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# 75 – An American singer-songwriter

Neil Leslie Diamond- is an American singer-songwriter, born in 1941, he is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

For his 16th birthday, he got as a gift, his first guitar and started to take lessons, and almost immediately began to write songs.

He said that his attraction to songwriting was the "first real interest" he had growing up, while also helped him release his youthful frustrations.

Neil Diamond also used his newly developing skill to write poetry, by writing poems for girls he was attracted to in school, he soon learned it often won their hearts. His male classmates took note and began asking him to write poems for them, which they would sing and use it with equal success.

In January 2018, Neil Diamond announced that he would stop touring because he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Tour dates on the final leg of the Diamond's "50 Year Anniversary World Tour" in Australia and New Zealand were cancelled.

"Forever in Blue Jeans", co-written and jointly composed with his guitarist, Richard Bennett.

Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
And it don't walk
Long as I can have you
Here with me, I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans

Honey's sweet
But it ain't nothin' next to baby's treat (are not nothing)
And if you pardon me
I'd like to say ( I would like)
We do okay
Forever in blue jeans

Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight by the fire
All alone you and I

Nothing around
But the sound of my heart
And your sighs

Money talks
But it can't sing and dance
And it can't walk
And long as I can have you
Here with me, I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe

And honey's sweet
But it ain't nothin' next to baby's treat
And if you pardon me, I'd like to say
We do okay
Forever in blue jeans

Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight by the fire
All alone you and I
Nothing around
But the sound of my heart
And your sighs

Money talks
But it don’t sing and dance
And it don't walk
Long as I can have you
Here with me
I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans

And if you pardon me

I'd like to say  ( I would like)

We do okay

Forever in blue jeans babe

long as I can have you
Here with me I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe

As long as I can have you
Here with me I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans, babe


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Marcus Tullius Cicero was born in 106 BC in a small municipality of Arpinum, 100 kilometers from Rome – He was assassinated in 43 BC, in Rome, at the age of 63. His mother was a housewife, and his father was a well-to-do member of the equestrian order, a wealthy landowner who possessed good connections in Rome.

Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and philosopher. His extensive writings include treatises on rhetoric, philosophy, and politics. He is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.

During his time in Roman history, "cultured" meant being able to speak both Latin and Greek. Cicero was therefore educated in the teachings of the ancient Greek philosophers, poets, and historians, he obtained much of his understanding of the theory and practice of rhetoric from the Greek poet Licinius Archias, and from the Greek rhetorician Apollonius Molon.

Cicero used his knowledge of Greek to translate many of the theoretical concepts of Greek philosophy into Latin, thus translating Greek philosophical works for a larger audience. It was precisely his broad education that tied him to the traditional Roman elite.

Cicero introduced into Latin, the arguments of the chief schools of Hellenistic philosophy, and created a Latin philosophical vocabulary with neologisms such as:  evidentia, humanitas, qualitas, quantitas, and essentia, distinguishing himself as a translator and philosopher.

Cicero has been traditionally considered the master of Latin prose.

Quintilian, a well know Roman educator declared, that Cicero was "not the name of a man, but of eloquence itself. The English word Ciceronian (means "eloquent") derive from his name. He is credited with transforming Latin from a modest utilitarian language into a versatile literary medium, capable of expressing abstract and complicated thoughts with clarity.

Though, he was an accomplished orator and successful lawyer, Cicero believed his political career was his most important achievement. Following Gaius Julius Caesar's death, Cicero became an enemy of Mark Antony, who view Cicero as an enemy of the state, consequently, Cicero was executed.

Today Cicero is appreciated primarily for his humanism and philosophical and political writings. His voluminous correspondence, much of it addressed to his friend Atticus, this correspondence has been especially influential, for introducing the art of refined letter writing, to the European culture.

According to John William Mackail, the reformer of the British education system "Cicero's unique and imperishable glory is that he created the language of the civilized world and used that language to create a style, which nineteen centuries have not replaced, and in some respects have hardly altered.


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PARKISONS  DISEASE

Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects nervous system function, according to the Mayo Clinic. The nerve cells in the brain, called neurons, progressively malfunction, or die off. This, in turn, prevents the brain from producing enough dopamine, a chemical that acts as a messenger for brain signal that control movement, coordination and other key functions.

Parkinson’s is most seen in adults older than 50 and is more frequent in men than women.

Doctors aren’t totally sure why people get Parkinson’s, there is evidence, that genetics may play a role in some cases, other risk factors, may include repeated head trauma and exposure to certain chemicals or heavy metals.

Parkinson’s has four main symptoms: Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head.

Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time.

Slowness of movement.

Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls.

People with Parkinson's disease often develop a parkinsonian gait that includes a tendency to lean forward; take small quick steps; and reduce swinging of their arms. They also may have trouble initiating or continuing movement.

Several disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s-like symptoms that result from other causes, such as multiple system atrophy and dementia, are sometimes said to have parkinsonism.

While these disorders initially may be misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, certain medical tests, as well as response to drug treatment, may help to better evaluate the cause.

Many other diseases have similar features but require different treatments, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, although medications that mimic or enhance the effects of dopamine, in conjunction with physical therapy, diet and exercise intervention, may help reduce symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In advanced cases, doctors may also implant signal-carrying electrical sensors into the brain in hopes of mitigating some symptoms.

Though it can’t be cured, Parkinson’s itself is not fatal, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. That said, complications from the disease — including decreased motor function and impaired swallowing — can shorten a person’s lifespan.


