• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Bands & Projects
    • Marty Willson-Piper
    • Marty & Olivia
    • Noctorum
    • MOAT
    • Atlantæum Flood
    • Anekdoten
      • How I Joined Anekdoten
    • The Church
      • Sleeve Notes
    • All About Eve
  • Discography
  • Gear
  • Talking
  • Lyrics
    • SOLO ALBUMS
      • In Reflection
      • Art Attack
      • Rhyme
      • Spirit Level
      • Hanging Out In Heaven
      • Nightjar
    • NOCTORUM
      • Sparks Lane
      • Offer The Light
      • Honey Mink Forever
      • The Afterlife
    • MOAT
      • Moat
      • Poison Stream
    • Seeing Stars
  • Sleeve Notes
    • Of Skins And Heart
    • The Blurred Crusade
    • Seance
    • Heyday
    • Starfish
    • Gold Afternoon Fix
    • Priest = Aura
  • Bandcamp

Marty Willson-Piper

The official home of Marty Willson-Piper

  • News
  • Blog
  • Shows
  • Songwriting & Guitar Guidance
  • In Deep Music Archive
  • Contact

Aug 10 2022

TO WHERE I AM NOW

It’s hard being born in the fifties. First of all, it means you are already in your sixties but it also means that those that came before you are ready to catch the escalator to the stars and this week has been tough. First, it was Judith Durham (79) from The Seekers, then all on the same day: Olivia Newton-John (73) with Lamont Dozier (81) and The Pogues‘ bassist Darryl Hunt (72). If this is an average that gives me about 15 years if I’m lucky, depressing but getting older and then leaving in the silver spaceship is part of the deal and a lot of people have to leave on the earlier transport so it’s all good so far. I’m sure other musicians have left us this week too, it’s hard to keep up with the inevitable.

Judith Durham used her mother’s maiden name in the band probably because her real name was Judith Mavis Cock (you can’t make it up). Everyone in my age group remembers those timeless hits, including I’ll Never Find Another You (1964) written by Dusty’s brother Tom Springfield and reaching No.2 in the UK, No.4 in the US. In 1965 came two other Tom Springfield hit songs, A World Of Our Own (No.3 in the UK, No.2 in Australia, No.19 in the US) and The Carnival Is Over, which went to No.1 for six weeks in Australia, three weeks in the UK and made it to No.1 in Ireland. In 1966 they released Morningtown Ride, written by Malvina Reynolds (Little Boxes anyone) and Georgy Girl, music by (you guessed it) Tom Springfield, lyrics by Jim Dale, reaching No.1 in Australia, No.3 in the UK and No.1 in Cashbox chart in the US. I remember these songs so well because it was the sixties and they stuck in my brain as it was being formed. RIP Judith Durham.

Olivia Newton-John is remembered mostly for Grease (1978) and Physical (1981), big successes, but I remember her for Dylan’s If Not For You, miming and dancing in 1971. There were a lot of middle-of-the-road hits, most of which I don’t remember and then there’s Xanadu (1980) but don’t forget her sixties sci-fi film Toomorrow (1979), yes really. RIP Olivia.

Lamont Dozier wrote (with Brian and Eddie Holland) for Motown, Baby Love (1964), Stop! In the Name of Love (1965), Reach Out I’ll Be There (1966), Heat Wave (1963), I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch, 1965), Band of Gold (1970), You Can’t Hurry Love (1966), You Keep Me Hangin’ On (1966) and Bernadette (1967) and of course many more. RIP Lamont.

Last but not least Darryl Hunt played bass with The Pogues and on the classic Fairytale Of New York (1987), featuring the great Kirsty MacColl who herself was killed in Mexico by a speedboat aged 41. RIP Darryl, RIP Kirsty.

Music today has been The Pogues‘ If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988), Fairytale Of New York was a No.1 Irish and No.2 UK single in 1987, but it’s a perennial Christmas hit.

Music Of The Daze

Written by Marty Willson-Piper · Categorized: Blog

Missing

This is my stolen 1965 Rickenbacker 12-string, serial number EB157. If there's any chance of this guitar coming back to me before I go to meet my maker, then that would be wonderful. Please contact me if you have any information.

11209512_1669022976719710_7288437867089763325_n

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

  • spotify
  • facebook
  • youtube

Liking the blog?

Tour Dates

Mailing List

In Deep Music Archive

Songwriting & Guitar Guidance with Marty Willson-Piper
ORDER HERE

"These are awesome sessions that I highly recommend for guitar players of all levels. Very informative, frank discussions on everything related to guitar and music in general. Definitely a must for anyone pursuing songwriting."
(Stephen G., VA, USA)

"Marty knows how to bypass scales and get to the heart of feel and timing. His musical knowledge spans multiple cultures and genres. Perhaps most importantly, Marty is a cool dude. I highly recommend his guitar guidance." (Jed B., MN, USA)

"Ok, so you’re sitting in your home and Marty is across the world but is actually right here teaching you how to play guitar and write songs. He is a delight to talk to and he is your teacher, meaning he wants to see you get something out of his lessons. You know he’s paying attention and wants to steer you in the right direction. I am so grateful and humbled that he offers his time in this manner. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who admires anything from his enormous body of work. How often do you get to learn from somebody that inspired you in the first place? Amazing." (Ann S., CA, USA)

Missing

This is my stolen 1965 Rickenbacker 12-string, serial number EB157. If there’s any chance of this guitar coming back to me before I go to meet my maker, then that would be wonderful. Please contact me if you have any information.

11209512_1669022976719710_7288437867089763325_n

MARTY WILLSON-PIPER © 2023 - Front Page Images by Hajo Müller