40 Years Ago, Exxon Knew Global Warming Was Coming

40 . . . years . . . ago.

The bastards knew.

They knew and they continued the systematic contributions to the destruction of our planet and poured millions of dollars into a disinformation campaign that continues to this day.

Is there a Circle of Hell deep enough? I, for one, am not counting on earthly justice. Heck, I’ll wager my former colleagues in the mainstream media won’t even follow up.

I’m going to get a drink now.

Later,

50 Years Ago Today, The Who Break into History

Here’s a live version from Monterey Pop . . .

Later,

Late Night Listening with the Grateful Dead

October 24, 1971 – The Grateful Dead release their live album, “Grateful Dead,” popularly known as the “Skull and Roses album.”

This two-album set came in the middle of a very productive period for the band, when they were hitting on all cylinders and recording much of their best-loved music.

In July 1970, they released “Workingman’s Dead.” That following November, “American Beauty.” In November of ’72, the Grand Tour album, “Europe ’72” came out.

“Grateful Dead” is mostly an album of Americana covers–Merle Haggard, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Kris Kristofferson, Luther Dixon–with the psychedelic anthem, “The Other One,” co-writtein by drummer Bill Kreutzman and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and featuring the famous one-line homage to the Beat Crown Prince Neal Cassidy, “there was cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-never land,” dropped into the mix.

The album also created the Dead Head fan universe with the invitation on the cover:

DEAD FREAKS UNITE: Who are you? Where are you? How are you?
Send us your name and address and we’ll keep you informed.
Dead Heads, P.O. Box 1065, San Rafael, California 94901.

This one cooks. It opens with “Bertha” and ends with “Not Fade Away” segued into “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad,” the latter of which includes perhaps the most famous Garcia solo ever. It was my habit for years, whenever I moved into a new place, to set up the stereo and put this on before I did anything else. I love it when I have the chance to go charging down the road late at night with those last two songs cranked all the way up on the speakers. Enjoy . . .

Furthur . . .

Later,

October 14, 1066

The Battle of Hastings launched the Norman conquest of England. King Harold II (c.1022-66) of England was defeated by the Norman forces of William the Conqueror (c.1028-87). By the end of the bloody, all-day battle, Harold was dead and his forces were destroyed. He was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, as the battle changed the course of history and established the Normans as the rulers of England, which in turn brought about a significant cultural transformation. One of my ancestors, Robert de Beaumont, fought with William’s forces.

Later,

What a Performance! Cropper/Cray/Edmonds Burn “Dock of the Bay”

Love to ya, fellas, and love ya, Otis!

Later,

God Bless Allen Ginsberg

The little postcards circulating in the Bay Area 60 years ago read simply, “Six poets at the Six Gallery. Kenneth Rexroth, M.C. Remarkable collection of angels all gathered at once in the same spot. Wine, music, dancing girls, serious poetry, free satori. Small collection for wine and postcards. Charming event.”

After that night, American literature, and a lot of other things, would never be quite the same.

Later,