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Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs.

It is believed that Hinduism started between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C., but many Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has always existed.

Hinduism accepts many different religious ideas, most of the people that follow Hinduism believe that there are many paths to reach their god; even though, they worship a single deity known as Brahman, and have many sects, they still respect other gods and goddesses.

The Hindus code of living emphasizes good conduct and morality. They believe in the continuous cycle of life, death, (reincarnation) and in the universal law of cause and effect (karma), and that all living creatures have a soul, and all these souls, are all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to end the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute soul.

Food is an important part of life for Hindus. they consider the cow to be a sacred animal, most of them do not eat beef or pork, many are vegetarians.

The Hindu ancient texts and Vedas are full of amazing stories about different gods, their extraordinary powers, and battles that took place a millennia ago.

It describes gods who fight against evil forces on flying crafts called VIMANAS.

These Vimanas are consistently described as weapons of war. They are flying machines, some Vimanas were made to travel locally from one place to the other, to different countries, some flying machines were used to travel to various planets. The text Describes that, there were four types of Vimanas some were saucer-shaped, others were cylinder-shaped and had the ability to maneuver both under water and in outer space.

These Vimanas were non-combustible, unbreakable, very effective on the offensive and were also invisible to the enemies. They were, able to render enemies, into a suspended animation state, and cause widespread destruction.

The Mahabharata, a Hindu epic, provides even more detail on Vimanas. It says, “The ancient Indian king Salva acquired the flying machine from Maya Danava, who was a resident of a planetary system named Taltala”. The Vimana flew in the sky, rested on the hill, and floated on the water.

There are drawing instructions and detail as to the metal construction of Vimanas, their use of mirrors, and lenses, and the defenses offered by several Vimanas types.

The existence of this text was revealed by G.R. Josyer the founder of the International Academy of Sanskrit Research who said that Pandit Subbaraya Shastry had dictated it to him from 1918 to 1923.

The epic Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana is written in Sanskrit, one of the oldest survived languages in the world. It also known to contain scientific information about embryology


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A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But February made me shiver

With every paper I'd deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

But something touched me deep inside

The day the music died

So bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry

And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin' "This'll be the day that I die

This'll be the day that I die"

Did you write the book of love, and do you have faith in God above

If the Bible tells you so?

Have  you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul

And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you're in love with him

'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym

You both kicked off your shoes

Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck (a wild horse that is vicious and difficult or impossible to break in)

With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

But I knew I was out of luck

The day the music died

I started singin'

Now for ten years we've been on our own, and moss grows fat on a rollin' stone

But that's not how it used to be

When the jester sang for the king and queen in a coat HE borrowed from James Dean

 (The Jesters were an early 1960s rock & roll band and James Dean was a famous actor )

And a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the king was looking down

The jester stole his thorny crown

The courtroom was adjourned

No verdict was returned

And while Lenin read a book on Marx

A quartet practiced in the park

And we sang dirges in the dark

The day the music died We were singin' 

Helter skelter in a summer swelter, the birds flew off with a fallout shelter

Eight miles high and falling fast

It landed foul on the grass, the players tried for a forward pass

With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the halftime air was sweet perfume

While the sergeants played a marching tune

We all got up to dance

Oh, but we never got the chance

'Cause the players tried to take the field

The marching band refused to yield

Do you recall what was revealed

The day the music died?

We started singin'

Oh, and there we were all in one place, a generation lost in space

With no time left to start again

So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash sat on a candlestick

'Cause fire is the devil's only friend

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage

My hands were clenched in fists of rage

No angel born in Hell

Could break that Satan's spell

And as the flames climbed high into the night

To light the sacrificial rite

I saw Satan laughing with delight

The day the music died

He was  singin'

I met a girl who sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news

But she just smiled and turned away

I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before

But the man there said the music wouldn't play

And in the streets, the children screamed

The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed

But not a word was spoken

The church bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died and

They were singin' bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry




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Don McLean was Born October 2, 1945. He is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie"

McLean's original recording was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."

To mark the 50th anniversary of the song, McLean is scheduled to perform a 35-date tour through Europe, starting in Wales and ending in Austria, in 2022.

Don McLean said that he wrote the refrain, of American Pie and 3 months later, he wrote the rest of the song in1 hour.

"The day the music died" refers to the plane crash in 1959 in Iowa during a snowstorm, that killed early rock and roll star Buddy Holly, who was McLean’s childhood music hero.

The song American Pie - reflects the deep cultural changes and profound disillusionment and loss of innocence of his entire generation.

“So bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry”

(Chevy refers to a car Chevrolet popular at the time - a levee is a quay or a dike an embankment along a river to control floods, in any case, a place where you'd expect to find water.)

In 1971 Don McLean released "Vincent” which is a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. It is often erroneously titled after its opening refrain, "Starry, Starry Night", a reference to Van Gogh's 1889 painting.

McLean said the following about the genesis of the song:

"In the autumn of 1970 I had a job singing in the school system, playing my guitar in classrooms. I was sitting on the veranda one morning, reading a biography of Van Gogh, and suddenly I knew I had to write a song arguing that he wasn't crazy. He had an illness and so did his brother Theo. This makes it different, in my mind, to the garden variety of 'crazy' – because he was rejected by a woman [as was commonly thought]. So, I sat down with a print of Starry Night and wrote the lyrics out on a paper bag."


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