Why the Daleks Don’t Like Van Halen: Part 2

Some day, I'd like to visit the Royal Albert Hall.
Perhaps for a concert by Van Halen?

It’s fitting that we never hear music played in the first Doctor story “The Dalek Invasion of Earth.”  Those humans who have survived the Dalek bombardment, and thus far managed to evade capture, join the resistance movement.  Yet no one smiles or laughs: the Daleks have driven all joy from their lives.  When their attack on the Dalek spaceport fails, Barbara and Jenny push Dorman’s wheelchair through London in a mad dash to escape the city.  They travel across Westminster Bridge and through Trafalgar Square.  One of the buildings that lay in their path is the Royal Albert Hall.  Barbara, Jenny, and Dortman skirt the far side of the royal Hall to avoid the Daleks surrounding the Prince Albert Memorial. 

I don’t know if Van Halen has ever played at the Royal Albert Hall.  I don’t know that they ever will.  Yet the concert hall has hosted similar rock music acts, and continues to do so.  And it is this building, built to commemorate a prince who promoted the arts, that helps them survive.  While these soulless aliens have robbed the humans of everything that lightened their spirits, two members of this desperate human trio will ultimately go on to defeat the Daleks.  I find a delicious irony in that.

With the release of "A Different Kind of Truth,"
Van Halen (and my life) come full circle.

Since we’ve returned from England, the original lineup of Van Halen, apart from Michael Anthony, has reunited and released a new album.  I’ll admit it: I wondered if they could create the same magic they had once found together.  I needn’t have worried.  Their new songs resonate in me today, just as fully as the ones they recorded in the 1970s and 80s.  I had not realized I had missed them so.  The original lineup’s breakup had left a void inside me.  Perhaps it had even ceased to ache.  More likely, their absence had been covered over by all the other little knocks we receive, from so many sources, over the decades.  But now, hearing their distinctive sound, energy and thoughts again, I am torn.  Part of me aches at what has been lost: all the great music these incredibly talented men could have created, had they stayed together.  But another part of me rejoices.  For they have returned and filled the void inside me. 

New songs such as “Tattoo,” “China Town,” and “Stay Frosty” merge with older favorites like “Jaime’s Cryin’,” “Dance the Night Away,” and ”Pretty Woman.”  In doing so, they have inscribed themselves into the soundtrack of my life. 

Related Dragon Cache entries

A History of Conflict

Those Fearsome Daleks

The Penultimate Stop on our Dalek Adventure

Related Internet Links

Doctor Who locations for “The Dalek Invasion of Earth”

Van Halen’s Website

Why the Daleks Don’t Like Van Halen: Part 1

In the Doctor Who story "The Chase,"
the Daleks pursue the Tardis
in their own, newer time machine.

Isn’t it amazing how music brings us together?  Whether sung in churches, in public houses, or in concert venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, music brings out something special in us.  It unites us in a way not easy to define.  The sound of finely tuned instruments and voices lifted in song lightens the soul.  Lyrics inspired by fiction, tradition, and historical events flow through our minds, and become part of the soundtrack of our lives.  Music can make us feel more energized and alive than the most potent drugs.  Songs can evoke emotions from within us that we had thought locked up and forgotten.  The best music fuses with the universal human experience, or the consciousness of our day, and thus creates communities out of disparate individuals.

In Junior High School, when my own individual tastes began to diverge from that of my parents and my church, one of the first music groups I bonded with was Van Halen.  I don’t think there was one particular aspect of the group that I liked more than any other.  David Lee Roth’s singing radiated individuality and vitality.  Eddie Van Halen played his guitar with enthusiasm and artistry.  Michael Anthony’s bass guitar, and Alex Van Halen’s drums, served as the foundation of the group, rooting and grounding the ensemble’s signature sound.  When I started to make my own money, theirs were the first records I bought.  Their songs made me smile, filled me with energy, and helped me see the world in a more complete fashion.  At least they did until I destroyed them.

The Daleks pursue the Doctor and his companions
across space and time.

One summer, our pastor hired a youth leader.  He came to our church, befriended us, and spoke with an intelligence and passion that impressed us all.  Then one Sunday night, he delivered a sermon that transfixed us.  His usage of scripture struck terror into our hearts.  What was his message?  How Satan used secular rock music to corrupt our souls, and separate us from God.  I don’t remember the particulars of what he said, but I do remember the result.  Many of us went home and broke all the records, eight-tracks tapes, and cassette tapes in our collections.

I’ve always regretted those acts of ruthless violence.  In destroying my beloved music library, I created a void in my heart that nothing else (not even the best Christian Rock music) could fill.  It took awhile, but over time, I came to realize how the man’s arguments, and my consequent actions, had left me bereft.  It took several years, but gradually I replaced most of what had been lost, thus regaining the songs so precious to me.

The Tardis finally lands on a planet with man-eating plants,
where the Doctor & company decide to make their stand.

