OK, this little roller coaster ride is gonna take some interesting twists and turns. Because I’m leading off with content from a meme. I’ve seen different versions of it making the rounds. And the gist of it is “They say don’t question the science. But that’s exactly the opposite of how science works.”
I agree. Don’t question the science.
At least not when it’s right.
But when it tells you that a mask from Home Depot is protection against tiny viruses, question the science. And when it postulates the origin of the species as from goo to the zoo to you, question the science.
I love science. And math. And an occasional lighthearted skip down the existential garden path. But don’t be tryin’ to blind me with no science, Mr. Dolby!
Speaking of Thomas Dolby, the inventor of smooth audio processing. No, wait. Wrong Dolby. Thomas Dolby had the big 80’s hit, “She Blinded Me With Science.” I’m a big fan of the juxtaposed rhythms and layered synth sounds. And I enjoy quirky lyrics, so there’s that, too.
But I didn’t realize, until today, that Thomas Dolby played the distinctive synthesizer part on the song, “Waiting For A Girl Like You” by Foreigner. How cool is that! I love that song. And the synth pad really adds to the mournful melodic undertones.
When I say I LOVE that song, it’s not exaggeration.
I added it to my solo repertoire back in the day. And it was one of those songs that most live acts didn’t play in the original key because the vocal is very high. But, in case you never heard me in any live venues, I didn’t shy away from high vocals.
One fun memory I have that’s associated with that song is from a night in Blackhawk, Colorado. I was booked as a solo in a casino there. And a couple of friends, Chaz and Kirk (a very popular duo in the area at the time) came in, on a break from their gig, just as I was singing the chorus. And they yelled out, “We knew it was you! Nobody else up here goes up to those high notes.”
I miss those guys. Wonder what they’re up to these days.
Anyway…
“Waiting For A Girl Like You” was co-written by Foreigner members Mick Jones and Lou Gramm. And Lou was the lead singer. He had a great rock voice. High, strong, and full. A perfect fit for their long list of hit songs.
Yeah, their first 8 releases broke into the Billboard Top 20. And no other band had done that since the Beatles. So, no small thang.
But, wouldn’t you know it. Lou jumped into the drugs and alcohol pit. I know. Shocker that a rocker would do such a thing. But nevertheless.
Mr. Gramm also became a born-again Christian. Another shocker, but for real this time. And, get this, it didn’t happen after or during his drug rehabilitation.
It happened before.
I saw a blurb from an interview he had at Fox News. And Lou said this:
“That happened just literally before Hazelden ( an addiction treatment center). We had played a sold out concert at Madison Square Garden and there was the record company party afterwards that lasted until four or five in the morning. Everybody was in that condition. And I ended up back in my hotel room. Of course I wasn’t able to sleep. I just started doing a little self assessment. And thinking about what I had become and was very upset about it. And worried about my children seeing me like this. I finally fell to my knees and asked God to take this plague away from me. I’m a devout born-again Christian. God plays a role in everything I do. I know he gave me life and saved my life. I serve him.”
According to info I’ve seen, that was in 1992.
So, as you might imagine, Lou Gramm‘s life has been full of milk and honey ever since.
Screech! Imagine again. Because five years later, in 1997, he was diagnosed with what they called “an inoperable brain tumor.” Have you ever heard of craniopharyngioma? Me neither. Thankfully the tumor was benign. But it damaged his pituitary gland. That, along with the treatment and recovery program caused him to gain weight and lose his voice.
Yikes, that’s something else I can relate to.
And it’s a singer’s worst nightmare.
But he worked his way back into the spotlight. And I’ve seen that he was on tour with the Lou Gramm Allstars this year. I don’t have any info on that right now. But the point is, he didn’t give up. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that had a lot to do with his connection to God.
Lou had new songs in the works. And apparently he has five kids. So, plenty to live for.
It does my heart good to hear that a singer I’ve enjoyed, through the years, has learned the power of submission to the one, true, living, loving, Creator of musicians and music. And I never question the art and science behind God’s logic and reason.
Stay tuned,
