gibb told The Mail On Sunday November 1, 2009, that “[t]his is a very spiritual song. The listeners have to interpret it themselves – trying to explain it would detract from the song.”

Last Words – Robin Gibb – “I Started A Joke”

I started a joke, which started the whole world crying, but I didn’t see, oh no, that the joke was on me, oh no.

I started to cry, which started the whole world laughing, oh if I’d only seen that the joke was on me.

… Seems like the joke was on us …

… Thank you, Robin …

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“Van Gogh’s Boat”

Van Gogh’s Boat – Bio

Jean-Michel Basquiat
Born December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988)
American Artist

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“Van Gogh’s Boat” – Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat first achieved notoriety as part of SAMO©, an informal graffiti duo who wrote enigmatic epigrams in the cultural hotbed of the Lower East Side of Manhattan during the late 1970s where the hip hop, post-punk, and street art movements had coalesced. By the 1980s, he was exhibiting his neo-expressionist paintings in galleries and museums internationally.

Basquiat used social commentary in his paintings as a “springboard to deeper truths about the individual”, as well as attacks on power structures and systems of racism, while his poetics were acutely political and direct in their criticism of colonialism and support for class struggle. He died of a heroin overdose at his art studio at age 27.

In 1980, Basquiat met Andy Warhol at a restaurant. Basquiat presented to Warhol samples of his work, and Warhol was stunned by Basquiat’s genius and allure. The two artists later collaborated. When Andy Warhol died on February 22, 1987, Basquiat became increasingly isolated, and his heroin addiction and depression grew more severe.

Despite an attempt at sobriety during a trip to Maui, Hawaii, he died on August 12, 1988, of a heroin overdose at his art studio on Great Jones Street in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.

He was 27 years old. He has now been included in the “27 Club.

Van Gogh’s Boat – David Bowie Sale

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Ten months to the day after his passing, the bulk of David Bowie’s personal art collection – some 400 works in total – went on the block at a three-part auction at Sotheby’s on Nov. 10-11, 2016, fetching a grand total of $41.1 million.

More than $30 million was sold on the first night alone, where well-heeled (and furred) attendees raised paddles against bids submitted around the world via phone and the Web.

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Air Power” was the evening’s — and the auction’s — top seller at $8.8 million, trouncing the pre-auction estimate of $3.3 million to enthusiastic applause

David Bowie Art Auction Fetches $30 Million on First Day. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Air Power,” which David Bowie bought in 1995 for $120,000, sells for $8.8 million at London auction.

Van Gogh’s Boat – Collectors

Notable private collectors of Basquiat’s work include David Bowie, Mera and Donald Rubell, Lars Ulrich,Steven A. Cohen, Laurence Graff, John McEnroe, Madonna, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z and Johnny Depp.

Van Gogh’s Boat – Basquiat Movie

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In 1996, seven years after the artist’s death, a biographical film titled Basquiat was released, directed by Julian Schnabel, with actor Jeffrey Wright playing Basquiat. David Bowie played the part of Andy Warhol.

Schnabel was interviewed during the film’s script development as a personal acquaintance of Basquiat.

Van Gogh’s Boat – Van Gogh’s Ear

Everybody wants to get on the Van Gogh boat

There’s no trip so horrible that someone won’t take it

The idea of the unrecognised genius slaving away in a garret is a deliciously foolish one

We must credit the life of Vincent Van Gogh for really sending this myth into orbit

I mean, how many pictures did he sell, one?

He couldn’t give them away

He has to be the most modern artist, but everybody hated him

He was so ashamed of his life that the rest of our history will be contribution to Van Gogh’s neglect

No one wants to be part of a generation that ignores another Van Gogh

In this town, one is at the mercy of the recognition factor

One’s public appearance is absolute

Part of the artist’s job is to get the work where I will see it

I consider myself a metaphor of the public

I am a public eye – a witness – a critic

When you first see a new picture, you don’t want to miss the boat

You have to be very careful

You might be staring at Van Gogh’s ear

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