Only The Young

[+ stevenkesslar]

So I had a pleasant journey down memory lane last night, that led me through several YouTube and Wikipedia searches to this post.

 

I have an old VHS copy of Vision Quest, the 1985 coming of age film with Matthew Modine playing a straight horny young wrestler. (Yes, I actually still have a VHS machine.) I loved the film at the time, probably in part because of all the young male eye candy on offer.

 

The song I most recall from the movie was Crazy For You. It was one of Madonna's first hits, and this was the first film she was in (in a bar, on stage, singing the song). But the song that the movie starts and ends with, as its anthem, is "Only The Young" From Journey.

 

So after I watched Vision Quest last night I got on Wikipedia to remind me what year the movie was from, and was touched to read this:

 

The first individual outside the band to hear the song was sixteen-year-old Kenny Sykaluk of Rocky River, Ohio, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. His mother wrote a letter to the band telling them about her son's terminal condition, and how big a fan he was of Journey. The band flew to his hospital bedside in Cleveland, Ohio at the request of the Make a Wish Foundation. Along with a Walkman containing the new track, the band also brought Kenny a football helmet signed by the San Francisco 49ers and an autographed Journey platinum record award. The experience of playing the song for Kenny left Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain deeply affected. Perry said, "As soon as I walked out of the hospital room, I lost it. Nurses had to take me to a room by myself." On the band's episode of VH1's Behind the Music, Cain broke down in tears recalling the event, remarking that "children should not have to live with that kind of pain". Kenny died the next day, with the Walkman still in his hand. The song brought life into perspective for the band and left them humbled.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_the_Young_(Journey_song)

 

That then led me to this very moving two minute YouTube video:

 

 

And this article:

 

 

I just cried for several minutes watching the video and reading the article. Props to the men of Journey for making an unlucky young kid's last day special. Props to the kid's Mom for making it happen.

 

It's a reminder of how lucky all of us reading this are to have survived youth and (for most of us) much of adulthood, and to have been able to live fulfilling lives. Maybe not everything we dreamed of or wished for. But dreams are for the young.

 

And the Only The Young video from the movie, complete with male eye candy:

 

[+ stevenkesslar]

And while we're on the subject of Journey, I have to give them more credit, for being the gift that keeps on giving.

 

As nice as it is to say I feel lucky to have been successful as a whore, and a political activist, and a landlord, I've known for a long time what I want to be in my next life: a singer. Preferably somebody like Judy Garland, without the drugs and divorces. As much as I could talk about how great it is to have perfect sex or dance on a stage or whatever, I've always felt that there's probably nothing better in life than having a voice that can move people, and the words and music to make it so moving.

 

That's partly what I found so touching about the story above. The incredible power of music, singing, and inspiration.

 

But what it also made me think about is the 21st Century incarnation of Journey's epic anthem, Don't Stop Believin'. According to Wikipedia, it is the No. 1 paid digital download song originally released in the 20th century.

 

So here's another totally pleasant trip down memory lane.

 

Thanks Journey, and thanks Glee.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2019 by stevenkesslar

[+ oldNbusted]

Charity Navigator report on Make-A-Wish America

 

A good score for doing good works.

[+ WilliamM]

. Preferably somebody like Judy Garland, without the drugs and divorces

 

There were many times when Judy Garland enjoyed life. But singing alone with an orchestra in a very large arena, may not have been one of those times.

 

Boston Garden 1961

[+ stevenkesslar]

There were many times when Judy Garland enjoyed life. But singing alone with an orchestra in a very large arena, may not have been one of those times.

 

Boston Garden 1961

 

Agreed.

 

Imagine being as successful as Steven Perry, the lead singer for Journey. God knows how many huge arenas he's played. Rolling Stone said he's one of The 100 Best Singers. And yet perhaps the performance he'll never forget is that one to a dying kid in a hospital room. That's the power of music.

