The People's Poet Is Dead

Rik Mayall

1958 - 2014

From 1968: Safe In My Garden

In May of 1968, The Mamas and the Papas released their fourth album, The Papas and The Mamas.  

Recorded entirely in the insular setting of John and Michelle Phillips' hillside mansion, the record was a real diversion from earlier Mamas and Papas efforts.  While the harmonies were still lush and beautiful, there is a weariness throughout this album, and the songs reflect it: "Too Late," "Rooms," "Mansions," and this tune, "Safe In My Garden."

John Phillips says in his excellent 1986 autobiography, Papa John, that "Safe In My Garden" was about being let down by fame, about being disenchanted by what one finds when they reach the top of the heap, that "having it all" can mean nothing and everything.  

Phillips said, "In other words, it was about me."

From 1987: Heaven Is A Kiss And A Smile

One of the most haunting records ever made.

On February 27, 1988, Father Figure topped the Billboard charts, staying there for two weeks. It was a track from George Michael's monster LP Faith, which was released in October 1987.

The model in the video is Tania Coleridge.

There isn't a bad track on Faith,
but this one has been my favorite for 25 years.

Songs You Sing To Yourself As You Lie Awake At 4:30am

"Kathy, I'm lost," I said, though I knew she was sleeping
"I'm empty and aching and I don't know why..."

And Speaking Of Sandahl Bergman...

...here she is in what might be the most astonishingly beautiful dance sequence ever committed to film (the only other one that I think I might like more is "Cool," from West Side Story).

This is "Airotica," from 1979's All That Jazz. Now, you're all adults, right? So I don't need to mention to anyone that this very sexy clip has nudity in it, okay?

For those of you who haven't seen All That Jazz, directed by Bob Fosse, watch it as soon as you can get a copy. It's marvelous. Do I really need to rant against The Academy in its failure to give Roy Scheider an Oscar for his heartbreaking, infuriating, and often hilarious portayal of Joe Gideon, a thinly veiled take on Bob Fosse himself?

One more thing: I think Sandahl Bergman has quite literally the perfect body here. Ah, well, she is a fitness expert, after all. But still, those legs! (Life is so damned unfair.)

From 1988: Lea Salonga Auditions For MISS SAIGON

Lea Salonga, 17 years old, auditions with Claude-Michel Schonberg for the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

Not much can be said about this clip, other than to direct you to watch the reactions of the three men standing at the other piano. They are, left to right, Nicholas Hytner, Cameron Mackintosh, and Alain Boublil. And I think you can tell what they were thinking: We've found our Kim.

(If you have the chance to see Miss Saigon, go! It is my favorite musical.)




Do you see Kim's face?

Timeless: Ernie Kovacs' Kitchen Symphony

I especially like the little singing sardines.

From 1982: People Who Don't Pay Their TV Licenses Against The Nazis

Today is that thrilling sort of sunshiney Saturday where we have to run errands: to Sears, to Home Depot, to that place in the mall that sells those yummy pretzels and lemonade...

So you get a bit of lazy blogging today. Watch as Vyvyan eats the telly, Neil gets hassled by the TV License Man, Mike remains cool throughout it all, and Rik is, as usual, a complete bastard.

From the episode "Bomb." You can find the entire eppy on YouTube, FYI.

From 1982: A Clip Full Of Awesome From The Valley Of The Sun

Phoenix, Arizona. random super 8 movies shot by 15 yr old Timothy Ralston. Some starring 9 yr old Andrew Ralston. 5301 E. Fellars Drive, Scottsdale. Circa 1982. Contains: Driving to Phoenix airport from near Paradise Valley Mall. N. 52 St. Lots of Benny Hill type sped up Shenanigans. The song is "Twilight" from the album "Time" by Electric Light Orchestra.

Laura's Note: my favorite YouTube video of all time. Enjoy.

Circa 1981: OK, Kid, You Got The Job

Spielberg auditioned more than 300 children for the roles in 1982's E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. I think it's fairly clear why Henry Thomas was awarded the coveted role of Elliot.

A bit of trivia: listen to the voice of the adult actor who is playing the government agent. Does it sound familiar? It should. It's actor Richard Dreyfuss, a longtime friend of Spielberg's from when they both worked on Jaws together.

From 1988: The Most Fucking Brilliant And Horribly Underrated Band Of All Time

My favorite song from my favorite band ever. Best live band I have ever seen. And a bunch of really incredibly nice guys, to boot.

Fantastic breakup song. Suitable for laying in your bed in the dark, playing this over and over on the tape deck (being brokenhearted took considerably more effort back in the 80s!), smoking Marlboro Reds, and sobbing about How It All Went So Wrong.

From 1988's landmark Green Thoughts LP,
this is "Drown In My Own Tears."