I can make the connections from some quirky directions sometimes. They’re not always important. And often they’re probably only interesting to me. This might be one of those times. But a couple of unrelated articles connected in the eccentric region of my brain this morning. And I’m gonna share a little of what the U.S. Mint has in common with rock music.
If you don’t make the connections, that’s OK.
Feel free to believe it comes from a life of drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll. That’s the polar opposite of the truth. But feel free to believe it.
Anyway…
A few years further back than I can even remember, the U.S. Mint, in Philadelphia, produced 1,758 of the first silver dollars ever. From what I’ve read, there are probably only about 130 of the left. So, that makes ’em rare and valuable.
In fact, it might have been the very first one of those silver dollars that sold for a record $10 million in 2013. It’s a coin that features Lady Liberty on one side, and it’s also called the “Flowing Hair” dollar.
So, there’s a nice investment tip for you. If you have one of those silver dollars, you could turn it into millions. Boom! One coin. One nice retirement nest egg.
But how’s that all connected to rock music, you might ask?
Well, a songwriter, who also was a co-founder of a very famous southern rock band, wrote a song called “Midnight Rider.” It was supposedly about a fictional character. And, from what I’ve read about the origin of the song, it was more than a little influenced by some sort of burning weed.
But, now, here’s how I make the connections.
That songwriter I mentioned was Gregg Allman. He was a member and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band. And he wrote “Midnight Rider.” Gregg was easily recognized by his long, flowing hair. And the lyrics mention, in every verse, how the midnight rider’s “got one more silver dollar.”
So, pretty cool connection. Right?
Gregg Allman died in 2017 from complications of liver cancer. I didn’t know him personally. So, I have no idea where he is now. Yes, I know that sounds weird to people who think your days here on Earth are all you’re gonna have. But Gregg IS somewhere right now.
But more importantly, to the whole connections thing, is the fact that today, December 8, marks his birthday. He’d be 75.
Here’s a link to a video of the song Midnight Rider, performed by Gregg Allman, Zac Brown, and Vince Gill. Copy and paste the link. I really like the song and its mournful, bluesy feel.
(https://youtu.be/TLbnWr1-Qsc)
Well, I’ve got to run to keep from hidin’And I’m bound to keep on ridin’And I’ve got one more silver dollarBut I’m not gonna let ’em catch me, noNot gonna let ’em catch the midnight rider
Stay tuned,
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