by Dell Sweet (Author) The idea had been Mike’s, a well-timed proposal during a particularly grueling quarterly review. “We’re losing it,” he’d declared, his voice cutting through the drone of economic forecasts. “We’re soft. This city… it’s made us soft. We need to remember what it means to be men, to rely on ourselves, not on algorithms and assistants.” The consensus had been swift, almost too swift, as if each man had been waiting for the permission, the justification, to escape. The destination: the Southern Tier of Upstate New York, far from the manicured trails and well-trodden paths of more popular wilderness areas. Mike had painted a picture of untamed forests, pristine lakes, and a silence so profound it would be deafening after the ceaseless roar of the city. #Thriller #Drama #KU #Adventure #Survival
Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a music legend known for his captivating stage presence and timeless hits. Here’s a brief overview of his background and history:
Early Life and Career
Elton John’s musical journey began at age three when he started playing the piano. He attended the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship and later formed a band called Bluesology. In 1967, Elton John met Bernie Taupin after responding to an ad in the New Musical Express. They began writing songs together, starting a lifelong partnership that would produce some of the most iconic hits in music history.
Rise to Fame
Elton John’s breakthrough came with his second album, “Elton John,” released in 1970, which featured the hit single “Your Song.” This was followed by a string of successful albums, including “Tumbleweed Connection,” “Honky Château,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Some of his most notable hits include ² ³:
“Rocket Man”
“Crocodile Rock”
“Tiny Dancer”
“Philadelphia Freedom”
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (with Kiki Dee)
“Candle in the Wind 1997” (rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales)
Biggest Hits
“Candle in the Wind 1997” is Elton John’s biggest hit, selling over 33 million copies worldwide. This song was rewritten in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, and its success marked a significant moment in Elton John’s career.
Collaboration with Bernie Taupin
Elton John and Bernie Taupin continue to work together, despite occasional breaks. They’ve collaborated on numerous projects over the years, including the musical “The Lion King” and the song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” for the biopic “Rocketman.” Their partnership remains one of the most successful songwriting collaborations in music history .
Meeting Ozzy Osbourne
There’s no direct evidence of a significant meeting or collaboration between Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne. However, they may have crossed paths at music industry events or award shows.
Legacy and Philanthropy
Elton John is not only a music icon but also a dedicated philanthropist. He founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over $400 million for HIV/AIDS research and support. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the music industry, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Zombie: Book 3. Mission Zero. The Core of the Zombie Killer crew is forming. They leave New York for good, looking for other survivors, looking for the dead… #Zombie #Apocalyptic #Horror #Kindle #Paperback #Readers #BookLovers
This is an open wheel closed race track you can use for your game. All graphics included. Comes in OBJ, FBX and Direct X. #3dmodels #3dmodeling #racetrack #fbx #directx #obj
This is another closed circuit race track, or open wheel track. This is rendered in Direct X, OBJ and FBX and does include all of the image maps as well in the zipped file. This is the perfect track for your stock car or open wheel game. Any use, commercial or personal.
I just added a new item to my Shop!
This is a closed circuit race track. This is rendered in Direct X, OBJ and FBX and does include all of the image maps as well in the zipped file.
The dead were all around, pulled from their wanderings by the sound of the wreck and the smell of the living. #Zombie #AvidReaders #ApocalypticFiction #Horror #BookLover #Kindle #Amazon
I still feel human: If it made changes to me, they are very small changes… But the dead. Oh, the dead, that is a different story. It did something else to the dead. #Apocalyptic #Readers #Amazon #Kindle #BookLovers #Horror
The United States of America are no more. The people left to fend for themselves with no governments, cites, electricity, grocery stores, medicines… It’s all gone. In face most of the people are gone with it and those that are left are unsure of strangers. Untrusting of anyone. There are rumors of dead coming to life again. There are rumors of some of the larger cities surviving only to be taken over and run by gangs now. Follow a group who come together and then make their way across part of what is left of the country. They are only looking to survive what is left of the world they used to know, but their chances are very slim…
An apocalyptic event has destroyed the world all of us grew up depending on. Police… Order… Governments… Water… Food… All gone…
Formation: Supertramp was formed in London, England in 1969 by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson.
Early Years: The band’s early work was marked by frequent lineup changes and a more experimental, progressive sound.
