In 1964 a band was born that I am sure you never heard of, “The Beatles Minus One”. It was the first band I ever played in. I doubt the names Bill, Bob and Joe ring with the same awe as John, Paul, George and…We had no bass player hence the “Minus One”(original or perhaps sad). I am still a great fan of the Fab 4’s music and history, so when a documentary on the life of their record producer Sir George Martin was released I bought it.
In the early 1980’s Martin built a recording studio on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. The studio was called AIR Studios, and many major artists recorded there. But in 1989 disaster struck, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the studio. The grand piano full of water, the electronics in the recording console and tape machines, full of mold; AIR Studios Montserrat’s illustrious ride was over. Sir George now in his late 80’s, along with his wife Judy, went back and toured the shambles of the once renowned studio. As he told stories of a glorious yesteryear he reflected; “It’s like anything in life isn’t it? Everything has a period…you bring something out of nothing and it always goes back to nothing again.” It’s true the seasons of life are something we all experience, like it or not.
With the Beatles era came a wave of new bands being birthed throughout the world, thankfully most had more original names than ours. An American band that emerged during that time, the Byrds, recorded a song in 1965 called, “Turn,Turn,Turn”. Let me give you a sense of the lyric, “To everything turn, turn, turn…there is a season…and a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, a time to die…” The lyric is taken from a biblical text found in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3.
The text reminds us there are seasons in life, as Sir George Martin rightly ascertained. It also reminds us that time is precious and we best make the most out of each season, for we don’t know how long that season will last. I was having coffee one morning with a very wise man and he said something I will never forget, “Joe, you can always make more money, but you can’t make more time.”
A time to… Note to self-Are you maximizing your precious time? Are you doing what you were called to do? Do you love enough, give enough, and listen enough?
Rick Warren put it simply, “If you’re alive, there’s a purpose for your life.” Go find it and live it!
POSTSCRIPT
When I got up this morning I was saddened to read the news that George Martin had passed away yesterday, a day after the blog “Seasons” posted. He was 90 years of age. His contribution to the music industry will live on as his legacy. My prayers are with the Martin family as they go through their time of loss.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Great post, and ever so timely.
Speaking of time – no you can’t make more of it, and we never have enough of it. I remember someone once told me that everyone has 24 hours in a day. We were speaking of not having enough time, and referring to individuals who seem to fit 2 lifetime’s worth of time into one lifetime. So true. I’m always trying to capitalize on my own 24/7 but I still don’t know where much of it goes.
I treasure today, because who knows what tomorrow will bring. (Well, we know who knows, but it isn’t me).
Hi Joe,
remember me?… Georges little brother. Wow, that picture of you guys in the garage brought back a lot of neighborhood memories. And names, e.g. Dougie Biggs. Albie Larkin, Chipper Ronnie etc. and Bob Galipoli.
I lost track of him soon after leaving high school.
Me?…I live in Monroe Township NJ. BFA/ MA in Art Education. Despite 40 years of trying was never able to find a job as a public/private school teacher. i’m currently an exhibiting professional (starving) artist. and also teach pottery at a clay studio as well as private drawing painting lessons to school age children in the Princeton area.
Be well…peace