Ahhh, When I Found Love!

Man, FRIDAY, AT LAST!!  Yesterday was the birthday of none other than his Purple Majesty "PRINCE Rogers Nelson"!  OoooohhhhhLALA!!!  Yes sir, I am a Prince fan and have been since the late 70's! Prince helped me find LOVE!!! Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958, is a musician, composer, singer, songwriter ....uh calling him an actor is questionable (You know you watched Purple Rain, Under The Cherry Moon, and Graffiti Bridge, LOL!)!  But we over look his bad acting, and his eccentricity, because we ABSOLUTELY LOVE his singing!!
I was working in a group home for people with developmental issues on Farmers Blvd in queens NY. I was about 16-17 and dating a guy named Jake who was a coworker and also in the Army. I thought I was grown and I knew I was in love!!  I actually was NOT in love with Jake, I was in love with the IDEA of being in love! For that I blame Prince!! When the clients went to bed I used to sit in a chair on the fire escape and play this one Prince song over and over on my Sony Walkman.  That song was "ADORE"! And even though I had a boyfriend downstairs who was flirting with all our coworkers, who hated me because I was dating Jake, I wanted to spend time alone with Prince crooning in my ears!  My mind was not on Jake, my mind was a million miles away dreaming of the day when I would find a love who would say to me ...

Until the end of time, I'll be there for you
You own my heart and mind, I TRULY ADORE you.
If God one day struck me blind, Your beauty I'd still see,
Loves to weak to define
Just what you mean to me......

Yep, while I had the boyfriend who was the envy of my coworkers, I was dreaming of something deeper, better, MORE! Happy Old School Friday!
Happy Birthday, Prince!!  Thank you for years of musical enjoyment and for awakening a desire for true love in me!  To learn more about Prince go HERE, and HERE! (I know that Prince absolutely hates YouTube but I will try to post videos anyway and hope I don't get a cease and desist order!)

I had this picture hanging on my wall when I was younger!

Under The Cherry Moon Intro


Diamonds and Pearls - Prince

See all music videos Prince

I Wish You Heaven - Prince


Money Don't Matter Tonight - Prince



Kiss - Prince

See all music videos Prince

Happy Birthday PRINCE!!

Happy Old School Friday!!!
Smooches,
Regina

Old School Friday "RIP Donna Summer"

Happy Friday All!  This is the end of a long work week for some, the end of a tiring week for me, and time to slip into relaxation mode.  Unfortunately yesterday was the passing of a music icon.  Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco sadly succumbed to cancer on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Donna Summer, born LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948- May 17, 2012), received numerous awards such as 5 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, an NAACP Award, and many more.  Donna summer set the 70's disco era on fire with hits like, "Love To Love You Baby", "Hot Stuff", and "Bad Girls".  Her music was part of the soundtrack of my life, so I dedicate today's Old School Friday to Ms Donna Summer!!  Rest In Peace Donna Summer, you will be missed!  To learn more about Donna Summer go HERE, HERE, and HERE.




















Happy Friday All!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Carmen McRae"

Another Friday has arrived and with everything going on in the world... Tsunamis, Wars, Governmental Shut downs, I think I will take a break and PRAY and then listen to some good music!

Today is the birthday of Jazz vocalist and pianist Carmen Mercedes McCrae. Born April 8, 1920 and died November 10, 1994, she was aged 74. This is "REAL DEAL OLD SCHOOL" right here! I know most of you all DO NOT know a thing about this!! Learn more about the LEGENDARY Carmen McRae right HERE!

The Very Thought Of You - Carmen McRae


When I Fall In Love - Carmen McRae


What A Little Moonlight Can Do - Carmen McRae


RIP, Carmen McRae!

OOOOO, WEEEEEEE! Know Your History!
That ...Was ... HOT!!!!!

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Gil Scott Heron"

Oooo, Yeaaaaa!!! Today is Friday!! Thanking God for my very life!...and for the Beautiful weather! LOL! So for Old School Friday, I am paying homage to Gil Scott Heron who is 62 years old today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIL SCOTT HERON!!! Mr. Heron is an African American Poet, Author, and Musician. He often spoke, wrote and sang about the struggles of African Americans in America. His works are often controversial but always VALID! When I think of spoken word performances I always think of Gill Scott Heron first. I grew up listening to his music and still listen today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILL SCOTT HERON!!! Continue your fight!

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron


The Bottle - Gil Scott Heron


I cannot post Gil Scott Heron without posting this next song... It used to make me cry all the time. It doesn't make me cry anymore but my throat does constrict and eyes still get a little moist, but it does make me pause and think of my dad...(RIP Samuel Thomas Spencer, I Love you daddy...)
Your Daddy Loves You - Gil Scott Heron


Today is also the day that Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father (Still SMH over that one...) and since tomorrow is Marvin Gaye's birthday I am giving him an honorary mention.
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye


Happy Old School Friday All!
Love on Someone today!