Breakthrough and Success
Breakthrough Album: Supertramp’s breakthrough album “Crime of the Century” was released in 1975, featuring hits like “School” and “Bloody Well Right”.
Commercial Success: The band achieved significant commercial success with albums like “Breakfast in America” (1979), “Even in the Quietest Moments” (1977), and “Famous Last Words… and More” (1980).
Top Songs:
“The Logical Song”
“Take the Long Way Home”
“Breakfast in America”
“Goodbye Stranger”
“It’s Raining Again”
The “Trip Across the Water” Theme
Inspiration: The song “Take the Long Way Home” features lyrics about taking a trip across the water, but it’s not about a specific geographic location. Instead, it’s more about the emotional journey and the sense of disconnection.
Roger Hodgson’s Perspective: In an interview, Roger Hodgson explained that the song was about “the pain of being on the road and being away from the people you love” and the desire to find a sense of home and connection.
Band Members
Founding Members:
Rick Davies: Keyboards, vocals
Roger Hodgson: Guitar, keyboards, vocals (left in 1983)
Other Notable Members:
John Helliwell: Saxophone, woodwinds
Dougie Thomson: Bass (left in 1988)
Bob Siebenberg: Drums
Interesting Facts
Supertramp’s music often explores themes of alienation, social commentary, and personal relationships.
The band’s name “Supertramp” comes from a book by W.H. Davies, “The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp”, which explores the life of a homeless person in the early 20th century.
Roger Hodgson’s distinctive vocals and songwriting style were a key part of Supertramp’s sound, and his departure from the band in 1983 marked a significant change in their musical direction [1][2].
by Dell Sweet (Author) Format: Kindle Edition To my brothers and sisters on the inside, those whose names I whisper in the quiet hours, those who taught me the brutal calculus of survival: may your scars be badges of your strength, and may your eventual release be a sunrise that washes away the long night. This book is a testament to your resilience, a raw whisper from the belly of the beast. It is for the ones who never made it out, whose lives were extinguished by the system, and whose memories serve as a perpetual warning. #Prison #Crime #Survival #Inside
Formation: Styx was formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1972, emerging from the band “The Tradewinds” in 1961. The original lineup included Dennis DeYoung, James “J.Y.” Young, John “J.C.” Curulewski, and brothers Chuck and John Panozzo.
Name Origin: The band’s name “Styx” was chosen because it was “the only one that none of us hated.”
Rise to Fame
Early Success: Styx gained popularity with their self-titled debut album in 1972 and the hit single “Lady” from the album Styx II in 1973, which reached No. 6 on the US charts.
Commercial Breakthrough: The band’s commercial breakthrough came with the album “The Grand Illusion” in 1977, featuring the hit single “Come Sail Away”. This album reached triple platinum certification and launched Styx into superstardom.
Success in the 80s: Styx continued to enjoy significant success in the early 1980s with albums like “Paradise Theatre” (1981) and “Kilroy Was Here” (1983), which featured hits like “Mr. Roboto” and “Too Much Time on My Hands”.
Band Members
Current Members:
James “J.Y.” Young: Guitarist and vocalist, founding member
Chuck Panozzo: Bassist, founding member
Tommy Shaw: Guitarist and vocalist, joined in 1975
Todd Sucherman: Drummer, joined in 1996
Lawrence Gowan: Keyboardist and vocalist, joined in 1999
Will Evankovich: Guitarist and backing vocalist, joined in 2018
Terry Gowan: Touring bassist, joined in 2024
Former Members:
Dennis DeYoung: Founding member, lead vocalist, and keyboardist (left in 1999)
John “J.C.” Curulewski: Founding member, guitarist (left in 1975)
John Panozzo: Founding member, drummer (died in 1996)
Glen Burtnik: Guitarist and vocalist (joined in 1990, left in 2003)
Ricky Phillips: Bassist (joined in 2003, left in 2024)
Interesting Facts
Styx has sold over 20 million records for A&M between 1975 and 1984.
The band was one of the first to be awarded four consecutive multi-platinum albums.
Styx has had eight songs that hit the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The band has undergone several lineup changes, with Dennis DeYoung and Chuck Panozzo being the only consistent members until DeYoung’s departure in 1999.
