the Rock Report

Well, according to the website of the UK band, Oasis, it’s official.

Noel Gallagher — who, along with brother Liam, created the group — has left the band.

In fact, his reasoning is simple: According to the singer, he can’t get along with his guitarist brother.
Of course, anyone who’s followed the band (probably best known for their hit, Wonderwall) knows that whatever happens within the band in never “set in stone”. They’ve been prone to angry outbursts, personnel difficulties and even on-stage problems for years now.

If Noel actually does make his departure permanent, will this be the end of the raucous band?? Only time will tell … but if I hear anything new, you’ll certainly be the first to know, okay??

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO TEDDY

Today, with the funeral and burial of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), we said goodbye to an oasis of a different kind …

When we look back at the turbulent late-Sixties, many of us see the Kennedy brothers as a respite against the hawkish ultra-conservatives whom we often blamed for our involvement in Vietnam as well as many social ills we were facing.

Over the years, and long after both John and Bobby left us, we began to see “Teddy” as one who, although part of that mighty Hyannisport dynasty, championed the cause of the common man.
Yes, he had his drinking problem (which was overcome with the help of his lovely second wife, Vicki).  Of course, we remember Chappaquiddick … but he honestly repented for that and had more than made up for it (besides, over the past forty years, we’ve seen infinite similar cases where severe emotional trauma causes immediately-irrational behaviour).
But, while his entire personal record wasn’t perfect (and he spent years expunging and cleaning it), his desire to serve and bring relief and justice for all people was undeniable.

At the end, Teddy was working with the President and others to formulate a new and improved health-care package for Americans who need it.  His last few days — at least those where he was awake and aware — were filled with song, laughter … and concern for those issues that were directly affecting the people of this country.

One TRR reader put it this way:  “In the Congress Ted Kennedy was the closest thing to a major rock star than any one could imagine.”  I’m inclined to agree …

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