 

Although, if we're talking about my Make A Wish, this is a no brainer. I want to come back as two people, at the same time. One will be performing on stage at a cabaret venue with about 100 people, surrounded by hot semi-naked men. And the other will be in bed, fucking and cumming to the score of a lifetime.

 

Oh, and since it's all about my Make A Wish, I also want a dress with a shit load of sequins, and a lover with a juicy uncut 12" cock.

 

 

There. That pretty killed the sweet sentiment of the thread, didn't it.

[+ E.T.Bass]

Agreed.

 

Imagine being as successful as Steven Perry, the lead singer for Journey. God knows how many huge arenas he's played. Rolling Stone said he's one of The 100 Best Singers. And yet perhaps the performance he'll never forget is that one to a dying kid in a hospital room. That's the power of music.

 

Although, if we're talking about my Make A Wish, this is a no brainer. I want to come back as two people, at the same time. One will be performing on stage at a cabaret venue with about 100 people, surrounded by hot semi-naked men. And the other will be in bed, fucking and cumming to the score of a lifetime.

 

Oh, and since it's all about my Make A Wish, I also want a dress with a shit load of sequins, and a lover with a juicy uncut 12" cock.

 

 

There. That pretty killed the sweet sentiment of the thread, didn't it.

 

 

;)

[RealAvalon]

And while we're on the subject of Journey, I have to give them more credit, for being the gift that keeps on giving.

 

As nice as it is to say I feel lucky to have been successful as a whore, and a political activist, and a landlord, I've known for a long time what I want to be in my next life: a singer. Preferably somebody like Judy Garland, without the drugs and divorces. As much as I could talk about how great it is to have perfect sex or dance on a stage or whatever, I've always felt that there's probably nothing better in life than having a voice that can move people, and the words and music to make it so moving.

 

That's partly what I found so touching about the story above. The incredible power of music, singing, and inspiration.

 

But what it also made me think about is the 21st Century incarnation of Journey's epic anthem, Don't Stop Believin'. According to Wikipedia, it is the No. 1 paid digital download song originally released in the 20th century.

 

So here's another totally pleasant trip down memory lane.

 

Thanks Journey, and thanks Glee.

 

 

Mr Kesslar have you signed up for singing lessons? If not, when are you going to. Report back and let us know.

[rvwnsd]

I had never heard that story. Thanks so much for posting it.

 

I always liked Journey and Steve Perry in particular. As a teen, my brother (who is five years younger than me) wanted to buy one of their albums, but my parents were skeptical. After he enlisted my endorsement, my brother got my dad to listen to them on the radio. Dad approved and let my brother buy the album.

 

Don't stop believin' indeed.

[+ WilliamM]

;)

 

Judy Garland mentioned Marlene in an interview with Jack Paar. Judy said Dietrich is not one of our greatest singers.

 

I was watching Jack Paar when Judy said it. Astonishing, even though she was right.

[+ stevenkesslar]

Mr Kesslar have you signed up for singing lessons? If not, when are you going to. Report back and let us know.

 

My singing voice sucks. But I do have other pretty good skills with my mouth, including sucking.

 

The Judy Garland thing will have to be in my next lifetime. This lifetime I just had to make do with sex, and extreme bitchiness.

 

P.S. Forgot to mention. My voice sucks, but like Matthew Modine I have a great sense of smell. Does that count for anything in this life?

 

Edited May 7, 2019 by stevenkesslar

[rvwnsd]

My singing voice sucks. But I do have other pretty good skills with my mouth, including sucking.

 

The Judy Garland thing will have to be in my next lifetime. This lifetime I just had to make do with sex, and extreme bitchiness.

Well, sex and extreme bitchiness we can handle. Excessive alcohol and barbiturates, however...

