Rock and Roll Love Story : A Novel

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Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Headway
2007-06-15 21:23:00
One paper-bound copy of Rock and Roll Love Story went off to a person I love and trust. Another is sitting by another loved one's mantle waiting for summer vacation to read.People have read parts of it but I am still the only one who has read it all the way through.Hopefully by the end of summer, we'll have a better idea of when we go to press with this thing.

Shia LeBeouf is about the right age and look to p...
2007-06-10 19:58:00
Shia LeBeouf is about the right age and look to play Ronnie James DeRenzo at age 19.
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Oh brother
2007-06-10 02:32:00
Paris is incoherent? How could they tell? No, I'm really not enjoying Paris Hilton's predictament but it seems to me like her "deteriorating life threatening illness" is either a full fledged nervous breakdown or it's just a big act, a hissy fit by an incredibly spoiled brat who always got everything her way. And I suspect its the latter. I'm usually a strong advocate of mental health but I can tell you that I have witnessed numerous nervous breakdowns close up, and if it is true that Paris's mind snapped at the thought of living like a common criminal, the best place for her is in a medical ward of a psychiatric facility, which is where she seems to be right now. I could really do without the hour by hour updates, however. Bush met with the Pope today but that storied got buried...
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Outer Space
2007-06-09 03:57:00
Maybe we need some kind of new millennium truck to haul on up to the International Space Station and fix satelites. Maybe not. Maybe it would be cheaper to send up new satelites when the old ones go on the fritz.We've spent a lot of time and effort on the Space Shuttle and we dont have much to show for it. There's really nothing in space that we can use that's close enough for current technology to get to. If we could mine ore on the moon or Mars, it might be worth it. More likely the money wasted on a project like that could be put into recycling and mining the oceans.I'd like to see the USA pull the plug on NASA. Maybe we could spend the money on a new fuel for our cars or a cure for obesity and diabetes.That would be worthwhile.
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Immigration
2007-06-09 02:57:00
I've thought long and hard about this issue and I have struggled to say relevant that would shed some light on the situation.First of all there have to be many more than just 12 million illegal immigrants in this country. I work in the urban jungle outside of Newark and I have to tell you that at least half the people in the 'hood are illegal now, and in some places, like Union City and Paterson, they're almost all illegal. And theyre absolutely everywhere. In Newark and Paterson, and in super affluent Saddle River and Franklin Lakes - they even live in the expensive suburbs, 20 or 40 to a house.It seems like there are far more illegals working than Americans in the stores, construction and landscaping.Some of that is needed labor but some of that is just plain stealing jobs from Americans. The McDonalds in Bloomfield on the Garden State Parkway used to employ black Americans from the Newark area when I started going down that route in 2002. Five years later, all the blacks are g...
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Pathetic
2007-06-09 02:33:00
When John F. Kennedy visited foriegn countries, throngs of well wishers greeted him everywhere as a conquering hero. Those were the days when US Presidents lit a beacon of hope and freedom to the entire world, free and enslaved. He was a superstar!When Bush travels he needs 16,000 policemen in so-called friendly Allied nations to keep him from anti-American protestors. Someone remarked that 16,000 is twice the number of peace keeping troops that were sent to Darfur in the Sudan.It's beyond sad. It's pathetic and totally unacceptable. But Bush keeps on going on, despite the fact that people in his own party, people like Newt Gingrich, have called him a miserable failure. I really never expected to agree with Newt Gingrich on much of anything, but I have to tell you old Newt is a smart man, an old history professor, and while I dont usually agree with him, I have to respect what he says. And on this subject, I am whole heartedly in agreement.Jimmy Carter was right when he called Geo...
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Breaking my Rule
2007-06-09 02:01:00
If you've been here before you know that I sometimes pop off about current events and then I quickly remove my posts so that what remains is a clear and unadulterated view of the novel, Rock and Roll Love Story. While its not a political novel in any sense, its hero Ronnie James DeRenzo had a definate world view that is hatched as one of the squeezed generation of Americans sandwiched in between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. With a foot in both worlds, he's really not a part of either one. And there are tens of millions of Americans like him -- like me.I have decided that as an artist I really need to speak out more against the insanity I see in the world, because there are a lot of other artists out there speaking for causes, and they really don't have the education that I have had. That's not a knock on all of them, and while I may not agree with them, I do admire that they're using their wealth and fame for constructive purposes.After all, someone like Bono or Sheryl Cr...
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Jail
2007-06-09 01:39:00
This is probably the first time in her life that Paris Hilton has had to do something difficult or unpleasant without her doting, incredibly wealthy parents bailing her out and making life too easy for her. While I don't enjoy anyone's suffering, and while I do know what its like to be held against your will in a rotten situation, I can't say that this whole episode won't be good for Paris in the long run. With her reckless sexual exploits, her alcohol binging and drug taking totally out of control, she really needs a love of tough love and good old fashioned discipline. You can bet that her parents, her publicist and the sycophant hangers on she calls her friends weren't going tell the truth she needed so desperately to hear. 45 days in jail is really not so bad. It's just long enough to humble you but not long enough to do you any harm. I hope when she gets out she's learned her lesson.
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Calm down Vladimir
2007-06-09 01:15:00
I really do understand the Russians this time. If you had George Bush and his band of idiots waving nuclear weapons in your backyard, you'd be paranoid too.Putin made some very good suggestions. Anti-missle systems on Aegis Cruisers based at sea could be moved around at will and would not involve targeting another European country like Poland. They could be based in the Straits of Hormuz or Persian Gulf where they could shoot down Iranian missles almost instaneously. If you put them in Turkey, a long time NATO ally, they would be closer to Iran and could cover all of Europe, not just parts.Bush mouthed some platitudes to try to calm down Putin and his mouth piece Condi Rice turned around a day and said effectively that the Pentagon would go ahead with the Polish missle systems and God Damn the Russians.This is just one more in a long series of grievous errors and horrific arrogance that the Bush Administration has shown in dealing with our allies. The bottom line is that we despera...
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Bono and Africa
2007-06-09 01:01:00
Just how many billions of dollars worth of Western aid to we have to send to corrupt Africa n governments who's presidents and generals swindle the money meant for the people? How many times do we have to see millionaire rock stars line up for rock concerts for Africa where both the people who are playing and people who are attending really couldn't give a damn about the starving, disease ridden rabble in Africa? If you think this is cruel, Bono , ask someone from Africa what they think! They are very tried of unkempt Irish rock stars portraying them as helpless, hapless stick figures who need the Great White Redeemer to run their affairs. They'd like the Europeans and the Americans to mind their own business and let them stand on their own two feet. The great irony of the "Do They Know its Christmas" campaign of the 80's for instance was that the people who they said they were trying to save were not Christians. They didnt even bother to check that. The evidence suggests that Wes...

The Counter
2007-06-08 21:43:00
Blogpatrol, which has been the counter since day one, is down (again) If youre interested, the counter showed 1900 hits when ShinyStat, a more accurate and reliable counter, was added to the page. That means about 7,500 or more have visited this site since March 2005.
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A Day in the Life
2007-06-08 21:39:00
Paris is back in jail, Richie Sambora is in rehab and Lindsay Lohan hasnt gotten out yet. I really hope everyone behaves themself, that everyone gets better. It's not a very good time to be an out of control celebrity. If you want to fight the law, the law is going to win.I had the day off today and I was so busy running errands I couldnt find time to say, think or do anything about the novel.
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The Horsemen of Despair
2007-06-06 02:38:00
Poverty, drug abuse, alcoholism, AIDS, homelessness, mental illness, crime -- all of these things go together in America because we really lack a comprehesive universal health system to treat all of the afflictions. But it goes beyond merely having adequate insurance. Many mentally ill people or addicts do get charity care or Medicaid.But that isn't enough.Short of permanently hospitalizing mentally ill people -- which is what was done at great cost and to the great loss of their freedom and civil rights -- we really need a fundamental change in the way we care for American citizens who unable to care for themselves.A shelter bed here and there is not enough. A Section Eight housing project that turns into a neglected slum is not the answer.
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Jail
2007-06-04 23:16:00
I've certainly had my own problems and when it comes to moralizing, I turn my guns on the rich and powerful who prey off or ignore the weak, the helpless, the every day Americans. When Lindsay and Britney had their problems I was here begging them to get into rehab, and when they saw the light, I stood by them 100%. Rock and Roll Love Story is a tale of conquering mental illness, and drug and alcohol problems, while not technically a biological organic illness, are certain a disease.What then to make of Paris Hilton? I honestly don't know what to say about Paris. My novel has its share of sexy women who are uninhibited and outrageous. But they're all strong characters who are integral to the band's success, from Shelly to Abby, and even in her meek way, little Madeline. Paris is famous for being famous and not much else. I don't think she means any harm. I don't think she is an evil person. I could get cheap blog hits by mentioning her name and devising a place for her in my w...
More About: Jail

Father's Day
2007-06-04 15:37:00
Rocket's father, like my own father, bear a startling resemblance to fitness guru Jack LaLanne. It was Rocket's father who advised him to drop out of college, follow the band to Athens, Georgia to meet REM and The B52's and follow his dream. He had a plan B, to come back when his wild oats were sowed, go to computer school, and go into business together.Rocket listens to his father after a fateful encounter with the magical Leafstone in his front yard. My Dad gave me the same advice but I stayed in school, where the dream died. Until Rock and Roll Love Story!!!
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Aerosmith babe Alicia Silverstone is a dead ringe...
2007-06-04 15:35:00
Aerosmith babe Alicia Silverstone is a dead ringer for the real life girl who inspired the character of Paddlin Madeline, Rocket's first girlfriend.
More About: Aerosmith , Dead , Smith

Boys of Summer
2007-06-03 13:47:00
In Book Two, The Ocean, Rocket is a music studio executive with a billion dollars to spend, and he sets his sights high. When his rock star daughter Lana falls in love with a New York Yankee infielder who is supposedly "The Next Derek Jeter", Rocket teams up with Donald Trump to steal away the prospect for the California Angels, his adopted team. While The Donald distracts George with offers to buy the Yankees, Rocket sneaks off with a side deal for the prospect...Anything for love!
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Progress
2007-06-03 00:30:00
I took a trip to Staples yesterday on my day off and I had Rock and Roll Love Story : Book One : The River printed and bound.A woman who was very important to the story has the summer off, and she is going to be reading it through. She will be only the second person to read the whole story -- I was the first.This person, who I will not identify just yet, is an excellent proof reader. In fact, at one point she was working for the same local newspaper that I would work for a year later. I didn't know her then -- we just kept missing each other all our lives -- but I used to read her clips as background to the stories.Very obviously this is a very karmic moment for the book.I will keep you posted!
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Never Forget
2007-05-28 17:55:00
For most Americans its a day of barbeques, parades and picnics. For Pat Tillman, left, and Casey Sheehan, right, there will be no more Memorial Days. Please remember wherever you are to thank our service people for their sacrifices. So that the good shall not die in vain...
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Co-starring
2007-05-28 15:46:00
The Fabulous Shelly's best girlfriend is brunette fashion design student, Julie Hiller, who is drummer Charlie Torino's main squeeze. Think Jessica Alba, left, or Keira Knightly, right....
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The Look of The Fabulous Shelly
2007-05-28 14:25:00
The Fabulous Shelly, Rocket's love of his life, is a beautiful, glamorous blonde like Kirsten Dunst, left, or Scarlett Johansson, right. She is more than just a girlfriend. She is the group's photographer, publicist and muse.
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A Message of Support
2007-05-27 18:55:00
Wild Child Lindsay Lohan is in trouble again, and as older guy who wrote a book about music and mental health, I'd like to wish her a speedy recovery and quick resolution to her legal problems. When you're in over your head, you need everyone's love and understanding, and yes unfortunately sometimes that needs to be tough love. If you're reading this Lindsay, I'm with you all the way... Let me also say that Lindsay is just about the right age and look to play either Shelly or Abby in the first book, the one that is nearing publication. On the face of it, I'd have to say her mercurial nature would be a better fit for Abby, the frustrated first wife of Johnny Rocket.
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Lori Maddox, left, and Pamela DeBarre, right, we...
2007-05-27 18:42:00
Lori Maddox , left, and Pamela DeBarr e, right, were two of the world's most famous groupies, the girlfriend's respectively of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppillen. They inspired the characters of Shelly and Julie, who are the girlfriends of guitarist Ronnie "Rocket" DeRenzo and drummer Charlie Torino.
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1967-2007
2007-05-27 17:53:00
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer. 40 years ago today, it was The Summer of Love, the beginning of the hippie era in the United States! 11 years later, Ronnie James DeRenzo stands at the top of the Stairway to Heaven at State College and can't believe that he has missed it!

Lonely Hearts Club Band is 40
2007-05-27 16:50:00
This week marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Sergeant Pepper, the Beatles revolutionary LP, the first rock albums to have a theme. Rock and Roll Love Story's Speed Limit covers early Beatles hits and Rocket compares himself to John Lennon to bassist Dom Schubert's Paul McCartney. However, it is Rocket who is more sentimental, and Dom more cynical...
More About: Band , Club , Hearts , Lone , Lonely

Another Day
2007-05-26 17:52:00
I promised you a surprise yesterday but I took a long look at the Prologue for Rock and Roll Love Story, the chapter that introduces you to the young Rocket in his Highlands setting and I decided it was much too long to post on a blog of this size right now.Maybe another day!

Today is My Birthday
2007-05-26 14:20:00
And it's Stevie Nick's birthday too....Stevie is the witchy goddess who was one of the inspirations for The Fabulous Shelly groupie, and also for Krissy Shooter, the Wiccan go go dancer in Book Three.
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Intentional slowdown
2007-05-23 16:25:00
This is post is the 96th up here and there have been many more in the past that I took down. I used to blog about news, politics and the current state of music. I used to blog about new artists and the doings of the veterans who influenced these two novels I am publicizing. If you stay tuned, I may yet do a little more of that.However by design, this blog will shrink down to a smaller number of posts that you can actually read in a few hours, should you be so inclined. It will answer some basic questions about the books, and provide updates on the status of the publication.I said early on that this blog would be an early preview that might have more information about me and my life, and how my real life mirrored Rocket's and how his character was influenced by things that happen to me.Much of that personal data has been removed, and I remain very anonymous. As we get close to publication -- and I am still looking for that copy editor and several important people around me to proof ...
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Enough for now
2007-05-19 23:16:00
If you've been here before you saw some posts about Book Three, which is at the moment just a concept and hasnt seen a single word set down in print.I've removed those posts and I've decided to concentrate on Book One. Even Book Two, which is past the first draft, will receive minimal attention here.My goal is to get Rock and Roll Love Story : Book One : The River into shape for a copy editor. And then hopefully we can think about publishing it finally so you can read it.

Mercurial
2007-05-18 03:42:00
Reese Witherspoon looks a lot like Abby Warner
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