It was pointed out to me by my friend (who prefers to remain nameless…no really) that I have been neglecting Diggz.org lately. This is very true. I’ve been busy working on other things like Tropo.com, GWOB.org and traveling quite a bit for both. Here and there I’ve had the opportunity to play some piano.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to get back into the habit of posting content to Diggz.org. In the spirit of that, I’ve recorded a new edition of Johnny Diggz Live. I hope you enjoy…
If John Travolta and William Hung had a baby…Johnny Lee is back on stage at Baby Grands Dueling Pianos . This time with even more dance moves and even more of teh awesome. Enjoy…
I’d THOUGHT I’d pretty much heard everything John Lennon had recorded, music or otherwise. But in 1969, a 14 year old Toronto student interviewed John Lennon (I assume at one of his bed-in press conferences for peace). I recently came across this interview, which has been enhanced by some fantastic animation. His message from almost 30 years ago still rings true today.
Twenty-nine years ago today outside a brownstone on the west side of Central Park, a man named Mark David Chapman raised a Charter Arms .38 revolver and fired five hollow point bullets at the back of John Lennon. Four of the bullets hit Lennon’s back and shoulder; one of them piered his aorta, killing the 40-year-old artist almost instantly.
After the shooting, Chapman remained at the scene, taking out his copy of The Catcher in the Rye, which he read until police arrived. In his statement to police three hours later, Chapman stated, “I’m sure the large part of me is Holden Caulfield, who is the main person in the book. The small part of me must be the Devil.”
I was nine years old when it happened…I barely knew who John Lennon was. It wasn’t until many years later that the weight of what happened really sunk in, when I visited Strawberry Fields for the first time and I wept like a baby.
As a musician, it’s just impossible for me to comprehend or express the influence John Lennon has had on me personally. I often try to imagine what the world would be like if Chapman hadn’t ripped John from us…if he continued to write songs to this day.
What would he write about? Would the Beatles have ever gotten back together? And aside from his music, his campaign against war and for peace…could one man have altered the course of history? Would the tragedies of 9-11 happened in a world where John Lennon lived?
Of course, we’ll never know. We live in a world where John Lennon is dead and Mark David Chapman is alive. But every year on December 8th, I try to take a moment to remember John’s contributions to the world and listen to a few of his songs, and if I’m lucky I get to share a few with an audience.
Today’s performance will be in my living room…anyone that wants to come listen or play along please join in. Or if you’re not in the neighborhood, enjoy one of John’s gifts online… (embedding is disabled, but please enjoy on Youtube)
It’s all about health care reform Diggz, Michelle, and Ryan talk to Ryan’s friend Dan, and Diggz friend Dave for a two-hour, non-stop, wacky, zany, exciting in-depth discussion about health care. Hold on to your sides folks, this is a rib splitter.
When I was in high school and early college, I worked at Babbage’s Software. We sold video games (among other software). Back then I had a Super Nintendo, a Sega Genesis, a Turbo Grafix-16 as well as a PC. It was my job to know games (so I told myself).
Since the early 90′s I’ve avoided owning any gaming systems (I’ve stayed away from World of Warcraft and the like as well). But my game system-less streak may be coming to an end on September 9th, when the makers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band release their collaborative effort with The Beatles, called “Beatles: Rock Band”.
The game, due out Sept. 9, will let players jam along with the Fab Four as they roll through the ages. The game will feature classics such as “Here Comes the Sun,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Octopus’ Garden.” Players will be able to download playable tracks from the entire “Abbey Road” album.
An all-star concert on meditation brought Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr together for their first performance together in seven years.
The reunion of McCartney and Starr, the surviving members of the Beatles, was the highlight of the “Change Begins Within” concert on Saturday night. The event was held at Radio City Music Hall to benefit the David Lynch Foundation, which aims to teach at-risk youth meditation techniques.
Tuesday, January 10
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As a musician, it’s just impossible for me to comprehend or express the influence John Lennon has had on me personally. I often try to imagine what the world would be like if Chapman hadn’t ripped John from us…if he continued to write songs to this day.