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin"

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!
If you are reading this blogpost then God has obviously saw fit to give you another day of life so MAKE THE BEST OF IT! The weekend is upon us and today's Old School Friday is a birthday tribute to Aretha Franklin! (I must admit, I am NOT that big of a fan, and never really understood or cared for the self-proclaimed King and Queen status, but WHATEVER!!) Though I am not that much of a fan there are some songs that her vocals are Beautiful and Classic on! So enjoy the selections! Happy Birthday Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942)!

Sparkle - Aretha Franklin (THIS is my FAVORITE Aretha cut, I wore this album out!)


Until You Come Back To Me - Aretha Franklin


Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin


A Rose Is Still A Rose - Aretha Franklin


Happy Old School Friday!
Tell someone you love them today because tomorrow is NOT promised to us!

Peace & Love!

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Miriam Makeba"

In memory of Miriam Makeba today's Old School Friday is dedicated to her. Please, Please, Please, yell me you know who she was. If not you can learn more about her HERE, HERE and HERE. GET INFORMED, THIS IS OUR HISTORY PEOPLE!!

QUICK FACTS:
Zenzile Miriam Makeba (also known as Mother or Mama Africa)
Born on 4 March 1932 in Johannesburg, South Africa
She was a South African singer and Political Civil Rights Activist
She was exiled for activist activities and for speaking out against Apartheid
In 1966 won a Grammy for Best Folk Recording
Was married to musician Hugh Masekela, and was also married to Black Panther Stokely Carmichael.
Died 10 November 2008

The history of Miriam Makeba HERE.

I have been a fan for years because my mother was a lover of music and of Black History!
Please enjoy!!

Pata Pata


Mbube (this sound familiar to you? LOL)


RIP Mama Africa! Gone but NOT at all forgotten!

Stormy Weather & Trouble Man's Marvin Gaye

Happy Friday All!
It is a rainy and dreary day here in Texas. The weather mirrors my mood musically today. My music mood is dark and stormy today. Today is the birthday of one my favorite musical artist, Mr. Marvin Gay"e" (He added the "e" to his name in his teen years). Being a lover of Old School Music means not just loving the music but understanding the artists of those times. For the black community the 60's & 70's were troubling times politically, racially and economically but one of the few places where black people excelled was musically. The 60's & 70's brought forth some of the BEST musical artists and hits of not only that time but for ALL time.
Marvin Gaye was one of those UNFORGETTABLE artists. He was an African - American singer, songwriter with a 3 octave vocal range! Unfortunately Marvin Gaye Jr was fatally shot by his father Marvin Gay Sr on April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th Birthday. Marvin had a voice that oozed sexuality and sensuality as evident in musical hits like "Come Get To This" & "Lets Get It On". He also lent his voice to the ongoing struggle of black people of that era as evident in hits like "Mercy, Mercy Me" & "Inner City Blues". But his voice was also an outlet that was more personal. Music was his escape from a troubling, hurtful and hateful life as evident in hits like "If I Should Die Tonight", "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" & "Here My Dear". Marvin Gaye was a product of child abuse, Religious Zealousness, and hatred from his father.
According to trutv.com:

"Living with father was something like living with a king, a very peculiar, changeable, cruel and all-powerful king," Marvin Gaye told biographer Ritz. "You were supposed to tip-toe around his moods. You were supposed to do anything to win his favor. I never did. Even though winning his love was the ultimate goal of my childhood, I defied him. I hated his attitude... If it wasn't for mother, who was always there to console me and praise my singing, I think I would have been one of those child suicides you read about in the papers."
Marvin Gaye had the love of his mother but his father and he had a terrible, volatile and hateful relationship.

According to Alberta Gay (mother of Marvin jr.) & Jeanne Gay (sister of Marvin jr) (via trutv.com):

Alberta Gay said, "My husband never wanted Marvin, and he never liked him. He used to say that he didn't think he was really his child. I told him that was nonsense. He knew Marvin was his. But for some reason he didn't love Marvin and, what worse, he didn't want me to love Marvin either. Marvin wasn't very old before he understood that."

Jeanne Gay said, "From the time he was 7 until he became a teenager, Marvin's life at home consisted of a series of brutal whippings."

His personal demons were further metastasized by drug addiction, porn addiction and paranoia. This formed Marvin Gaye into the troubled soul that we knew and loved. I just finished reading "the Life and Tragic Death of Motown's Marvin Gaye" on trutv.com. I had read most of this story before but it was still a very interesting read. Marvin Gaye is on my phone, mp3 and computer play-list and nothing that I read about his personal life and trials will change that. He would have been 71 years old today had he lived. He was indeed a very troubled soul, a prolific and very talented artist. He is sorely missed...

Rest In Peace, Marvin Pentz Gay Jr (Marvin Gaye) April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984

Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye

Come Get To This - Marvin Gaye

If I Should Die Tonight - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye Jr & Marvin Gay Sr - Interview

Still Missed Today...