Thanksgiving 1988 - Eric Clapton

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Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family. I spent Thanksgiving 1988 in a Denny's with Deniz Kose. For the both of us, this was the last Thanksgiving before we became part of new families. I was having a long distance relationship with a beautiful doctor in her mid 20's from Costa Rica. In December 1988, she came to live with me in Florida; then Deyanira and I got married 4 months later in April 1989 on the exact day, coincidentally, that Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart. We are still married today 19 years later and we have two beautiful children (Kenny and Candice).

Deniz at the time was dating Stacy who was a couple of years younger. After dating a short time, the relationship started to have problems; and they split up for a few weeks. Deniz, Stacy and me were all good friends; and I could tell at the time that they really loved each other. After a little coaxing, they got back together. The next year they had a beautiful baby girl, Heather. Following the birth of the baby, Deniz and Stacy's relationship lasted only for a short time; however this beautiful baby girl has been an important part of both their lives all the years to follow.

I will always remember that Thanksgiving 1988 is when Deniz' and my life would change forever, which will always leave the four of us connected. The first photo on this blog you can see a picture of Deniz and Stacy with Deya and me in 1988.

In keeping with the music connection to this post, I added a video from one of the best concerts in 1988 "The Prince's Trust Rock Concert" at Royal Albert Hall. Please see this excellent video of Eric Clapton playing his infamous song "Layla" to a live royal audience . In addition to the video, see the lyrics below:

Lyrics "Layla" Eric Clapton
What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.

Chorus

Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.

Chorus

Chorus

Layla - Eric Clapton - The Prince's Trust Concert - 1988

Red Rum - Conquerin Man - Lyrics

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I lived 6 months in southern California then I moved to Florida. More specifically I lived in the town of Palmdale before it was built up. The year was 1986 and you could see desert all around. There were Joshua trees off to the side in the desert when you drove the lonely road between Palmdale and Lancaster. Joshua trees originally came from Israel. I used to have a big poster of U2's album "The Joshua Treee" hanging on the living room wall in my apartment. This poster was the exact image of this place. During my short time living there; I did quite a bit of writing. I wrote a book on roulette; and I also filled a notebook full of lyrics. I had a small keyboard with me; but I didn't put any original music to the lyrics. I played songs on the keyboard to get me in the frame of mind to write. The songs I wrote were not about real experiences; but an account of my emotional state of being.

It was now 1987 in Miami Springs, Florida where I showed Deniz my notebook of lyrics. Deniz liked one of the songs called "Conquerin Man". Deniz introduced me to his friend Mark (Mark Funk); he was 18 and played guitar. Mark came from an average middle class family. We drove to Mark's home where he lived with his parents. In the garage, Mark took out his guitar; and said, "Kenny I have a perfect riff to your lyrics". Mark played it for us; instantly Deniz and I thought it sounded great.

We now had to put a band together. Mark knew a drummer also named Kenny. He also had a friend Rich who played bass guitar. Kenny kept a steady beat and was fast on the drums. Rich was just a natural bass player; and Deniz was the lead singer. I will expand on each member of the band in a future blog entry. Deniz already had a name picked out for the band long before it ever existed. The band was to be called "Red Rum". For the purpose of staying on point of the story, I won't get into the origins of the band's name for now.

The band rehearsed the song several times and then was ready to go into the studio to record. We all chipped in to pay for the recording. Deniz cut up my lyrics "shortened" to fit the music; see the final lyrics below. The engineer in the studio recommended we do a track where all of us would sing the chorus together. We stood around a big black boon Mike and sang the track. Mark then overlaid a track with a guitar solo. In the last verse, we added a sound effect of "wind blowing" to provide the right impact for the words.

Red Rum would record one more song in the studio before an unusual event ended the group. Please listen to Conquerin Man and type your comments.

Conquerin Man - Lyrics
In a boat on a river
There’s a chill in the air
Surrounded by nature
Alone in despair
Exiled from my family
Abandoned my career
With no place to go
And no one who cared

Yes I’m a drifter
Like a leaf in the wind
If I had my choice
I do it again

So here I am
I’m walking tall
In a world all alone
I’ve got it all

Traveling shore to shore
I’m moving on
Continuing to explore
Not knowing where I’ve gone
I move forward
I never look back
The faster I move
The stronger my attack

Yes I’m a drifter
Like a leaf in the wind
If I had my choice
I do it again

So here I am
I’m walking tall
In a world all alone
I’ve got it all

I just kept traveling
Going place to place
Keeping myself hidden
Alone without a trace
Then one day
My luck ran out
I died a drifter
Without a doubt

But alone and peaceful
I lie in the sand
Knowing that I lived
A Conquerin Man

Yes I’m a drifter
Like a leaf in the wind
If I had my choice
I do it again

So here I am
I’m walking tall
In a world all alone
I’ve got it all

Roads of Destiny - Tall Tales - Lyrics

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One of my favorite short stories is the "Roads of Destiny" by O'Henry.