In the original “Doctor Who” series, one of my favorite moments from the first Doctor era comes in “The Chase.”  Through the Time-Space Visualiser, the Doctor is able to tune into a Beatles concert.  Suddenly everyone in the Tardis comes to life.  While Vicki, Ian, and Barbara have been happy and joyous in other stories, they never seemed so alive to me as when they were dancing to the Beatles music in the Tardis.  Sadly, no doubt due to legal and financial considerations, this footage has been edited from the recent DVD release, at least for Region 1 (in the United States). 

This blog will conclude with Why the Daleks Don’t Like Van Halen: Part 2.

But they don't count on a look-a-like Doctor,
or the Mechonoids who lay in wait for them.

Related Dragon Cache entries

Westminster Bridge in Color, and in Black and White

Lions and Daleks and Wizards, oh my!

Faith, Religion, and the English People

Related Internet Links

Royal Albert Hall

Doctor Who: “The Chase”

Prince Albert’s Message for Friday

Prince Albert watches in silence,

Contemplation all day long, 

Yet he, like us,

Is never truly alone.

What Endures

Last weekend I was able to start work on a blog entry about the Royal Albert Hall, my favorite music group, and the Daleks, which I’ll finish up and share with you this weekend.  As for last Sunday…phew!  Due to Church, the long drive home, and the stops along the way, I didn’t get any writing done.  Normally I fear breaking off for even a day.  Might the exhaustion linger, and defy my efforts to catch up with last week's trains of thought?

Monday morning, given my exhausted state, I considered breaking my vow to blog everyday if I possibly could.  I had no real plans for what to say.  Yet from my fatigued mind sprouted a three-pronged blog entry, which has served as the foundation for this week’s series.  I usually regard planning as essential in any endeavor.  It's nice to know that innovation can occur when you least expect it.  I’ve been relatively pleased with this series of musings, and I hope you’ve enjoyed them too.  If not, don’t worry: something approaching regular service will resume tomorrow.  

Today’s portion of the inscription on the Royal Albert Hall reads:

The site was purchased with the proceeds of the Great Exhibition of the year MDCCCLI. The first stone of the Hall was laid by Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the twentieth day of May MDCCCLXVII and it was opened by Her Majesty the Twenty Ninth of March in the year MDCCCLXXI.

Foresight and planning

Laying a secure foundation

A structure that has endured.

How have the plans for your life matured to this point?  Did you lay the proper foundation?  Is what you have built capable of withstanding changes, and even profiting by them?

Dragon Dave

Prince Albert’s Message for Thursday

I wonder if he's solid,
Or concrete painted gold.
Maybe he's really chocolate.
Let's peel away the wrapper
And find out.

Two Voices Raised in Song

Despite all my experience and training, my voice no longer works as readily as I would like.  Perhaps it’s heredity.  Maybe it’s sinus drainage, or simply lack of use.  After all, as I work on my own, I have no reason to talk or sing to myself. 

Not that I don’t occasionally talk--or even sing--to myself, but that’s neither here nor there.  Nor do I talk about how I talk to myself: that would be too introspective!  

Whatever the reason, I no longer look forward to singing in Church.  Sometimes, I can’t even manage conversation without sounding all crackly.  This fact, along with my writing, doesn’t help me remember my Speech Therapist’s instructions and practice my vocal exercises.  So I arrived at my mother’s house without having practiced a song for Sunday.

Linda kindly offered to sing with me, and we practiced twice on Saturday with my mother.  Still, as we stood before the congregation, I worried: would I project clear tones, or merely crackle. 

Humility forbids I offer you a review of our singing.  The pastor seemed to enjoy our duet though.  As we returned to our seats, he quipped, “Do you have any CDs available?  At lunch a number of us invaded a local restaurant.  There, he asked, “How many CDs have you made?”  Then to me: “Do you lead the singing at your church?  You should!”  Of course, he repeated his kind offer that we were welcome to return and sing any time.

I’m not used to thinking of my voice as special.  Perhaps I run with the wrong crowd.  Or maybe some people are just more appreciative than others.  All of us have unique talents and abilities, even if we don’t perceive them.  For each gift, there must be a community who would respond to what we have to offer.  It’s up to us to find them. 

In serving them, we are likewise blessed.  (Not that the latter's a consideration.  Right?)

Now, on with Prince Albert’s message for today.  I don’t have a photo for the remaining inscription on the Royal Albert Hall, but it carries on from yesterday with:

"And works of all nations in fulfillment
of the intention of Albert Prince Consort."

So what do we have?

Prince Albert desires

The advancement of all nations

Through their works.

What?  He's not primarily in the advance of his own nation, his own people, the crowd or group or club with whom he identifies? Really?  Could anyone be that selfless?  (That is, apart from enlightened folks like you and me?)

Dragon Dave

Prince Albert’s Message for Tuesday

So many people
Arriving and departing.
I wonder if they ever stop
to admire the building,
or think about what
it's trying to say.

