sieze the day

Vale - Billy Thorpe

It was a sad day for me hearing Red Symons on the ABC referring to Billy Thorpe and suddenly realizing that the context of the reference was that Billy had died. Growing up in Brisbane in the 60's, Billy was a local hero - Brisbane boy who had achieved the dream of many - rock and roll fame - Billy attended Salisbury High school in Brisbane - a "tough"school by reputation - it was common knowledge that the first week at Salisbury High involved all new students in being ïnitiated"- which meant, among other events of assault and humiliation, it also meant having your head "flushed"in a toilet bowl while the otehr older students held you down. I was always grateful that my parents had bought a house in Forest St Moorooka and that my brothers and I attended the far more "genteel"  Yeronga High. For a detailed bio on Billy, see the Mushroom Records webpage

I always had a soft spot for Billy - although by the time of the Sunbury Festival, he did appear to be a little öut of place"if you thought about him as the clean-cut, blonde haired blue-eyed rock and roller from the early 60's - but he made the transformation and led another generation of 70's youth into musical magic.

Billy's rendition of Judy Garland's signature tune - Over the Rainbow - how good is that? Have you read Billy's books? I don't know if I believe everything that he has written but the time he spent during his early years living in Sydney was just every young guy's dream.

I last saw Billy perform in 1998 at the Crown - I loved his performance - it was very very loud - but brought back lots of memories.

The day after he died, I took one of his CD's to work and gave my colleagues a listen to a couple of his songs and explained hwo Billy was and what he had done for Australian music.

It's crazy - Billy was too young and always looked so fit - we will miss you Billy!

700 Sundays - Billy Crystal _ Melbourne State Theatre Sat 3rd March 2007

Firstly and most importantly, let me fully acknowledge three people who each had a big part giving me one of the most amazing experiences of my life - first, thanks to my brother Peter who sent me an SMS on Friday night telling me that I HAD to see 700 Sundays and that it was the best show he had ever seen - an amazing statement from my brother "Broadway Pete"!!. Secondly thanks to my Mum who got me to agree to go to the Box Office today and get some tickets ... and last but by no means least, thanks to my partner Kylie who actually managed to queue up and get her hands on two of the best tickets in the house - 4 rows back from the stage - and centre stage - our seats could not have been better! And the very best thing was that it was my Mum who is 85 going on 65, sitting next to me sharing this amazing experience.
700 Sundays is not only the most incredible one-person show that you can imagine, it's not only the most brilliant acting you could ever see , and it's not only the most amazing theatrical experience that you can imagine  ...                                                             700 Sundays is so much more. When I paid out my $398.00 for 2 tickets to see this show, I did not for one minute think that three hours later, I would be sitting in my seat at the end of the show thoroughly and completely emotionally "wasted". (just as a side note, I have never used the word "wasted"in relation to how I have ever felt before). 700 Sundays was more captivating than any movie I have ever seen or any book I have ever read - I have experienced a three hour emotional roller-coaster ride that made the Landmark Forum feel like a chat with my hairdresser - this show was truly amazing. Billy re-created all the major milestones of his life between 1948 and present-day against a back-drop of milestone events (Cold War, Kennedy's death, 911) as well as an insider's look into the world of Jazz, baseball and New York life in the 50's and beyond. By re-enacting his life and experiences and vivid memories on stage, Billy Crystal actually causes his audience to re-live all the happy, sad, funny, memorable and nostalgic moments of their own lives. You truly belive that all the characters are there on stage with Billy Crystal - he gives you the experience of watching his life unfold before you ...I was taken through all the highs and lows that my emotions have ever felt - I laughed harder than I have ever laughed before and I felt other feelings that were incredibly intense - and at times, confrontingly so...at times, I could not help being distracted by people all around me wiping their eyes, pulling out hankies - at the end of the performance - I am really glad that I had my sunglasses to put on when the house lights came up at the end of the show. 700 Sundays - amazing - I am in the process of re-arranging the pictures of my inspirational role models (John Lennon, John Kennedy),  to make room for another picture... Billy Crystal - what a genius - what an absolute inspiration.

Oh yes, while we are on the topic of inspirational, consider the sheer energy that Billy expended in performing on stage for over three hours - and then doing it all again for the Staurday night for a further three hour plus performance!  Well done Billy - you are a true inspiration!!