"I go to seek on many roads
What is to be.
True heart and strong, with love to light--
Will they not bear me in the fight
To order, shun or wield or mould
My Destiny?"

My road of destiny began in the winter of 1987 in Miami Springs, Florida. This is the time and the place that set in motion events that define me today. Here are some key examples: 1. This was the time I started my career. Today almost 22 years later I am now successful still working in the same industry (Not related to music). 2. Miami Springs is where I had a life changing experience that resulted from a serious motorcycle accident in late 1987. Since that time, I see life differently; and try to value and appreciate everyday as if it could be my last. 3. This is also the place that lead me to meet my wife. I have now been married over 19 years with two beautiful children. 4. Finally, this is the origin of the music and the true friendships that followed.

I lived in a studio apartment facing the pool. There was a hotel across the street where future flight attendants stayed while they were training in school to work for Eastern Airlines or Pan Am. (Both airlines are not in business today.) You could say that outside my apartment there was a lot of social activity happening. Out by the pool is where I met Deniz for the first time. Deniz and I coincidentally are both originally from New Jersey; and we were both 22 years old. Deniz was living in an apartment in another building not far from mine. He shared the apartment with a friend and his friend's wife. I can't recall their names. Deniz introduced me to his room mates. From that day forward, Deniz and I became good friends, which continues on today.

Deniz's room mate was a guitar player (Willie Vega). They recorded one song together in the studio with other musicians. The song was called "Tall Tales". I listened to the song for the first time; and was very impressed.

Deniz had a serious disagreement with his friend's wife; and eventually had to move out. What happened next was the formation of a new band that Deniz and I put together. Details to follow in a future blog entry. The copy of the original recording of the song, that Deniz gave me, was on a cassette. The reel-to-reel transfer was done at a very low gain, which means you will need to amplify the sound by turning up the volume when you play the song. I have also included the lyrics below so you can follow along while listening. Please send your comments after listening to "Tall Tales".

Tall Tales - Lyrics

You're telling me

You really care

That don't cut it baby

You've got to prove yourself

You're telling me

Things can work out

Give you time to play

while you're away

I'll wait

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

You say you want time

It's something true

What you really want

Is to say goodbye

Goodbye

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

I can't let go

I can't let go

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling me

You really care

That don't cut it baby

You've got to prove yourself

You're telling me

Things can work out

Give you time to play

while you're away

I'll wait

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

You say you want time

It's something true

What you really want

Is to say goodbye

Goodbye

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

I can't let go

I can't let go

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

I'm doing it to you

You're telling tall tales

It's nothing new

You're telling tall tales

The Bubble Gum Song - Lyrics

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The music we created with Mystix, Red Rum and other band/musicians where Deniz Kose was the lead singer, always was in the Rock Genre. Some of the songs would be classified as hard rock or 80's Heavy Metal. The musical style specifically of many of the Mystix songs could be compared to a Bon Jovi, Poison etc. As you listen to the songs on this blog, you will find one song that is a little different which crosses over to another genre, "You Keep On Breaking My Heart".

On a Wednesday evening in Miami, I drove to the studio with the original members of Mystix that included Deniz "Lead Singer", Lawrence "Lead Guitar", Rich "Bass" and Leo "Drummer". When we arrived to the studio to practice, Deniz and Laurence said that they wrote a Bubble Gum song. They showed it to Rich who then created a bass line for the song. Everyone in the group got a big laugh out of it. Even though we joked we kept working on the song. Without playing any instruments, everyone would rehearse harmonizing by singing together the two verses. I recorded the A-Cappella like singing of the song, but I did not post this to the blog; however the completed song is on the blog for your enjoyment.

The loose definition of "Bubble Gum Music" is simple lyrics with a sticky melody. Bubble Gum Music are catchy pop songs that were popular between 1967-1970 with groups like the Monkees, and Archies etc.

The song is called "You Keep On Breaking My Heart". The first two verses, the bridge and the chorus repeat through out the song with a couple of word changes in the later repeated verses. The group sing the verses together; Deniz sings the rest including the chorus. When listening to the chorus, you will hear "Heart" sang in the background. That is Leo on drums adding his vocal effect to the chorus. The song was fun to do; and you can even hear towards the end a little laughter from Deniz. ***However in the Mystix tradition you still have a hard rock guitar solo in the middle of the song played at the same time with the catchy bass line. Keep in mind this is a practice session recording of low quality; the song was never professionally recorded. Please listen to the bubble gum song and write your comments. Below are the lyrics to the song so you can sing a-long when you listen.


