I can't think of Dale Hawkins without thinking of James Burton who played the guitar on the record.

Burton was the first, I think, to use ultra light strings and used banjo strings in place of guitar strings on some of the 6.

He then played on most of Rick Nelson's early hits. He was at home in both rockabilly and country and was quite influential.

Burton had a long career and played with many big names including Elvis.

I'm scared to listen to much of it. I lasted long enough to make sure.

rays of my foot. It's still broken, TG I am not a radiologist, shadows are 2 or more fractures. Horrible winter weather, sideways snow and wind. And awful roads. I made it home with vodka. And have learned how to power an automatic up my driveway. 2 year learning curve. So there may be a torn ligament in my foot. Now need a MRI. If it's torn, surgical pin. And I am already Ti-sensitive, due for undo surgery on my arm when weather permits. Wearing das Boot. Clunking up and down stairs.

I thought it was one of the more amazing lead singer replacements for a major rock band (even if it was just for one album, and of one of my favorite singers, Jon Anderson). The closeness in range and similarity in voice was uncanny. For Yes in 1980, with new wave and punk breathing hard down their back, "Drama" was an amazing follow-up to 1978's "Tormato," which was their first foray away from the really long prog rock pieces they were known for.

To even think of replacing the unique and highly identifiable lead singer of Yes had to have been seen by those close to them as a very risky move. But they did and though hardcore fans were initially jarred by the decision, Trevor Horn brought a freshness for that one album that seemed to be just what they needed at that time (when Anderson re-joined, with Trevor Rabin replacing Steve Howe this time, they received their first really big commercial success since in over a decade with 1983's "90125."

Just prior to Horn and keyboardist Geoff Downes joining Yes, their band the Buggles had had an international hit with the song you began your OT with, "Video Killed the Radio Star," which many know was the first video MTV played when they launched in 1981.

So much to say about radio, really, especially as we talk about our love of music and how it developed therein. It's bizarre to think there is a whole new generation right now that doesn't even listen to radio anymore and the overall diminished cultural import of it.

Then there's the whole history of it, the argument over who deserves the credit for bringing it into the modern age, Marconi vs. Tesla, etc. Tesla is such an enormous visionary force in science, and it's great to see a resurgence of support and appreciation for him of late.

Back to year Drama came out, and Rush was about to explode onto the airwaves in a way they hadn't before with "Permanent Waves." The album's first single was an ode to the airwaves:

"The Spirit of Radio"

Begin the day
With a friendly voice
A companion, unobtrusive
Plays that song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood

Off on your way
Hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers
For the spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact
In your happy solitude

Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae
Bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price
Almost free

All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question
Of your honesty, yeah, your honesty

One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity, yeah

Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle
With the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price
Almost free

"For the words of the profits
Were written on the subway wall..."
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds, of salesmen, of salesmen, of salesmen.

Thanks for the OT, EL.

Somehow, I completely missed (or forgot!) the fact that the original central tower collapsed. Fantastic building, and incredible history. To see the statues that Cromwell had bashed the faces* on was surreal.

* so I was told, anyway. Looks like that might not have been the case.