Some Time in New York City

When Elvis died in 1977 a lot of people of my acquaintance were devastated. Some said they felt as though they'd lost a close family member. Not me; I thought they were bonkers. I knew they were bonkers with the resolute certainty of my full 18 years.

Three years and some months later, I knew how they felt. I don't understand, even today, how a person can get so attached to someone they only know from the media, but you can.

The morning of 9 December 1980 was the first time I recall hearing news and knowing that it was a 'where were you when' moment. I was 21 and in my final year at college. My alarm radio woke me up, at just after 7am and the station - Beacon Radio - was playing Beatles songs. It was still half an hour before I had to be down for breakfast, so I lay back and enjoyed it. It was only after I realised that they were playing Beatles song after Beatles song interspersed with Lennon solo material, that I began to wonder. Why nothing by Wings, or George (or even, bless him, Ringo)? And then of course the news came on.

I skipped lectures and spent the day in the bar of the Student's Union with Helen and John. We dressed the Christmas tree for the week's social events culminating with the end of term party. And the radio played Beatles songs.



It's not quite the same as when someone you know or related to dies, but it is odd how much our heroes mean to us. I still don't understand why.

Twenty-five years ago today.

Some Time in New York City

When Elvis died in 1977 a lot of people of my acquaintance were devastated. Some said they felt as though they'd lost a close family member. Not me; I thought they were bonkers. I knew they were bonkers with the resolute certainty of my full 18 years.

Three years and some months later, I knew how they felt. I don't understand, even today, how a person can get so attached to someone they only know from the media, but you can.

The morning of 9 December 1980 was the first time I recall hearing news and knowing that it was a 'where were you when' moment. I was 21 and in my final year at college. My alarm radio woke me up, at just after 7am and the station - Beacon Radio - was playing Beatles songs. It was still half an hour before I had to be down for breakfast, so I lay back and enjoyed it. It was only after I realised that they were playing Beatles song after Beatles song interspersed with Lennon solo material, that I began to wonder. Why nothing by Wings, or George (or even, bless him, Ringo)? And then of course the news came on.

I skipped lectures and spent the day in the bar of the Student's Union with Helen and John. We dressed the Christmas tree for the week's social events culminating with the end of term party. And the radio played Beatles songs.



It's not quite the same as when someone you know or related to dies, but it is odd how much our heroes mean to us. I still don't understand why.

Twenty-five years ago today.

Music Downloads

Now pay attention, chaps.

I know that anyone on my friends list who has an i-Pod stylee MP3 player or similar only copies their own CDs or downloads music from legitimate sites [/irony].

The trouble is that while considerably cheaper than buying CDs and copying them, individual albums are still generally a bit pricey for a full download.

I therefore commend the All of MP3 website to you.

It costs $2.25 (US) to download Kate Bush's new album, Aerial for instance, as opposed to between £7.99 and £9.99 from various other sites. Sadly, I can't check such prices on sites as CONNECT, HMV or Napster at the office as they all require their own proprietary interface applications which won't come through the firewall, but I do know that the UK sites are significantly more expensive.

Music Downloads

Now pay attention, chaps.

I know that anyone on my friends list who has an i-Pod stylee MP3 player or similar only copies their own CDs or downloads music from legitimate sites [/irony].

The trouble is that while considerably cheaper than buying CDs and copying them, individual albums are still generally a bit pricey for a full download.

I therefore commend the All of MP3 website to you.

It costs $2.25 (US) to download Kate Bush's new album, Aerial for instance, as opposed to between £7.99 and £9.99 from various other sites. Sadly, I can't check such prices on sites as CONNECT, HMV or Napster at the office as they all require their own proprietary interface applications which won't come through the firewall, but I do know that the UK sites are significantly more expensive.