"From Me To You" Del Shannon

While I share many Beatles covers, I should have started at the beginning. Del Shannon of Runaway fame was the first American act to cover the Beatles, very shortly after they were recroding in England. Del actually released "From Me To You" in America before the Beatles own version was released here. So, this is the offical first Beatles cover recorded in the USA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H55MFCtiB-I

I am feeling much more positive, I had some very good visits yesterday, a great team of nurses, and my chemo is going well in this my 6th of 8 sessions. I was able to get my blood counts down or conditioned to start the Cytarabine (Ara-C) this morning, and will have 4 two hour chemo infusions every 12 hours until I go home Monday or late Sunday night. Ara-C is the harshest chemo in my protocol, but I am drinking more fluids and exercising more in an effort to handle it better. I climbed stairs again today, down 76 and up 76 stories in 40 minutes again. Check out the link to Del's youtube video, and get those t shirt sizes into us ASAP please if you are climbing with us March 21. Peace and Love- Greg

Richie Havens "Here Comes The Sun"

I also have an update for climbers... Our Pacific Northwest Sun is supposed to be around off and on this weekend, a bit warmer than usual for our winter- I almost feel guilty compared to the rest of the country. I was prompted to post this fine Richie Havens version of George's classic from Abbey Road as it is a positive song intended to ease someone's mind, a good going into the weekend song. For those younger bloggers, Richie Havens was a popular folk-rock star from the 60's and 70's, he played at Woodstock for example.

I decided to test my climbing prowess this morning, and climbed up 65 stories and down 65 stories in under 40 minutes. Since I am a bit out of shape that should be inspirational to those who think climbing might be difficult. I was able to convince the doctor to grant me 45 minutes of no fluids and I swore to wear a real t shirt and running shorts instead of the see-through hospital gown.
Team "I Got A Fever" is continuing to grow, we are up to 16 official members with many more preparing to sign up.We need to make another order of our special SNL team shirts. The black "I Got A Fever" shirts are on back order other than smalls, so we are ordering some larger shirts that I have attached via this photo. Both styles fit smaller, please consider ordering up a size when Yvonne or I ask via e mail unless you have plenty of room in your current shirts. The new shirt comes in S, M, L, and 2XL. Here is the link again to join: http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/BigClimb?team_id=25870&pg=team&fr_id=1110

The Zoot "Eleanor Rigby"

I hope everyone survived the State of the Union hype. I am about 6 hours into my first 24 hour Methatrexate chemo infusion here at St. Josephs Hospital. I should be in the hospital until at least Sunday, so far so good. Room 10A9 for now, session 6 of 8. Today's song was covered by The Zoot, an Australian Band active from 1968 to 1971 and features a young guitarist named Rick Springfield. Rick went on in the 70's and 80's to be an Actor on General Hospital and a productive single act singing Jesse's Girl. The Zoot looks a bit like The Who meets the Sex Pistols. The Classic becomes their own for sure. Have a good Thinking Thursday!  Love- Greg

"In My Life" Cashed in

Greg/Yvonne Waimea Canyon, Kauai

"In My Life" was an early John Lennon song from 1965 and the Rubber Soul album. Paul may have contributed to some of the song. Many artists covered the song, this Johnny Cash version has been noted to be one of the best. I could only find this version with associated pictures in the video. Johnny's version is slower, maybe more heartfelt- beauty in the eye of the beholder?

"Tomorrow Never Knows"

I am naming today's post after a lesser known Beatles song covered by a cover band from California- The Sun Kings.  A blog poster jogged my memory, when you add the you never know what is going to happen to the mix- well there you go.  Yvonne, Sadie and I actually went for a small run this morning. I planned on walking a few miles, was listening to Breakfast with the Beatles on the way up to the mountains, and when we got there I challenged myself a bit- walking and running for two miles up a hill, and running two miles back to the truck. I was a bit weak, but all in all it was a day-making event.
*PS: I linked the last Conan show/Will Ferrell "Free Bird" performance at the end of this post. It is worth a visit! 
Big Climb Update: Team Captain Yvonne asked for start times in the 1000-1030 range, and will hear back soon. The team fund-raising will be shared with all team members, but the organization still asks for $50 fund raising for each member. We collected some inside the window bumper stickers and brochures for those who want them. There will be two stairwells open for people who want to race or those who want to climb. We will also organize a lunch at a nearby restaurant after the climb- more on that later.
 
Just a couple of interesting facts here. Tomorrow Never Knows came from the Revolver album released in 1966, a bit ahead of its time. The fab four went much more electric and experimental with the album including using tape loops, different musicians and instruments and other new techniques in recording. The Beatles never performed "Tomorrow" live as the studio effects could not be reproduced on stage at the time, and they quit performing live at about the same time as the release of the album. The Sun Kings do a great job- the look alike John Lennon lead singer is very good.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/23/will-ferrell-free-bird-vi_n_433975.html

Strawberry Fields Forever by Ben Harper

Happy Saturday!  It's been awhile since I posted anything other than big climb information...I am still looking for good cover versions of Beatles songs and included one today. I am feeling very strong and just finished a stretch of two weeks working without needing a break. That sounds small, but it is a first for me since chemo started. Yvonne and I are going to Seattle today to get some more information on the big climb and will also do some sight-seeing. I begin chemo session #6 of 8 on January 27- almost 3/4 done.We are very thankful for the outpouring of donations and support for Team I Got A Fever, the team has already surpassed our initial fund raising goal!


Ben Harper adds his unique style to this cover version of one the Beatles best known and loved songs.  

