Jon Ellison

 Happy New Year readers! Entering 2024 brings a mix of reflections and hopes. The lows of the past year, marked by global challenges and personal loss, are acknowledged. The struggles of countries like Ukraine, conflicts, and the ever-present cost-of-living crisis are on the forefront.  Of course, we lost some famous faces in 2023. They include; Adan Rich Alan Arkin Algy Ward Annette McCarthy Arthur Schmidt Barbara Bosson Barbara Bryne Barrett Strong Bernadette Hunt aka Falcon from Gladiators Bill Butler Billy The Kid Bo Goldman Brian Tufano Bruce Bould Burny Mattinson Burt Bacharach Burt Young Charles E. Bastien Chas Newby Dale Meeks David Crosby David Elliott Dee Dee Wood Donald W. Ernst Doreen Mantle Droz Earl Bohen George Armstrong Gloria Dee Harry Belafonte Ian Bairnson Jean Boht Jerry Springer Jim Gordon Joe Fagin John Gosling John Nettleton John Waddington Keith Reid Lawrence Turman Lisa Marie Presley Mark Gilpin Mark Goddard Mark Margolis Mark Stewart Matthew Perry Michael Gamb

 Throughout general history, some fans of certain bands have stated that "(insert band)'s not the same without (insert a certain band member)". For instance, personally, I prefer the Electric Light Orchestra when Roy Wood was a member during the first couple of years - not to say that I didn't enjoy any of their later material at all. My reasons relate to the artistry. However, I always felt that Roxy Music remained as awesome as when Brian Eno performed with them. In fact, I can say the same thing about Yes and the material they performed with and without Rick Wakeman. As some readers of my previous blogs may know, Rick Wakeman is one of my personal favourite musicians of all time . My Dad had purchased a few of his albums; The Six Wives Of Henry VIII , Journey To The Centre Of The Earth , The Myths & Legends Of King Arthur and the Knights Of The Round Table , No Earthly Connection and White Rock . Each one of them has blown me away ever since, thanks to Rick