Good day to ya friend, time for musings on music....otherwise known as Tuesday Musical Notes.....do you hear a marching band playing?
Have you ever heard the phrase "loyal to a fault"? This describes a
person or organization that is faithful to an exceptional degree.
Regardless of the circumstances or past history, this person can be
depended on to be there when needed. If you are a fan of J.R.R.
Tolkien's writings, then you understand that Samwise Gamgee is a
character to which this phrase can be ascribed. In the Bible, the
entire book of Ruth is a similar study of incredible loyalty and
devotion. Do you have people in your life that are "loyal to a fault"?
Praise God if you do!!
The history of popular music is littered with the names of musical acts that were formed by family members or childhood friends. Folks for which you would expect undying loyalty. The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Chicago, and Genesis are all examples of bands that continue to tour with virtually the same lineup they had when they started as friends and classmates at a younger age. While these bands have achieved great success, you can probably think of a myriad of groups that you liked that are no longer together. You would think that these groups would be able to stand the test of time, and the stress of success because of their loyalty to one another. Unfortunately, many times this has not been the case. This surfin' band could be true to their school, but being true to each other was somewhat more difficult. This is vinyl.....
Beach Boys "Be True To Your School"
In 1961, three brothers, (Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson) a cousin (Mike Love) and a family friend (Al Jardine) from California started a band that would transform popular music and provide balance to the British Invasion for a decade. Murry Wilson, Brian, Carl, and Dennis' father, would manage the band until he sold (against the band's wishes) The Beach Boys' publishing company, Sea of Tunes, in 1969. 51 years later, only the cousin, Mike Love, continues to tour in the group. At the peak of their ascendency to American Rock and Roll Royalty, The Beach Boys would begin to see the impact of constant touring and pressure of contractual agreements with record labels begin to unravel a bond of family and friendship that would never be recaptured. The 1970's and 1980's would see The Beach Boys continue to produce albums and gain in popularity among a new generation of listeners. This popularity was nearly ruined as litigation was rampant among the band members against each other. With lawsuits resolved and new music ready to be written and recorded, 1988 saw The Beach Boys inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as have their first #1 hit in 22 years with "Kokomo" from the Coctail soundtrack. In early 2012, The Beach Boys began a 50th Anniversary tour that has been met with great success. Brian Wilson and Mike Love were the only remaining band members to be featured on this tour. Joining them at selected venues was California Saga, a band formed by the children of the Beach Boys which included Brian's daughters Carnie and Wendy Wilson of the band Wilson Phillips. It seems that some bonds can never be broken.
One of the most amazing stories of loyalty is that of Jonathan. He was the son of the Israelite's king Saul. He was heir to the throne, yet he chose to be obedient to God and remain loyal to his best friend....the shepherd boy David. Take a moment and read this incredible story of one who was "loyal to a fault". It is found in the book of 1st Samuel. From chapter 20, here is the ultimate display of Jonathan's loyalty:
Jonathan and David
As we study the life of Jonathan it should cause us pause and reflect about those who are our friends. Are we surrounded by people with character like Jonathan's? Are we worthy of such loyalty? Are we "loyal to a fault"?
As students return to school this season, they will be reinforcing bonds and memories that they make as they walk what will be "cherished" hallways. They will grow relationships that increase their loyalty to each other and to their school. They will be encouraged to learn factual information to make them better mathematicians and writers. They will learn that they can make a difference in the future if they will learn from the mistakes of the past. Almost as important, they will be given a heritage, a connection if you will, to an organization that most will remember with fondness and yes even loyalty. 30 years later......I still do.
"Alma mater, alma mater, may we lift our eyes to thee.
May thy glory and thy honor be fore ere our destiny.
Neath our colors Blue and White, may we united ever fight.
And our memories live forever, in our hearts from day"
or in surfin' language......
"Rah, rah, rah, rah, sis boom bah!!!!!"
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy
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