You Keep On Breaking My Heart - Lyrics
When you're walking down the street
You're the girl I have to meet
Leather and lace doesn't fit your style
Come on baby let's sit for a while

I feel your love when I look in your eyes
Are you ready for paradise
Watch me baby I'll hold you tight
Together loving through the night

Babe I love you so
Babe don't go don't go
Babe I love you so
Please don't go

You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby

When you're walking down the street
You're the girl I have to meet
Leather and lace doesn't fit your style
So come on baby let's sit for a while

I feel your love when I look in your eyes
Are you ready for paradise
So hold me baby and I'll hold you tight
Together loving through the night

Babe I love you so
Babe don't go don't go
Babe I love you so
Please don't go

You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby

When you're walking down the street
You're the girl I have to meet
Leather and lace doesn't fit your style
So come on baby let's sit for a while

I feel your love when I look in your eyes
Are you ready for paradise
So Watch me baby I'll hold you tight
Together loving through the night

Babe I love you so
Babe don't go don't go
Babe I love you so
Please don't go

You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby - heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Oh baby

Heart heart heart heart
Heart heart heart heart
Heart heart heart heart
Heart heart heart heart

You keep on breaking my heart
You keep on breaking my heart
Heart heart heart heart heart heart

The Story Behind the Love Song "Oh Tammy" - Lyrics

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I remember being in an apartment near Miami Beach on a Saturday night. Some of the members of Mystix were there: Lawrence “Lead Guitar”, Leo “Drummer” and Deniz “Lead Singer”. The evening started at 6pm and ended early morning in some night club. There were people going in and out of the apartment that night; guys and girls between the ages of 18 & 24. Deniz knew most of the people; I knew some of them; and quickly made friends with some of the one's I just met for the first time. A few partaken in consuming alcohol or smoking a little weed. Meaning that some time during the evening you would see someone light up a joint. We attended a lot of parties during those years; however they were very much under control. There were no drinking binges or people excessively high on drugs. It was more of a social gathering, talking, laughing, listening to music and in many cases trying to hook up. Not in today's definition of sexual exploits; but in the dating sense, whereby a new physical encounter was rare and the highlight story of the next day. If anyone was too inebriated who was in our inner-family-circle, then I was the designated driver literally and figuratively the voice of reason.

Lawrence had a new girlfriend, “Tammy”. The one question of how Laurence and Tammy met I cannot recall. Before that evening I had briefly met Tammy once; however Lawrence never stopped talking about her. Obviously he was big time in love. Lawrence is not in the photo on this blog. I am still looking in my archives to find a picture of Lawrence to post. Laurence was thin, about 5' 7”, tanned, long curly black hair, approximately 20 years, had a very young looking face, Spanish descent and soft spoken. As you can hear on the songs available on this blog, Lawrence was a very talented guitar player and creative in writing original music. I barely recall Tammy because it has been 20 years; what I do remember was that Tammy was shorter than Laurence, thin, pretty and a brunette with medium length curly hair.

Lawrence usually wrote the music and not the lyrics. As a result of being crazy about Tammy, he wrote a love song for her. Early that evening, Laurence sang the first verse of the song and two lines of the second verse A-Cappella. I captured it on a cassette recorder. Deniz quickly thought of a chorus. Laurence picked up his guitar; and Deniz picked up the microphone as I proceeded to record the two performing the first part of the song. I believe Leo sang backup on the chorus. Unfortunately the relationship between Lawrence and Tammy was short-lived; so the song was never completed. Lawrence of course was heartbroken, but eventually moved on. In addition to the back story of the song, it's interesting to hear the process of creating the lyrics and the music by listening to these two very short recordings of “Oh Tammy”.

Incomplete Lyrics of “Oh Tammy”

You know I care

It's up to you now Tammy

There is room in the sky for one more star

I worked so hard to come to this Oh Tammy

And I 'm glad that you've come with me this far

Because I know I love you Tammy

Cause I know without you I'm alone

Because I know I love you Tammy

So take some time to think about us Baby

Take my hand and we'll make it to the top

Baby I'm Crazy - Lyrics

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Here are the lyrics to the first song, "Baby I'm Crazy". This song was recorded in a practice session in Miami, Florida. The vocals are a little distorted. You can follow by reading the lyrics below. After listening to the song a couple of times, it can grow on you.

Listen
Mystix - Baby I'm Crazy

Baby I'm Crazy

I think of you

To call me and tell me we're through

I think of you

So why don't you tell me we're through

You lie you cheat on me

We were never meant to be girl

You lie you cheat on me

Some day you will see baby

So lay your keys on the table

We couldn't make it if you were able

To stay home once in a while

I'm sorry that I'm not your style

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love is hard to find

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love is hard to find

I looked at the big town a fool girl

Maybe you're used to me

I'm sorry things didn't work out

You're going to want to leave baby

So lay your keys on the table

We couldn't make it if you were able

To stay home once in a while

I'm sorry that I'm not your style

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love that we find

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love is hard to find

You lie you cheat on me

We were never meant to be baby

You lie you cheat on me

Some day you will see girl

So lay your keys on the table

We couldn't make it if you were able

To stay home once in a while

I'm sorry that I'm not your style

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love is hard to find

Baby I'm crazy

Getting you off my mind

Maybe I'm crazy

True love is hard to find