Receive the Power - Official 2008 World Youth Day Theme Song

Rare clip of Michael Jackson on Sesame Street (MJ in memoriam)

Remembering You, Carroll O'Connor, 10 years later

It was 10 years ago today that Carroll O'Connor, one of my favourite actors, died at the age of 76. I know him best from his TV shows All in the Family, Archie Bunker's Place and In the Heat of the Night.

It was while watching All in the Family reruns in the '80s and '90s that I became one of his fans. I marvel at how a bright and liberal-minded actor could play a loudmouthed bigot like Archie Bunker so well, and make him likeable at the same time. I plan to blog about my favourite All in the Family episodes in the next few days/weeks.

Not only could O'Connor act brilliantly, he was also good at singing, as evidenced by the above clip. All three of his most famous TV series are still shown in Canada.

RIP Carroll, your life and career continue to be remembered and celebrated.

RIP Clarence Clemons, the Big Man in the E Street Band

Clarence Clemons was the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Clemons died yesterday (June 18) of stroke-related complications at age 69. He was my favourite member of the E Street Band.

Here's a clip of his 1986 solo hit with Jackson Browne, "You're a Friend of Mine."

UPDATE 6/20/11: I got to see Clemons perform with Springsteen and the E Street Band at an all-star concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland 16 years ago. I'm so glad I got to see and hear this great musician live.

Thank you for this wonderful memory. You were and are the Big Man. RIP.

From Triumph to Tragedy to Triumph: The Year of the Lion (TPWHL article)

http://tpwhl.pointstreaksites.com/view/TPWHL/news-199/news_27616

From Triumph to Tragedy to Triumph: The Year of the Lion, By Don Barrie

The 2010-11 hockey season came in like a lamb, and out like a lion for the Lions. The team with the smallest roster managed to conquer the season and win the championship. I attribute a lot of my team’s success to healthy camaraderie and sportsmanship, even in the face of adversity.

The Lions wasted no time in winning four of its first five games, with Kirk Ashman and Don Deschamps establishing themselves as the leading goal-scorers. During our first five weeks, we played well enough to make it to first place in the standings.

When one of our forwards decided to leave, however, we gained a dynamite defensive forward in Alicia Palma. The veteran player was important to our success, particularly in her ability to shut down our toughest opponents. Her tenacity and dedication helped us to rise above our disappointments.

Two incidents occurred following this roster change that made us work harder. The first was in January, when Christine Pacheco, one of our defensive forwards, had to stop playing for medical reasons. We understood that her departure would only be temporary.

The second, however, was when Sean Ross, our veteran goalie, died of an infection on February 2. We all mourned his death, and vowed that we would dedicate the rest of the season to him.

In spite of our loss, our devotion to the team became stronger than ever. Now down to seven players, the momentum we had enjoyed at the start of the season slowly built itself back up. We communicated with each other more directly and frequently, which we owe in part to our coach Clayton Thomas. His gritty and motivational coaching helped us to end the season in third place, good enough to ensure us a spot in the playoffs.

On April 16, we faced the Titans as our first playoff challengers. They won the first game 3-1. We managed to win the second game 3-2. Two weeks later, to our surprise and amazement, we knocked the Titans out 5-4, and onto the finals we went!

On May 7, we played our first finals game against the Panthers. During the season they were one of the more difficult teams to beat, considering they finished in first place. We fought hard to win 5-4, and in the presence of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, David Onley.

The following week, on May 14, we defeated the Panthers in a close 3-2. The cup was ours. What a beautiful ending to a roller-coaster season!

We dedicated the championship to Sean, who was always there, in spirit. This is one hockey season I personally will never forget.

The 2010-11 Lions are: Marcel Adarkwa, Kirk Ashman, Don Barrie, Greg Contaxis, Don Deschamps, Lori Edwards, Christine Pacheco, Alicia Palma and Sean Ross.

RIP Wally Boag

Song Blog: "Thank You For Being a Friend"

I first heard Andrew Gold's "Thank You For Being a Friend" during the 1980s when it was used as the theme for the TV sitcom The Golden Girls. The song itself, however, was introduced by Gold in 1978 on his album, All This and Heaven Too. It reached #25 on Billboard, but in my book it is a Number One.

Gold was born in Burbank, California in 1951. His mother is Marni Nixon, and she is well-known as a singer in her own right. Her voice can be heard in some famous movie musicals, and this includes dubbing the singing parts for Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. His father was composer Ernest Gold, who won an Academy Award in 1961 for writing the film score for Exodus.

Andrew Gold's music career began during the 1970s. One of his earliest recordings was performing most of the instruments on Linda Ronstadt's 1974 hit "You're No Good." He has also produced and/or arranged albums for Ronstadt, 10cc, Art Garfunkel and Japanese rock singer Eikichi Yazawa. One of his most recent production credits is the Christmas album by the pop duo America.

Gold's biggest single to date is "Lonely Boy," a #7 pop hit in 1977. However, it is "Thank You For Being a Friend" that has become more popular, thanks in part to The Golden Girls. Gold has contributed to film and TV soundtracks over the years, including the theme song to Mad About You.  

Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011. He was 59 years old.