Want to hear a little about my weekend?  (Sure you do).

Saturday...phew!  A long drive up to Los Angeles, another drive to a Mexican restaurant, then ran an errand with Mother and friend.  A great lunch though: a steak burrito with a chili relleno inside it.  A first for me: muy delicious!  Gracias, Mamma y amiga!  In the evening, we hopped in the car again, this time to attend a surprise birthday party for a family member.  

There, we were asked the inevitable question from the person’s friends: “Now how do you know _______?”  I don’t know how we’re related: it’s one of those extended-family things.  She’s a cousin-ish.  Why do people always expect you to understand all the branchings in a family tree?

At any rate, she was REALLY surprised (and pleasantly surprised), so it was all good.  

Now, on to today's inspiring inscriptions.

Glory be to God on high,
and on Earth, peace.

Work

Thanking the Divine

Peace

Could the secret of life really be that easy?
Dragon Dave

Prince Albert’s Message for Monday

Buses stop outside the Royal Albert Hall.
They drop off passengers.
They pick up passengers.
They move on.
(As does life).

Vrrum.
Vrummm.
Vrummmmmmmm!

I apologize to those of you who enjoy my long, text-based blog posts.  This won’t be one of those.  Last weekend, while a great chance to reunite with family, nonetheless left me exhausted.  

Despite my desire to inspire you each day, I am beginning to realize how much of my mental focus it takes to write seven essays of my usual length every week for Dragon Cache.  (That's not to say that you are not worth it!)  I need to be devoting sufficient time to my primary task: writing my novels and getting them published.  After all, that's what people say that they really want from me.  So....

The Wise and their works
are in the Hand of God.

Wisdom.  

Great feats of industry.  

Divine Protection.

May this message, from the Royal Albert Hall in London, spur on your own efforts today.

Dragon Dave

Hercule Poirot at the Royal Albert Hall

I cannot say that I was ever a great singer.  I would guess that, had I pursued such a career, my voice would rank in the lower echelons of the talented.  This is not to say that I have not starred in numerous productions.  Growing up, I played the lead in a musical called “Sam,” based on the story of the Good Samaritan.  I played the poor traveler who gets beaten up by robbers.  Much to the director’s ire, I insisted upon putting up quite a fight before falling on the stage.  But then again, as my the director was my mother, she knew what I was like when she cast me, right?  

Later, in my teens, I played the lead in “Psalty’s Christmas Calamity,” a children’s production.  I had to wear a life-sized songbook made out of foam, and have my hair spray-painted blue.  It was great fun to dance and sing on stage with the kids, even if the production was performed in our small church.

In college, I tried out for several music groups, and enjoyed singing with Male Chorale for three years.  The director always demanded the best from us.  Yet unlike other directors, he recognized that most of us were not music majors.  He cut us the slack to just be ourselves, even if our antics got him called up before the hierarchy more than once.  (Okay, on a regular basis).  Those Spring Break tours were special.  Heck, we practiced together every day during the week.  Each moment together was special!

The Royal Albert Hall,
as seen from across the street at
the Prince Albert Memorial.

The Royal Albert Hall was built in 1871, and forms the functional part of the Albert Memorial.  Like the latter, it was built to commemorate Prince Albert’s desire to enlighten his citizens through a cultivation of the arts.  Many important musicians and groups have performed there, from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Led Zeppelin to Adele.  Great artists such as these rely on more than just the quality of their voices.  They have to master their instruments.  They have to create songs that resonate with their audience.  They must adopt a style that defines them, one so unique that they emerge from all the other up-and-coming artists crying out for the public’s attention.  Whether I could have found something truly special within myself, I’ll never know, for I never pursued music as a career.  

It didn’t occur while we were in London, but later during our vacation, as we flipped channels one evening in our apartment at a former English Manor, we came across a Hercule Poirot mystery.  In the show, Poirot stands atop the Albert Memorial next to another man, someone who may be his helper in solving the mystery, or may be a suspect.  The two men stare down at the Royal Albert Hall as they talk.  Even thought we had left London behind, we could not help but smile as we watched them stand next to the impressive carvings, and the gold leaf-covered statue of Prince Albert.  We had stood there (albeit on the other side of that intricate brown and gold fence).  We had stared down at that concert hall, and appreciated its unique design and decoration.  

While I sing far less than I used to, I occasionally sing a special in church.  Today, as it happens, I’m singing in my mother’s church: not because I’m a great singer, but because I know that doing so will mean a lot to her.  I cannot imagine a circumstance in which I would ever be invited to sing in the Royal Albert Hall.  But that’s okay.  For no matter how glorious the venue, what matters is that I give of my best in all that I do, and that I seek to enrich the lives of others.  Ultimately, that’s what all art should be about, don’t you agree?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there, and to all those who seek to make this day special for those whom they love.

Related Dragon Cache entries

Where State and Church are One: Part 1

Audrey, Richard, and the Unknown Constable

My Uncle, Hercule Poirot