At this writing I am listening to Elton John’s 1984 album “Breaking Hearts”.  It was not the prolific songwriter/performer’s most memorable effort.  One thing you can give Elton credit for, good or bad, he has never allowed much moss to grow.  One record after another.  Many not very good.  Some, though, unforgettable.  For me, “Breaking Hearts” is an unforgettable release.  When I was a junior and senior in high school, I wore a cassette tape of this release out.  The melancholy tune, the album’s namesake, “Breaking Hearts” is a great song.  The haunting chorus with its soaring harmony takes me places.  It did then.  It does now.  Whether I am sixteen or fifty, I hear and feel the same stuff when I listen to this album.  That is how you know it became and continues to be a part of your life.  This one, for whatever reason, resonates with me more than most all these years on.

Am I a Pirate?  I feel like one.  I am listening to this album on the world wide web on a common website.  That is all I will say.  I couldn’t tell you how many times I have been to used record/cd shops all over the country East of the Mississippi River looking for this album on CD.  There is plenty of Elton to procure.  But I can’t find this one.  My tape is long gone.  I feel like a heel listening to this without paying for it.  I suppose I will order it properly this weekend if I can find it.

Does Elton need my six dollars?  I doubt it.  I donated to see him in concert many years ago.  It was worth every penny.

During baseball games at North Harrison High School, I can be found in the press box announcing the game and playing the same old tunes in between innings.  The picture above was taken this past week in an NH home game against Heritage Hills.  What I love about this pic is catcher Brett Rudolph, sans his catcher’s mask, looking as the ball sails out of play.  Brett was the subject of some good pictures I posted here during football season.  His Dad was a senior when I was freshman and now and again I was lined up against him during practice scrimmages.  His Dad, Jeff, was like a piece of steel.  To me, Jeff Rudolph will always be the greatest North Harrison Cougar of them all.

Listening to Elton’s 1984 album “Breaking Hearts” for the first time in decades, I can tell you it is even better tonight than I remembered.

On facebook last Saturday I posted the following…

There are still some non-believers out there thinking I am in Cleveland today for The Moody Blues induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am at home where my old “breakfast of champions”, a Canada Dry Ginger Ale, has been replaced with coffee in a Moody Blues Hall of Fame cup thanks to Dan Goins. On this gloomy, “Moody” Saturday morning in Southern Indiana, I am back where it started for me in 1983…and that old cassette still works 35 years later. First time I have played this tape in at least 2 decades. Sounds wonderful!

That original Days of Future Passed cassette.

So The Moody Blues finally made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I am ready to visit the place now.  I want to go one time.  This year will be the time to do that.  I have never been a great fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I got a copy of this year’s induction ceremony program.  There were multiple errors in the section that spoke of The Moodies.  No Moodies fan is shocked by that.  We all had the Moodies in a more important Rock and Roll Hall of Fame many years ago….our hearts.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson