Music and memories

I grew up in the 1960’s, still the best decade of music ever to be produced, at least in my opinion and the opinion of many others.  Among my favorites were the Four Seasons and the Beach Boys who had somewhat of an east coast – west coast rivalry prior to the British invasion.  The Four Seasons were the Jersey boys featuring the sound of Frankie Valli, and the Beach Boys mastered the California sound of surf and cars from the genius of Brian Wilson.  Both are still around, and both made the newspapers this past week.   

Frankie Valli turned 90 years old this month and is still performing concert dates.  Having had such a long successful career, one would think his worries would be over.  Unfortunately, a judge had to grant Frankie and his son Emilio, a restraining order against another son, Francesco, who Emilio said is addicted to opiates and has been selling Frankie’s personal property to fuel his addiction.  Frankie had been financially supporting Francesco, but made that support contingent on him seeking treatment for his addiction.  Subsequently, Francesco has been threatening violence toward Frankie and Emilio.  Sad that at 90 years old, Frankie still has to fear his safety from his own son.  Drug addiction is a terrible thing.

Brian Wilson also made the news this week when it was revealed that he suffers from dementia at the age of 81.  His wife Melinda had been caring for him but sadly, she passed away in January.  This past week, a judge placed Brian under a conservatorship at the request of his family.  His mental health had always been fragile and it is a blessing that he as survived this long.  The court ruled that Brian can no longer make health care or financial decisions in the state that he is in.  His seven children, including five he and Melinda adopted, signed a statement agreeing that the conservatorship is in Brian’s best interest.

Fortune and fame are no guarantees for a carefree life.  Addiction and mental illness affect people in all walks of life.  Music can be an avenue of escape for the realities that burden our thoughts every day.  I doubt that either of these men realize the joy they have brought to millions of people over the past 65 years.  I don’t remember where I heard it, but someone recently remarked that the day will come when no one on earth will remember we ever existed.  Successful recording artists stand to be remembered longer than the rest of us.  Their music will live on long after they are gone.

I wonder how long will I be remembered.  How long before there is no record or memory left of my existence on earth?  Things come into existence and go out of existence.  That is the reality of God’s creation.  At the second coming of Christ, will anyone understand what life was like in the twenty-first century or will the twenty-first century be ancient history by then?  The thought of it makes me wonder why I am bothering to write this!  The answer, of course, is because we believe in everlasting life.  While we will eventually be forgotten here on earth, God will not forget us.  Our corporeal and spiritual efforts help ensure that we will spend eternity in heaven. How long will be remembered here on earth?  God only knows, so let’s hang on to what we’ve got!