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The Hidden Supernova of Music (Did Christian references keep a rock band from making it big?)
tea party tribune ^ | 7/31/12 | jim funkhouser

Posted on 07/31/2012 12:30:09 PM PDT by HMS Surprise

I have an alter ego in the blogosphere. Here, it’s politics, but on Facebook I blog about popular music, usually leaning heavily towards rock and roll. And until a few days ago I never imagined that there would be any ideological cross-pollination to worry about. But then I had an epiphany…

I’ll start my little tale here- I blog about music to promote a fiction book that I wrote 3 years ago. The book is about a garage band from the early 70′s that was on the cusp of making it big, but then fell just short. I plot an improbable future success for the fictional band decades after they break up and go their seperate ways, and then have some fun as our heros revitalize and reenergize the sad state of contemporary music. Why is this relevant to the dicussion of culture and politics today? Wait for it…

(Excerpt) Read more at teapartytribune.com ...


TOPICS: Activism; Current Events; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: alexchilton; bigstar; music; septembergurls
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If you have heard of Big Star you get an automatic "A" in rock history.
1 posted on 07/31/2012 12:30:17 PM PDT by HMS Surprise
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To: HMS Surprise

How many times were you planning to post this?


2 posted on 07/31/2012 12:36:40 PM PDT by Lucas McCain
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To: HMS Surprise

Alex Chilton was the driving force/ front man /songwriter of the “BOX TOPS”. He’s the guy you hear singing on “The Letter” and their other hits. “BIG STAR” wasn’t his first rodeo. And “Sweet Cream Ladies” doesn’t quite fit with the author’s narrative.


3 posted on 07/31/2012 12:39:07 PM PDT by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: HMS Surprise
you make a convincing pitch, and you sure know how to pepper it with hooks. but the name "Jesus" was all over music in the 60's and 70's. The list of bands that included it would probably be longer than the list of ones that didn't.

Furthermore, the list of excellent acts that got nowhere has to be as endless as a list gets, esp. since it's always growing. It's true in every field.

I think your draw to Big Star was that they were clever and confident promoters, like yourself.

4 posted on 07/31/2012 12:47:50 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (Woe to them...)
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To: the invisib1e hand; HMS Surprise
you make a convincing pitch, and you sure know how to pepper it with hooks. but the name "Jesus" was all over music in the 60's and 70's. The list of bands that included it would probably be longer than the list of ones that didn't

Indeed - so much so, that Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman made a "mockumentory" LP on the subject:

5 posted on 07/31/2012 2:32:26 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2898271/posts?page=119#119)
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To: HMS Surprise

Why would jimfunkyguy write this in his ‘about me’ bio;

Howdy, my name is Jim Funkhouser and I write almost as well as Sarah Palin (verified at 7th grade level).

& why is THAT on the Tribune site?

I smell a rat - oh! and there’s the nice mittens pop-ups there as well.


6 posted on 07/31/2012 3:31:01 PM PDT by spankalib (The downside of liberty is the need to tolerate those who despise it.)
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To: Alex Murphy

I have the CD of this LP. Spirit in the Sky is very nicely done. Although they are mocking the semantic mysticism of those trying to cash in on the religious theme, they treat the music decently. The recording and mixing is great.


7 posted on 07/31/2012 3:39:51 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: HMS Surprise

How about Glass Harp?


8 posted on 07/31/2012 3:41:23 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: HMS Surprise
The Hidden Supernova of Music (Did Christian references keep a rock band from making it big?

More likely it was creative differences between Alex Chilton and Chris Bell.

9 posted on 07/31/2012 3:47:20 PM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: aruanan
I have the CD of this LP. Spirit in the Sky is very nicely done. Although they are mocking the semantic mysticism of those trying to cash in on the religious theme, they treat the music decently. The recording and mixing is great.

My favorite is Larry's cover of Jackson Browne's "Song for Adam". I think it's better than the original.

10 posted on 07/31/2012 4:09:41 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2898271/posts?page=119#119)
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To: Alex Murphy
My favorite is Larry's cover of Jackson Browne's "Song for Adam". I think it's better than the original.

I'll have to look for it when I get home. For some reason, I think that what's on the CD doesn't completely match what's on the LP. And there was something on the CD that indicated the existence of enough material for a second CD. I asked them about this at the Larry Norman website and they said there was a possibility of a future release. I hope so.
11 posted on 07/31/2012 4:14:17 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: HMS Surprise

I’ve heard of Big Star but couldn’t name a song.


12 posted on 07/31/2012 4:15:23 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: Alex Murphy

looks like a cool project. I never got into larry norman, though I acknowledge he seems to have been an innovator in his particular niche, and played the role of iconoclast (as it were) with gusto. And back when I had friends that played his music for me, I thought “Let it Be” was blasphemy, too. But not anymore.


13 posted on 07/31/2012 4:55:21 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (Woe to them...)
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To: aruanan

Larry Norman had a great song called Six O’Clock News:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3IpPbiq_SY


14 posted on 07/31/2012 5:01:30 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: aruanan
How about Glass Harp?

Phil Keaggy. Saw him in 1980.

As for Larry Norman; I bought two tickets to see him and Randy Stonehill but the concert was cancelled due to lack of interest.

Sad but true.

15 posted on 07/31/2012 6:39:47 PM PDT by Tolkien (Grace is the Essence of the Gospel; Gratitude is the Essence of Ethics.)
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To: HMS Surprise
U2 had plenty of Christian references in their music, especially early on.

It didn't keep them from, "making it big."

16 posted on 07/31/2012 6:46:18 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: spankalib

And if you dug a little deeper you would find that I penned at least ten apologetic articles praising Ms. Palin. Your sarcasm meter is set for stunned.


17 posted on 07/31/2012 6:49:12 PM PDT by HMS Surprise (Chris Christie can still go to hell.)
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To: Alex Murphy

His “Spirit in the Sky” was hilarious and strangely compelling at the same time.


18 posted on 07/31/2012 7:33:06 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: Alex Murphy

Yes, the “Song for Adam” was fabulous.


19 posted on 07/31/2012 7:35:29 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: Lucas McCain

Three more times... at least. I need at least as many fans as the Facebook Page for Herpes Simplex.


20 posted on 07/31/2012 7:36:18 PM PDT by HMS Surprise (Chris Christie can still go to hell.)
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