Satire or fact: Beatles 3000 Video? Team Updates 01-22-10

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

• New Funny Video, check it out for a quick laugh. 
• Please send us your SNL t shirt size request if you sign up to climb, we need those to be able to order by Jan 31. If you'd like to join, click on the link. If you'd like to help, read on. 

• Additional information: If you join the team you can save $5 on a registration with this discount code: 1049 (Panera Bread) 

http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/BigClimb?team_id=25870&pg=team&fr_id=1110
The Team is Captained By Yvonne Dymerski
Team Name: I Got A Fever
Team password: cowbell

Team Shirt:

***New 01-22-10. For those who would like to donate to the Team or an individual on the team and don't like to use credit cards, there is an alternative: Please indicate the team or individual you are contributing to, you can mail a check (no cash) to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Big Climb
530 Dexter Ave. North, Ste. 300
Seattle, WA 98109  

We will be buying team shirts soon, we will need sizes from those who are planning on climbing. Call or contact us for more information anytime. e mail: beatlefool@yahoo.com

"John does Blackbird"

Paul McCartney composed  "Blackbird" in 1968 as his response to racial unrest occurring in the USA. Being that this is the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King week of remembrance, the least I can do is highlight a song written to inspire many. Blackbird was covered by a lot of artists with it's pretty melody and Bach based guitar beginning. I chose to post a 1973 early John Denver version with dance, as John seemed to make a change or two to make it his own.
Blackbird can be inspiring to all of us, to me it also made me wish I had room to thank every person who has been there to inspire me, smiled my way, offered words of encouragement, given me energy drinks, sent cards, e mails, given recommendations like "fight hard", called me out, etc. I hear "Blackbird" every day when I am blessed like this. Here are the truncated lyrics for your own interpretation:

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night-

Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life- You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night-

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life- You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly- Into the light of the dark black night. (repeat)

You were only waiting for this moment to arise. (repeat)"

The Big Climb

My Heart goes out to all of the people of Haiti and at this time I also need to remind us that the KCSO Airport Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) are preparing to don their firefighter gear and climb Seattle's tallest building March 7 in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society aiding in researching and finding a cure for blood and bone cancers. The team is still raising funds and any assistance anyone can provide is welcomed. Here is the KCSO ARFF team website: 

http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=21501&pg=team&fr_id=1090

Another great way to help is for people to sign up to be a bone marrow donor. I have the link below, the process is a few minutes of computer registration and eventually a swab of the inside of your cheek. The swab is collected and at some time in the future you could be the person who saves or extends the life of someone suffering from Leukemia or other blood/bone cancers. Many Leukemia patients have no choice of sibling or family donors and have to utilize the national registry. Please consider the option. 

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/index.html

There is more! I am also proud to announce that my Wife Yvonne is starting a team to climb Seattle's tallest building March 21st (two weeks after the firefighters.) We will have a team name and associated information out this week, please consider joining the team in support of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and climbing the Columbia Tower with us March 21st. 69 floors, if the Firefighters can do it...

 
http://www.llswa.org/site/PageNavigator/BC_homepage

The Bee Gees more popular than the Beatles in 1964?

This little ditty shows some very early Bee Gees singing what turned out to be unknown in Australia at the time Beatles, "Please Please Me." Almost as cute as my three children circa 1997 huh? Speaking of my kids, I am very proud of them as they continue to help me out with lots of support, blood tests, volunteering, etc. Natalie, I hope you are feeling better today! Love- Greg

Sinatra jazzes up Something

Who else could sing one of the best love songs and slip in "you stick around jack, it might show?" The Chairman of the board is the only one. Frank recorded "Something" and also performed it numerous times. He made it his own with a little big band and jazz sound. 
I finished chemo session 5 Sunday morning, three to go and am readying to go to work this morning. Let's have a great week!

Jerry Garcia covers "Dear Prudence"

I have to post without the ability to see the video I am attaching, but trust that the Jerry Garcia Band did a good job in 1989 with a fairly obscure Beatles cut written by John, Dear Prudence. It is a pretty song John took more influence from the groups trip to India in 1967. Jerry and band probably take it in some slower and different directions with maybe even a jam session? Life is worth living and experiencing. My chemo is progressing nicely including the dreaded spinal infusion/extraction today. I had a great view of sunny Mt. Rainier most of the day with visiters to boot. Let me know how this video plays out compared to the real deal.

Fun with covers

Most people know the song "Yesterday" by the Beatles. Folks might not know that it has been recorded and covered by other artists at least 3000 times. There are many Beatles songs that have been covered over the years. Contemporary popular rock and roll artists to ukulele virtuosos have taken turns adapting or offering their take on classic and obscure Beatles tunes. I'd like to highlight a few of my favorites as I go onto Chemo session number 5, thanks to my Hawaiian brother Malcolm for the first artist who embodies the spirit and lends his own flavor to an original Beatles song. Jake Shimabukuro is worth a listen, and he is performing in concert in the Northwest in March (Portland, Bremerton and Edmonds. Go to his website for details.)   

"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"

Today is the memorial for Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Kent Mundell. I included the original Bob Dylan version of Knockin' On Heaven's Door to pay respect to Deputy Mundell, his family, and friends. I hope to see fellow law enforcement professionals and members of our community at the memorial this afternoon. Serve proud!

"If I Needed Someone"

This is George Harrison's early breakthrough song, and usually the only song by George that the Beatles sang in concert in the early years. George played a 12 string lead guitar which influenced bands like The Byrds. In a fair trade, the Byrds' influenced George in the writing of If I Needed Someone. The title gives us a hint about the contents- a basic love song. We all need someone at some time... Back to work or school for most today, and it is a new year. Here's to treating each other as we'd like to be treated in 2010.