[samhexum]

The first individual outside the band to hear the song was sixteen-year-old Kenny Sykaluk of Rocky River, Ohio, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. His mother wrote a letter to the band telling them about her son's terminal condition, and how big a fan he was of Journey. The band flew to his hospital bedside in Cleveland, Ohio at the request of the Make a Wish Foundation. Along with a Walkman containing the new track, the band also brought Kenny a football helmet signed by the San Francisco 49ers and an autographed Journey platinum record award. The experience of playing the song for Kenny left Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain deeply affected. Perry said, "As soon as I walked out of the hospital room, I lost it. Nurses had to take me to a room by myself." On the band's episode of VH1's Behind the Music, Cain broke down in tears recalling the event, remarking that "children should not have to live with that kind of pain". Kenny died the next day, with the Walkman still in his hand. The song brought life into perspective for the band and left them humbled.

Charity Navigator report on Make-A-Wish America

 

A good score for doing good works.

 

August Wold pulled on his tiny green No. 19 Athletics jersey, began swinging a Khris Davis bat from both sides while standing in front of his very own locker, then made sure everyone knew something was still missing.

 

"I hope I get to use batting gloves,'' the boy said. "Do I get to keep all this stuff?''

 

Soon, slugger Matt Olson had provided a pair of his gray gloves. No matter they were several sizes too big.

 

All this 8-year-old Little Leaguer wants is to play for the A's. They gave Wold the next closest thing with a mock contract and signing, complete with a press release announcing the deal, in collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 

"I feel good. It was an exciting thing for me, I didn't know this was going to happen,'' Wold said.

 

Wold, who is from the Northern California town of Redding and suffers from a gastrointestinal disorder that has required numerous surgeries, was unofficially added to the roster for Saturday night's game against the Texas Rangers. He visited the clubhouse in uniform, and watched batting practice on the field. He even had his own press conference alongside general manager David Forst the way new players typically do when joining a team. Six members of the A's stood behind him as he answered questions from the media.

 

After a quick reminder from his mother, Julie, that is: "Sit up tall, August.''

 

"This close to the trade deadline, we were excited August Wold was still available, so we have signed August to an A's contract to be a member of our 2019 A's team," before the two signed the contract and shook hands on the podium. Of Wold's strengths, Forst noted the boy's versatility as a catcher and shortstop and, "August clearly loves the game, and we thought he would fit into our lineup pretty well for the last two months of the season.''

 

Wold sat in the dugout next to Liam Hendriks, who said, "Come on in, bro.''

 

"It's hot in here,'' Wold told the pitcher. The boy received fist bumps from other players and walked to the batting cage with Olson. Wold compared haircuts with Matt Chapman and chatted with shortstop Marcus Semien.

 

Wold has been playing baseball for a couple of years and already emerged as one of his team's most reliable hitters.

 

"It's great that he can be with us and see what we do, see what a professional's life is all about, the way we work, practice and are passionate about baseball,'' Semien said. "A lot of us in this room still feel like young kids ourselves. It's our passion for the game, as much fun as we have. Hopefully we can brighten up his day and make him feel better because I'm sure he's not feeling great all the time. For me as a parent, I feel for his parents, too. You never want anything to be wrong with your kids. Any time your kid's sick, you worry. It's just hard.''

 

Later, Wold was set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Along for all the fun and special moments were his parents and five of his six siblings.

 

"You're doing lefty, too? You're switch-hitting on me?'' his father, George Wold said. "How'd you get to be a pro so soon?''

 

Wold has Hirschsprung's disease, a birth defect in which the infant is missing some nerve cells in a part of the bowel. But he wasn't diagnosed until nearly age 7.

 

Wold's health is far better and "he's on the road to recovery, hopefully,'' his dad said.

 

"This is the world,'' George Wold said. "Make-A-Wish is so phenomenal and they're so great at figuring out what a kid wants. This is what he's wanted for so long. He knows all the players, their numbers and everything. This is just so cool. He's been through a lot and being able to come to this has been awesome.''

 

How did manager Bob Melvin plan to use him?

 

"I don't know yet, I haven't gotten the scouting reports yet,'' Melvin said with a grin.

 

 

[+ WilliamM]

I like Marlene Dietrich's version of "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" recorded in Rio.