One of the people I follow on Twitter shared this article* from The Atlantic magazine. In it are many pictures taken during the Battle of Britain in World War II. I have always been interested in this period of history and noticed that I had not seen many of these pictures before. If you rae interested in this, I highly recommend taking a look.
Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, Canada’s official opposition party. passed away this morning at the age of 61. He had stepped down as leader in July to fight his personal battle with cancer and vowed to be back in time for the next parliament in September.
On a national level, he was likely Canada’s most popular political figure. His style was very personable and he seemed to above the fray. He connected with people with his down to earth personality. He projected honesty and stirred a belief that he deeply cared about people, which was reflected in his policies and beliefs. He dragged the NDP from oblivion to its’ current status. He forced them from being the “Left Wing” soldiers to being a viable alternative to Canada’s Liberal Party, the strategy that transformed from perennial 4th or 5th place finishes to second place.
On a personal level, there is not a chance that I could ever vote for him, and in fact, the very idea that he was head of Canada’s government in waiting scared me. This had nothing to do with him, but with his politics. I always enjoyed listening to him. I didn’t agree with 99,9% of what he said, but he said it well. In many respects, I have been one of his and his parties more vocal critics. That , though is the very nature of politics. One speaks out against or for what you or someone else believes. This discourse usually creates consensus and moves our society down the path to the future. Jack Layton definitely tried to move the discussion down his road, and I respected him for that.
Canada has lost a great personality in it’s political rainbow. He will certainly be missed by most everybody. So long Jack.
Rick Rypien was laid to rest on August 20. The funeral was held at Albert Stella Arena in Blairmore, Alberta. Around 1,000 people attended to pay their respects. I add my respect and offer my condolences to the family. Rick was one heck of a hockey player. The prototype Canadian player, hard nosed with a strong commitment to team and winning. It is a tragedy that he suffered from depression and it finally took him from the world. He will be missed. I was looking forward to seeing him in a Winnipeg Jets uniform.
The 80’s, time of hair bands, and one of the more successful bands was Warrant. Singer, front man, Jani Lane passed away on August 11. He was 47. Cause of death is unknown at this time. He was an on and off again member of Warrant, leaving the band for good in 2004. He was most recently appearing as lead singer for Greta White while Jack Russell was recovering from surgery. The video is a live version of “Cherry Pie“, one their bigger hits.
A quick note to mark the passing of Billy Grammer. Not someone that I had ever been into, but one song stands as a classic “Gotta Travel On”. the song was written by Paul Clayton and recorded in Nashville in 1959.  Although basically a one hit wonder, this one hit is a standard, known by most people, and he made a career of it, touring extensively with his band the the Travel On Boys. A historical sidelight. He played at a rally in Laurel, Maryland, followed by US presidential candidate George Wallace speaking to the rally. After speaking, Wallace mingled with the crowd and was shot, and made a paraplegic.
Bubba Smith passed away on Tuesday.  An all-pro defensive end with the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers, Bubba will also be remembered for his role as Hightower in the Police Academy movies and for his series of Miller Lite commercials with Dick Butkus. He won his only Super Bowl with the Colts in 1970. He never wore the ring as he did not believe the performance in the game was anything else but sloppy.
On July 26, Frank Foster, singer, composer, flautist and saxophonist passed away. Frank worked very closely with many Jazz and blues greats, including Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and George Benson. He received a Grammy in 1988 for Best Instrumental Arrangement, Jazz Category. This was for arranging “Basie’s Bag” for George Benson. In 1987 he won his first Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal, 1987. He made a big band arrangement of “Deedles’ Blues” to win this award.
A tough week for music lovers. Dan Peek, member of America during the glory years in the 70’s passed away on July 24th. He wrote, sang lead and backup vocals and guitar with the band. America was one of those bands that you either liked or disliked passionately. Having said that, one cannot deny that they are part of any 70’s soundtrack. Their hits are iconic and will still be played for a very long time. Songs such as “Ventura Highway“, “Horse With No Name“, “Tin Man” and “Sister Golden Hair” are unforgettable.
Dan Peek left the band in 1977 and went on to a productive career as a Christian singer/songwriter. He chose this route as a foil to his years of recreational drug use. In contrast to Amy Winehouse, he was one of the lucky ones, escaping the rocker lifestyle as he did.
A life led tragically. Amy Winehouse joins an elite group of musical superstars who have passed away at 27. This magical list includes, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones and Janis Joplin. All coincidences aside, Amy was a potential icon. When we first discovered her she had just released her second album “Back to Black”. We were stunned and immediately went and got “Frank“, her first disc. Incredible. We did some research and discovered she was being backed up by some great players we already knew, The Dap Kings of Sharon Jones fame, which explained the great sound behind her on several songs. Instant love it was. Fabulous potential in this one. But, as happens so often, the lifestyle caught up with her, and some cannot handle it. It took her away from us several years ago and has now taken her permanently. Say what you want, but I will sorely miss her voice and talent, the rest, not so much.
Other Links
The first is to a blog I follow, the second is to Th Daily Mail which gives some insight on how she died and the third is a link to her last concert where she was booed offstage. The video is one of my favourites by her “In My Bed”
![Cover of "Police Academy [Region 2]"](https://i0.wp.com/ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511E5RH6W0L._SL300_.jpg?resize=254%2C300 "Cover of \"Police Academy [Region 2]\"")
