November 20, 2025

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The Mamas & the Papas M-P-001

The Mamas & the Papas

wendellsweet7 November 19, 2025 0

The Mamas & the Papas were an iconic folk rock band from the 1960s, known for their harmonious vocals and hits like “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday”. The original members were John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot 

Band Members and Their Children:

  • John Phillips (1935-2001) had a daughter, Chynna Phillips, with Michelle Phillips, who is a member of Wilson Phillips. He also had a daughter, Mackenzie Phillips, who wrote about her tumultuous relationship with her father in her memoir.
  • Michelle Phillips (born 1944) has three children: Chynna Phillips, Austin Hines, and adopted son Aron Wilson.
  • Denny Doherty (1940-2007) didn’t have any children with his bandmates, but he was known for his close relationships with his bandmates.
  • Cass Elliot (1941-1974) had a daughter, Owen Vanessa Elliot, born in 1967.

The Mamas & the Papas were a legendary band with some amazing hits. Here are some of their biggest ones:

  • “California Dreamin'” (1965)
  • “Monday, Monday” (1966)
  • “Dedicated to the One I Love” (1966)
  • “I Saw Her Again” (1966)
  • “Creeque Alley” (1967)

Sadly, Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, passed away on July 29, 1974, at the age of 32, due to heart failure. She was found dead in her apartment in London. The coroner’s report concluded that she died from a heart attack, likely caused by an undiagnosed heart condition.

Cass was known for her powerful voice, charming stage presence, and larger-than-life personality. Her death was a shock to fans and the music world. She’s buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

The Mamas & the Papas’ band dynamic was a wild ride of creativity, romance, and drama. Formed in 1965, the group consisted of John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot. John, the primary songwriter and leader, had a vision for a unique folk-pop sound, but his controlling nature often fueled tension within the group.

Romantic Entanglements:

  • Michelle Phillips, John’s wife, had an affair with Denny Doherty, causing strain in the band.
  • John Phillips had a tumultuous relationship with his daughter, Mackenzie, who later wrote about it in her memoir.
  • Cass Elliot’s powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence made her a fan favorite, but she faced initial resistance from John due to her weight and appearance

Creative Partnership:

  • The band’s harmony was built on John’s songwriting and arrangement skills.
  • Their music reflected the free-spirited nature of the 1960s, with hits like “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday”.
  • Despite their personal struggles, they produced six Top 10 hits between 1965 and 1967

Downfall:

  • The band’s personal conflicts, substance abuse, and creative differences led to their breakup in 1968.
  • Cass Elliot pursued a solo career, releasing “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in 1968.
  • The group’s legacy lives on, with inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame

Surviving Members:

  • Michelle Phillips is the last surviving original member of the band, still active in music and acting.
  • Jill Gibson, who briefly replaced Michelle Phillips in 1966, is also alive.

home: https://www.wendellsweet.com

Dire Straits Dire-Straits-03

Dire Straits

wendellsweet7 October 30, 2025 0

Dire Straits Overview

  • Formation: Dire Straits was formed in London, England in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and guitar), his brother David Knopfler (guitar and keyboards), John Illsley (bass guitar), and Pick Withers (drums).
  • Band Members:
  • Mark Knopfler: Lead vocals, guitar, songwriter
  • David Knopfler: Guitar, keyboards (left in 1980)
  • John Illsley: Bass guitar
  • Pick Withers: Drums (left in 1982)
  • Other notable members:
  • Hal Lindes: Guitar (joined in 1980)
  • Alan Clark: Keyboards (joined in 1980)
  • Terry Williams: Drums (joined in 1982)

The Guitar Story

  • Mark Knopfler’s Guitar: Mark Knopfler did indeed build a guitar from a wooden plank, but it’s not entirely clear if it was a bedpost. The guitar was a Telecaster-style body made from a piece of wood from a local carpenter’s workshop.

Mark Knopfler’s Style

  • Influences: Mark Knopfler’s playing style was influenced by various artists, including:
  • Country and blues musicians: Chet Atkins, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton
  • Rock and folk musicians: Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, and The Beatles
  • Learning to Play: Mark Knopfler learned to play guitar at a young age, and his unique fingerpicking style developed over time through practice and experimentation.

Top Songs

  • Some of Dire Straits’ most popular songs:
  • “Sultans of Swing”
  • “Money for Nothing” (feat. Sting)
  • “Romeo and Juliet”
  • “Private Investigations”
  • “Brothers in Arms”
  • “Walk of Life”

David Knopfler’s Departure

  • Creative Differences: David Knopfler left the band in 1980 due to creative differences and personal tensions. He went on to pursue a solo career.

Biggest Hit

  • “Brothers in Arms”: Released in 1985, “Brothers in Arms” was a massive hit and one of the band’s most iconic songs. The song’s themes of war and loss resonated with audiences worldwide.

Legacy

  • Dire Straits has sold over 120 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • The band’s music often explores themes of love, relationships, and social commentary, with Mark Knopfler’s distinctive vocals and guitar work being a key part of their sound.

Home: https://www.wendellsweet.com

Supertramp SuperTramp-03

Supertramp

wendellsweet7 October 25, 2025 0

Supertramp Overview

  • 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].

Home: https://www.wendellsweet.com

Letter Home – Self Penned reverse

Letter Home – Self Penned

wendellsweet7 October 10, 2025 0

Lyrics Copyright © Wendell G. Sweet 2011 ♪ ♫ ♪ Date Written; 11-18-2011
Song Title: Letter Home. Style: Alt

Copyright Wendell Sweet Administered via BMI

Verse 1

Put my pen to the page… I don’t often get the time… Builds such guilt inside… But I know you remain mine… And I know it hurts you too… Everyday… But there’s nothing we can do.



Instrumental……………………………….Transitional Lead……………………



Verse 2

I’m so lonely here… Been so long since I’ve seen your face…Time keeps marching on… Seems no end to this place… But if I close my eyes… I can see you clearly… And dream you’re near me.



Instrumental……………………………….Short lead Lead……………………



Verse 3

Morning comes… I could swear I feel you next to me… But as I shake off the sleep… It’s clear to see… I am all alone… Same as so many days in a row… No… This is not home…



Hook

Rub the sleep from my… tired eyes… My face is set but my heart cries…

My thoughts try to hold me but I push them away…

Watch the sunrise in this place… Struggle with the words I want to say…



Instrumental……………………………….Short lead Lead……………………



Verse 4

I don’t miss you anymore… It’s just a never ending need… I can hold back my tears… But my heart will bleed…Gets the best of me… I confess… Sometimes there is no best.



Instrumental………………………………. Long Lead……………………



Bridge

I hear life calling, but it’s so far away… Feels I am walking on the edge of a blade… And the day’s moving on… Morning’s nearly gone…



Instrumental……………………………….Lead wind down to last verse ……………………



Verse 5

I’ll say goodbye… You know my heart is always with you… You know I love you… Those are the only words I know are true…You are always with me… I’m coming home… I just don’t know when that might be…



Hook

I push the tears from my eyes… I set my face but my heart still cries…

My thoughts try to hold me but I… push them away…

Watch the sunrise… in this place… Start my day…

Watch the sunrise… in this place… Start my day…



(Slows to single acoustic stops at home)



Send this letter home to you… Send this letter home…

Home: https://www.wendellsweet.com

AI & You off-road-ute

AI & You

wendellsweet7 October 8, 2025 0

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy. It’s a multidisciplinary field that studies how to optimize AI’s beneficial impact while reducing risks and adverse outcomes ¹.

What is AI?

AI systems work by merging large datasets with intelligent, iterative processing algorithms. This combination allows AI to learn from patterns and features in the analyzed data. AI can automate routine, repetitive, and often tedious tasks, including digital tasks like data collection and physical tasks like warehouse stock-picking and manufacturing processes.

Types of AI

There are several types of AI, including:

  • Narrow AI (Weak AI): Designed to perform a specific task or a narrow set of tasks, such as voice assistants or recommendation systems.
  • General AI (Strong AI): Possesses human-level intelligence or even surpasses human intelligence across a wide range of tasks.
  • Superintelligent AI: A hypothetical form of AI that would surpass human intelligence in all areas.
  • Reactive Machines: AI systems that only react to specific tasks without storing past experiences.
  • Limited Memory: AI systems that can use past data to improve future decisions.

Applications of AI

AI has a wide range of applications across various industries and domains, including:

  • Healthcare: Disease diagnosis, medical imaging analysis, drug discovery, personalized medicine, and patient monitoring.
  • Finance: Fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and personalized financial advice.
  • Retail: Personalized recommendations, customer service, and inventory management.
  • Transportation: Autonomous vehicles, traffic management, and predictive maintenance.
  • Education: Personalized learning experiences, automated grading, and virtual tutoring.
  • Manufacturing: Predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain management.

Future of AI

The future of AI holds much promise, with potential advancements in areas like:

  • Agentic AI: AI systems that can act independently and purposefully, making decisions and taking actions without human intervention.
  • Generative AI: AI systems that can create new content, such as text, images, music, or video.
  • Robotics: AI-powered robots that can perform tasks autonomously, revolutionizing industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.

Challenges and Risks

While AI offers many benefits, it also poses challenges and risks, including:

  • Data risks: AI systems rely on large datasets, which can be vulnerable to data poisoning, tampering, and breaches.
  • Bias and fairness: AI systems can perpetuate biases and discrimination if not designed and trained carefully.
  • Job displacement: AI may automate certain jobs, potentially displacing workers.

Investment and Adoption

Governments and companies are investing heavily in AI research and development, with the European Union committing $1.1 billion to boost AI adoption in key industries like healthcare, energy, and manufacturing ⁶. The global AI market is expected to grow significantly, with AI projected to add up to $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually.

My AI Facebook page: Examples: AI & You | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1104182515031030

More of my AI on my YouTube Channel: AI – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDfSOZ3Bp4T3YZb05Pa80gQZTf12g-VB_

Home: https://www.wendellsweet.com

The Re Do re-do-ad-01

The Re Do

wendellsweet7 September 11, 2025 0

The Re Do

by W. G. Sweet

  The nightmare would begin insidiously, with the faintest whisper of a sound, a familiar vibration that would build, slowly at first, then with terrifying speed. It was the hum of the engine, the low thrum of the car carrying them towards an unseen precipice. He would feel the familiar press of the seat beneath him, the faint scent of Ann’s perfume, a scent that would soon be overwhelmed by the acrid stench of burnt rubber and fear. Then, the unmistakable sound, the prelude to chaos: the high-pitched shriek of tires desperately seeking purchase on asphalt, a sound that ripped through the fabric of the night and into the very marrow of his bones… #Horror #Thriller #Romance #Readers #Kobo #WGSweet

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-re-do?

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